The Licensing Committee of South Kesteven Council convened on Friday, 28 June 2024, to discuss updates to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. Key decisions included the retention period for vehicle check documentation, the introduction of driver proficiency training, and the establishment of vehicle age limits.

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy - SKDC Consultation Response

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing introduced the report on the council's response to the Department for Transport’s updated guidance. The Licensing Manager presented the findings from the public consultation, which received 205 responses. The committee discussed several key issues and made the following recommendations:

Vehicle Check/Walkaround Documentation

The committee recommended that evidence of vehicle checks be retained for 12 months. This decision was made to ensure compliance and enhance safety standards.

Retaining documentation for 12 months will provide a clear audit trail and ensure that vehicle checks are consistently performed, said the Licensing Manager.

Driver Proficiency

The committee agreed to add a requirement for taxi and private hire drivers to undertake training and/or assessment focused on attitudes and behaviours. This addition aims to promote safer driving and increase public confidence in drivers.

This training will help drivers improve their skills and ensure they maintain a professional attitude, noted a committee member.

Vehicle Condition Check

The committee recommended the introduction of required daily vehicle checks, with a penalty of 3 points for non-compliance. This measure is intended to ensure that vehicles are always in a safe condition.

Daily checks are crucial for maintaining vehicle safety and preventing accidents, argued one member.

Vehicle Age Limits

The committee discussed the age and mileage of vehicles, ultimately recommending that vehicles be registered after September 2015 to ensure Euro 6 compliance¹. Additionally, an upper age limit of 15 years for all types of vehicles was proposed.

Euro 6 compliance is essential for reducing emissions and ensuring environmental standards, explained the Licensing Manager.

Legal Powers and Fare Setting

The committee debated the introduction of a maximum fare scale but decided to maintain the current policy, which allows proprietors to set their own rates. The decision was based on the belief that market forces should dictate fare prices.

While complaints about fares are noted, we believe that deregulation allows for competitive pricing, stated a committee member.

Flexible Transport Services

The committee discussed promoting flexible transport services, such as shared taxis and private hire vehicles. They recommended including provisions for advance bookings and taxi & private hire vehicle buses in the policy. However, they requested more information before making a decision on immediate hiring for shared taxis.

Flexible transport services can significantly improve accessibility and convenience for the public, said the Cabinet Member.

For further details, you can refer to the full minutes of the meeting.