The National Transport Authority (NTA) has today launched a public consultation aimed at improving rural transport services through updated local area hackney licence regulations and related processes.
Proposals include giving communities greater say in whether their area would benefit from a local area hackney as well as allowing multiple drivers to operate it.
The public consultation is open until 5pm on Friday 28 November 2025.
What is a Local Area Hackney (LAH) licence?
The Local Area Hackney (LAH) licence is a special limited licence that aims to assist in the provision of part-time local hackney services in designated rural areas which cannot support a full-time taxi or hackney operation.
Local Area Hackney licences are easier and cheaper to apply for and are intended to enable local operators to provide transport services specifically in their community. Since 2015, the NTA has made many efforts to enhance uptake of this special licence type, including the provision of financial and administrative supports. Despite these efforts, uptake of these special licences has remained low. In an effort to enhance rural transport within local communities, the NTA has now reviewed the related legislation and application processes and made related proposals for their update.
The Local Hackney webpage has more details on the existing approach.
How to submit feeback
Further details on How to submit your feedback to this consultation are now available.
Consultation on proposed increase Local Area Hackney licence uptake
Fixed Payment Notice. consultation
The NTA is also consulting on an update to the form of a Fixed Payment Notice.
That public consultation is also open until 5pm on Friday 28th November 2025.
Further information on the Fixed Payment Notice consultation can be found at: Consultation on the Fixed Payment Notice form.