A tentative report from the taxi trade
TaxiPoint raised the issue on 23 August in an article by Perry Richardson. Its report was based on information relayed by the unnamed Cab You Drive columnist in the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association’s TAXI newspaper.
The account says a small, unspecified number of fleets may want renters to supply their own tyres. No fleet operator is named, no rental agreement is reproduced and no new arrangement is confirmed. It remains an unconfirmed industry discussion.
A possible shift in responsibility
TaxiPoint describes the idea as a potential departure from the traditional model in which a fleet proprietor maintains the vehicle and replaces components affected by ordinary wear through the rental relationship.
Requiring drivers to provide tyres could create a separate expense, especially for people who rent limited shifts or share a vehicle. Without clear terms, attributing wear to one driver’s period of use could be difficult.
Measuring wear and assigning liability
The underlying column asks how such a policy could be administered fairly, including whether tread would be measured at collection and return before a wear charge was calculated.
That remains hypothetical. The report supplies no formula or inspection procedure and does not resolve who would pay if another vehicle defect produced uneven wear, how disputes would be handled or how responsibility would be divided among renters.
Concern about wider charges
The discussion extends to whether similar logic might one day be applied to brakes, suspension or interior damage. These are concerns about where the idea could lead, not proposals from a named business.
TaxiPoint anticipates driver resistance but cites no survey or consultation. There is no evidence in the article that the suggested change is widespread, agreed or imminent.
Source note
Based on Perry Richardson’s TaxiPoint article, published and updated on 23 August 2026.