Would-be taxi drivers will have to scrap ageing vehicles and face up to mandatory criminal record checks as a proposed licensing shake-up was given the green light.
This means from April 2022 no new licences will be granted in North Tyneside for vehicles more than four years old.
Meanwhile, existing licences will require a vehicle less than eight years old for any future renewals in 2024.
Electric and zero-emission vehicles will be exempt from these age standards.
Other key changes will see the introduction of online applications and mandatory sign ups to the DBS update service.
The authority currently licenses around 183 taxis, 1,030 Private Hire Vehicles, 1,097 drivers and 23 operators in the borough.
North Tyneside Council says the proposals aim to ensure the safety and welfare of the public, encourage environmental sustainability and ensure efficient taxi and private hire services in the borough.
Following an eight-week consultation where almost 100 local drivers, residents and businesses shared their views on the revised policy, the plans were approved by cabinet on Monday.
This comes after North Tyneside Council voted to join Newcastle, Northumberland, Gateshead and Sunderland in declaring a climate emergency in July.
The authority is currently pressing on with its commitment to half its carbon footprint by 2027 and aims to be carbon neutral by 2050.
