Re-imposing a seven-year age limit on private hire cars in Glasgow will force drivers off the road, the council has been warned.

Councillors are meeting today to decide to put the rule, which was in place before the pandemic, back into force.

It means that a car must be no more than five-years-old at the time of being granted a licence and after seven years can no longer be used as a private hire car.

READ MORE:Age rule for private hire cabs set to be re-imposed in Glasgow

The Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA), however, said given the increased cost of newer cars and delays in supply many drivers will not be able to comply.

It also said it was not invited to a meeting, where the council said it consulted with the trade.

The SPHA has written to the councillors on the committee who will decide.

Eddie Grice, of the SPHA, said: “Private hire drivers are facing a cost-of-living crisis. We are dealing with a cost-of-fuel crisis. We are experiencing ever-increasing vehicle purchase prices.

“All this coming as we are still in the mode of rebuilding from the negative effects of the pandemic. Reintroducing a seven-year age limit will have a profoundly negative effect on private hire drivers.”

The association highlighted the cost of buying newer vehicles.

An example given was a Skoda Octavia, a popular car with private hire owners.

It said the oldest vehicle an operator could buy would be a 2021 car which would cost £24,498 or £476 per month.

But a 2018 model, which would still be compliant with the council’s Low Emission Zone, would cost £14,998 or £303 per month.

READ MORE: Thousands more Glasgow children in poverty after pandemic

The association said if this was to be purchased and taken out of service after the seven year limit, then it would be financed over two years and cost £671 per month.

And it said drivers have reported that a new vehicle, which costs more, has a waiting time of up to one year.

The SPHA wants a ten-year limit and argues that the majority of councils in Scotland have a limit of more than seven years.

It also said there are safety concerns with drivers likely to work more hours to pay the increased costs.

The council noted it will likely have a financial impact on some operators but said the proposal has support.

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. “

The committee is meeting today to discuss the policy.