Ultra low emissions vehicle specification policy

Ultra low emissions vehicle specification policy

• All vehicles presented and applying for new Woking Borough Council hackney carriage vehicle licence after the relevant date (31 March 2021 or 31 March 2026).
• All vehicles presented as replacements for current (or future) licences, and Woking Borough Council hackney carriage vehicle licences (including replacements for vehicles involved in accidents or deemed un-roadworthy for any reason).
• All new and replacement vehicles, as stated in our ULEZ specifications, superseding any circumstance or reason under which or when, the new/original renewal/replacement licence was issued. For example, but not exclusive to, licences issued pre and post derestriction, via ballot, appeal, demonstrating a need, area/event restricted or other.   
• Any hackney carriage saloon vehicle licence which is due to be replaced with a wheelchair accessible vehicle under our hackney carriage vehicle specification for DDA/wheelchair accessible vehicles.
• Any hackney carriage saloon vehicle licence which is due to be replaced with a wheelchair accessible vehicle under licence originally issued to a DDA/wheelchair accessibility vehicle on 31 March 2021. 

Read our vehicle specification for DDA/wheelchair accessible vehicles (Appendix N) 

Vehicle specification:

• The vehicle must be an ultra low emission vehicle (ULEV1) or electric vehicle. 
• If the vehicle is a saloon or estate type which has four side opening doors. If the vehicle is a minibus, transit or people carrier type it must have at least three doors, not including any tailgate or rear door. 
• The vehicle must be capable of carrying not less than four passengers but no more than eight passengers.
• The vehicle must have sufficient boot/luggage space to carry a folded standard size wheelchair.
• The vehicle must have a calibrated taxi meter which complies with our guidance on taxi meters. (See section 3.23 of the taxi and private hire handbook, and licensing conditions listed in Appendix L of the handbook).
• The vehicle must have a minimum engine capacity of 1400cc. Any hybrid/LPG, electric or other alternatively powered vehicle must have an equal power output to a 1400cc engine.
• The vehicle’s windscreen and front side windows must comply with national legal tint specifications. All other windows must allow enough light through for a person situated 20 meters away to be able to see the number of passengers in the vehicle during daylight.
• All hackney carriages must be equipped with a card payment terminal which accepts payment by credit/debit card, including contactless, and be able to issue a receipt. The device must be connected, maintained and working at all times to ensure customers are able to pay by card.

Vehicle age limits:

• When a vehicle is first presented for licensing, the vehicle should not be more than five years old. 
• A saloon type vehicle (saloon, estate or MPV) will remain eligible for licensing, subject to passing the inspection process, until it is 10 years old. 
• A purpose built hackney carriage will remain eligible for licensing, subject to passing the inspection process, until it is 15 years old.