Another taxi-licensing authority has decided to compel cabbies to take card payments.

Tonbridge and Malling council will change its private hire and hackney carriage policy to require cab drivers to accept card payments, after considering responses to a two-month public consultation.

Drivers will also be barred from refusing to take passengers on short journeys.

Those breaking the new rules will receive penalty points on their taxi licence and a two-week suspension.

Medway Council has already voted to make card machines in cabs compulsory, while Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells councils are in the process of following suit.

Tonbridge and Malling received more than 80 responses to a consultation, including feedback from taxi drivers.

But a recommendation to make CCTV mandatory in every taxi was deferred to a later meeting for further research to be undertaken.

Cllr Des Keers, Tonbridge and Malling council’s cabinet member for community services, said: “The comments we received were very constructive.

“The updated regulations are a testament to our commitment to enhance the taxi service in Tonbridge and Malling.”

The changes to the policy come into effect on December 1.

One change that might be less welcome to forgetful passengers is the length of time cabbies will be required to hold on to lost property left in their cabs before disposal – reduced from 12 months to two months.