Leicester City Council asked to review taxi age restrictions

Taxi drivers have told the council they are finding it hard to find new vehicles

A review of the rules restricting the age of taxis in Leicester has been launched.

Struggling cab drivers have urged Leicester City Council to relax limits it sets on vehicles when considering licenses.

Currently taxis being licenced for the first time cannot be more than five years old.

The council also will not re-licence any vehicles if they are more than 11 years old.

Public consultation

However, the authority said drivers had told officials there were very few affordable second-hand hackney cabs and would like older vehicles to be eligible for use as taxis.

Both hackney carriage drivers and private hire drivers have said their businesses are under financial pressure caused by falling demand and the cost-of-living crisis, the council said.

The council has agreed to look again at the policy, which was last reviewed in 2012, for all taxis in the city.

A public consultation on potential changes will run until 25 February.