Consultation on the Revised Licensing Policy for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire
In July 2020 the Department for Transport (DfT) brought out updated Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards guidance for local councils on their approach to their taxi licensing functions. The updated publication has required a revision of the taxi policy to incorporate the changes outlined by the DfT. For ease we complied a list of the proposed changes.
The draft policy will be subject to consultation for a 12 week period, until Monday 1 February 2021.
Electronic versions of the policy can be emailed on request, alternatively hard copies can be made available subject to COVID restrictions.
Any person who wishes to make observations or comments on the document should do so by February 2021. Comments may be submitted via email to licence@hart.gov.uk or by post to the Hart Licensing Department, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, London Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4AH.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) related advice
Please read the latest updates from HM Government and the NHS and ensure you observe the latest social contact rules when using taxis and private hire vehicles in England.
Mandatory face coverings for passengers
You must wear a face covering when using taxis or private hire vehicles. You will be breaking the law if you fail to do so and could be fined by the Police. A taxi driver or private hire vehicle operator will be entitled to refuse to accept you if you do not wear a face covering. For more information see GOV.UK guidance.
Some people don’t have to wear a face covering including for health, age or disability reasons.
Please also see guidance from The Department for Transport (DfT) for operators and passengers on traveling safely during the outbreak.
Guidance for licensed drivers updated
On 18 November, the Government produced new, specific guidance on action that can be taken by drivers, operators and owners of taxis or private hire vehicles to protect against Coronavirus. You can also read general information on working safely as well as NHS public information on how to slow the spread of the virus.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you must not work and should follow the government's advice regarding self-isolating.
Drivers and proprietors of the vehicle both have a responsibility to ensure to the best of their ability that the vehicle is safe:
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Ideally all customer contact points in every vehicle should be disinfected after every hiring
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Drivers sharing vehicles should clean regularly and when their shift ends
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Licensees should already have a Health and Safety Policy in place, and it is recommended to incorporate a risk assessment relating to the coronavirus
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please also see Safey guidelines for partition screens and Local Government Association - Use of Screens in Private Hire vehicles and Taxis
More information can be found on GOV.UK website.
Licences
Our Taxi licence policy sets out how we carry out the licensing and control of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire trade within our district and the our expectations of applicants and licensees.
Hart District Council Taxi Policy
Further information for Hackney carriage drivers is supplied in our Hackney Carriage Byelaws document.
Becoming a driver
Before becoming a taxi driver - whether private hire or hackney carriage please ensure that you have read our policy and applied for any necessary licences.
The following document sets out the legal requirements for becoming a Hackney carriage or private hire driver within Hart District Council. The document describes the different types of licences required, and the application process:
Safeguarding Information and Training
Fees
Our licence fees are listed in the 2020/21 All Fees and Charges document on our Council Finances webpage and can be paid online
Hackney Carriage licence
All Hackney carriage vehicles often referred to as taxis require a licence. They may ply for hire, be flagged down or hired at a taxi rank. These vehicles have a roof sign and display a yellow plate on the rear of the vehicle. Hackney carriage drivers must also wear an ID badge issued by the Council, which includes his/her photograph.
Private Hire vehicle licence
Private hire vehicles also require a licence and must display a blue plate on the rear and a smaller internal plate. Roof signs are permitted but must not use the words 'cab' or 'taxi'. Private Hire drivers must also wear an ID badge issued by the Council, which includes his/her photograph.
Private hire vehicles must only operate on a pre-booked basis. They may not ply for hire in the street or wait for customers at a taxi rank. Journeys must be pre-booked, normally by phone or in person at a private hire operators office.
Private Hire operator licence
All private hire vehicles and drivers must be booked through a licensed private hire operator. They will usually operate from a business address or may operate a small number of vehicles from their domestic address.
Conditions are included on the licence in respect of record keeping and other matters. The licensed operator may only operate vehicles and drivers licensed by the same Authority who issues the operator licence.
Bookings made may be sub contracted to other licensed operators. However, the operator receiving the initial booking remains responsible for that booking and ensuring that any sub contracted bookings are undertaken using only a licensed operator and licensed vehicles and drivers.
Licence exemption
The Council can allow some vehicles to be exempt from the requirement to display the licence plate on licensed vehicles.
Our Exempt Vehicle Policy sets out our approach to granting exemptions from displaying the licence plate, which should be read before making an application for an exemption.
Any vehicle granted an exemption will be restricted to the type of private hire service and vehicles outlined in the revised policy. No other private hire work will be permitted in exempt vehicles.
Licence extensions and renewals
Renewal fees can be paid in two equal instalments until 11 December 2020. The first instalment must be paid with the application and the vehicle licence holder will receive a reminder to pay the outstanding fee three months from that date.
Taxi Fares
A list of fares for Hackney carriages is below:
Taxi Tariff for hackney carriage vehicles
The council does not regulate fares for private hire vehicles. The cost of a journey will normally be based on a rate per mile. It is recommended that fares are agreed at the time of booking and recorded.
MOT Certificates
Our primary purpose is to promote and ensure public safety. For this reason we will only licence vehicles that have passed an MOT and garage test.
There are some changes to MOT tests because of coronavirus (COVID-19). How this affects you depends on when your MOT is due to expire. For more information please see guidance from GOV.UK.
Refusing journey requests
Hackney carriages
Hackney carriage drivers can only refuse a hiring for a journey within the district if they have a reasonable excuse (section 53 Town Police Clauses Act 1847). A taxi driver can also legitimately refuse to take any hiring which would be for a destination outside the district.
Private hire
Private hire operators don't have to provide a vehicle for anybody, but a refusal cannot be based on a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 (section 4 - age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation). Once bookings are accepted, a contract is in place to provide a vehicle and driver for that hiring.
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
The Council has a duty to publish a list of all wheelchair accessible vehicles across the district.
Here you can view a list of wheelchair accessible vehicles and their contact details.
Taxi trade newsletters
The Licensing Team produces newsletters for the taxi and private hire trade. The aim is to keep licensees informed about latest news and advice. It will also update you on changes to legislation and other matters or issues relevant to their licences.
The Licensing Team frequently consults on taxi and private hire matters. As these matters directly affect the licensed trade, we strongly encourage you to read consultation exercises and any proposed changes. You can provide your views or any feedback to consultation exercises in writing. You can do this by email to licence@hart.gov.uk or by post to the Civic Offices within consultation periods. Your views can then be considered as part of our review into these areas.
If you would like any taxi and private hire related topics to be featured in future newsletters please email us.
How to contact Licensing:
Email: licence@hart.gov.uk
Phone: 01252 622122
