Use of tinted windows in taxis and private hire vehicles consultation 2023

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Consultation has concluded

Why we are consulting

In Bristol, there are restrictions on the use of glass tinted windows for Hackney carriage (taxis) and private hire vehicles. The current rules for taxis and private hire vehicles licensed by Bristol City Council (known as licensed vehicles) limit the amount of tint permitted for rear side windows, so they allow at least 65% of light through. The rules for front windscreens, front side windows and rear windscreens in licensed vehicles are the same as those for all vehicles used on the road.

Bristol City Council is consulting on whether the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021-2026 should be amended to permit rear side glass windows to be more tinted (i.e. they would appear darker and let less light through) on licensed vehicles.


What happens next?

All responses to this consultation will be analysed and the feedback will help us develop proposals for whether to amend the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021-2026, or keep it unchanged.

The final decisions about the proposals will be taken by the Public Safety and Protection Committee. We expect the Public Safety and Protection Committee will decide on whether to amend the policy, or keep it unchanged, during late 2023 / early 2024. The Public Safety and Protection Committee will take responses to the consultation into consideration when making their decisions.



Why we are consulting

In Bristol, there are restrictions on the use of glass tinted windows for Hackney carriage (taxis) and private hire vehicles. The current rules for taxis and private hire vehicles licensed by Bristol City Council (known as licensed vehicles) limit the amount of tint permitted for rear side windows, so they allow at least 65% of light through. The rules for front windscreens, front side windows and rear windscreens in licensed vehicles are the same as those for all vehicles used on the road.

Bristol City Council is consulting on whether the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021-2026 should be amended to permit rear side glass windows to be more tinted (i.e. they would appear darker and let less light through) on licensed vehicles.


What happens next?

All responses to this consultation will be analysed and the feedback will help us develop proposals for whether to amend the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021-2026, or keep it unchanged.

The final decisions about the proposals will be taken by the Public Safety and Protection Committee. We expect the Public Safety and Protection Committee will decide on whether to amend the policy, or keep it unchanged, during late 2023 / early 2024. The Public Safety and Protection Committee will take responses to the consultation into consideration when making their decisions.