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Measures will be introduced to deal with private hire drivers who sound horns to the annoyance of neighbours when arriving to collect passengers.

Age limits of 12 years will be introduced for black cabs and seven years for private hire vehicles (7 years) have also been adopted and facilities must be provided for blind and deaf people to carry dogs.

Wheelchair ramps in hackney carriages will, in future, be clearly marked with the vehicle's licence number to ensure each vehicle carries its own ramps.

The regulations are being introduced along with distinctive signage on private hire vehicles involving stickers on the sides and bonnet of the vehicles to replace unpopular roof signs. In future all private hire vehicles in Manchester will be white.

Decisions have been reached after extensive consultation with the trade to improve public safety. Changes to the licensing conditions will start to come into effect from November and will be fully implemented in five years.

Cheetham councillor Imran Rizvi, deputy chair of Manchester City Council's Licensing & Appeals Committee, said: "These changes are a real step forward in terms of public safety. Members of the public making use of private hire vehicles and hackney carriages will be able to do so with the confidence that the vehicles they use are safe and conform to agreed standards."