Decision

REVISED PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER, PRIVATE HIRE
VEHICLE, AND HACKNEY CARRIAGE VEHICLE CONDITIONS
The Licensing Officer informed Members that
the conditions attached to driver and vehicle licences had remained
the same for several years. In order to review and revise
conditions consultation letters were sent out to a random 10% (253
in total) selection of drivers, vehicle owners, and Operators,
which resulted in eight responses.
 
RESOLVED – Members considered a number
of proposed/revised conditions to be attached to the issue of any
Private Hire Driver’s licence and to the issue of any Private
Hire Vehicle licence under sections 51 and 48 respectively of the
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, and revised
conditions to be attached to the issue of any Hackney Carriage
Vehicle licence under section 37 of the Town Police Clauses Act
1847.
 
The proposed Private Hire Driver Conditions
were accepted as reported in Appendix ‘A’ subject to
the following change:-
Tampering with the
taximeter – An accurate electronic calendar controlled
taximeter, of a type approved by the Licensing Department, if fixed
in the Private Hire Vehicle, must be in a position clearly visible
to passengers. No owner or driver may tamper with the mechanism of
the taximeter, or its seals, and it must be maintained in a good
mechanical condition at all times. When in operation the taximeter
will clearly show a fare not exceeding that which the owner or
driver is entitled to demand. The meter/PDA should not impede the
driver’s view.
 
Note: Licence
renewal reminders are sent, however, responsibility for renewal
rests with the licence holder irrespective of whether or not the
reminder is received.
 
 
The proposed Private Hire Vehicle Conditions
were accepted as reported in Appendix ‘A’ subject to
the following changes:-
Delete paragraph 4
– If a vehicle is being licensed for the first time as a
Private Hire Vehicle it must either be a brand new vehicle or newer
than the existing licensed vehicle it is replacing - to allow
Licensing Officers to consider representations received.
 
Convictions –
if a driver receives any cautions, convictions, fixed penalties, or
has a court case pending, he/she MUST inform the Licensing
Department WITHIN 7 DAYS of being formally notified of any such
charge, fixed penalty, summons, caution, or conviction, or in the
case of a custodial sentence as soon as reasonably practicable.
 
Transfer of Interest
– The owner shall notify the Council in writing, giving the
name and address of the new owner, within 7 days if he transfers
his interest in the vehicle to another person.
 
Accidents –
The owner/driver shall notify the council as soon as practicable,
or in any case within 72 hours of any accident, irrespective of
injury, where any mechanical or body damage is sustained, or damage
which materially affects the safety, performance, appearance,
comfort, or convenience of passengers. An inspection should be
booked for the vehicle to be inspected by a Licensing Officer and
the Private Hire Licence Plates are liable to be removed from any
vehicle which in their opinion constitutes a danger to the public
or is unfit for use as a Private Hire Vehicle. On completion of the
repairs, to the satisfaction of the licensing officer, the plates
may be restored. If an accident management vehicle is used the
owner or driver will adhere to our accident management policy,
available upon request.
 
Carriage of Animals
– Drivers are obliged to carry a guide dog or assistance dog
belonging to a passenger, free of charge, unless the driver has a
proven medical condition, confirmed in writing by a Medical
Practitioner, and has been granted an exemption by the Council. The
driver will not carry animals in the vehicle whilst working except
for those carried in connection with the hirer of the vehicle.
 
 
The proposed Hackney Carriage Vehicle
conditions were accepted as reported in Appendix ‘A’
subject to the following changes:-
Note: Licence
renewal reminders are sent, however, responsibility for renewal
rests with the licence holder irrespective of whether or not the
reminder is received.
 
Transfer of Interest
– The owner shall notify the Council in writing, giving the
name and address of the new owner, within 7 days, if he transfers
his interest in the vehicle to another person.
 
Carriage of Animals
- Drivers are obliged to carry a guide dog or assistance dog
belonging to a passenger, free of charge, unless the driver has a
proven medical condition, confirmed in writing by a Medical
Practitioner, and has been granted an exemption by the Council. The
driver will not carry animals in the vehicle whilst working except
for those carried in connection with the hirer of the vehicle.