Private hire cars more than seven-years-old will be taken off the road if plans to reimpose an age limit on vehicles goes ahead.

The council is considering reintroducing the seven-year rule, which was relaxed during the pandemic.

Private hire owners were allowed to keep running cars because of problems sourcing new ones and drivers and owners suffered a drop in income.

READ MORE:Thousands more Glasgow children in poverty after pandemic

The rule had been in place since 2006, which also meant no car more than five-years-old would be granted a licence and cars had to be taken out of service after seven.

Elaine Galletly, director of legal and administration at the council, said in a report to councillors: “Following a recent consultation by the licensing section with the taxi and private hire trade through a trade group meeting held on August 11, 2022, most representatives in attendance at the meeting were in favour of the seven-year age policy being brought back into effect. “

If the council does re-impose the seven-year age limit it is suggested there should be a “reasonable implementation period” to allow owners to find alternative vehicles.

The report recognised it will likely have a financial impact on some owners.

It noted: “There will be no financial implications for the council.

“There may be additional costs for private hire car operators in achieving compliance with the age policy.”

The rule does not affect Hackney taxis in the city - only licensed private hire cars.

READ MORE:Some taxis could get extra time to comply with Glasgow Low Emission Zone

The Glasgow Times reported earlier this week how the council could agree to an extension to the Low Emission Zone for Hackney cabs, many of which faced bills of tens of thousands of pounds to comply.

It is being proposed that enforcement for taxi operators who don’t have access to funded retrofit solutions to meet the LEZ minimum emission standards will be granted an additional extension until June 2024 to comply.

All other vehicles driving into the city centre must be compliant with the rules by June next year.