Taxi Driver Online

Views sought on Shropshire Council’s taxi licensing policies

TAXI drivers and operators are urged to have their say about proposed changes to licensing procedures.

A public consultation exercise is now underway, running until January 5, as part of a review of Shropshire Council’s hackney carriage and private hire policies and enforcement procedures.

The authority is asking for views about proposed amendments to the existing policy, and on the introduction of a risk-based approach to enforcement.

Comments are particularly welcomed on these issues:

Zoning – should zones for operators remain or be removed?

Vehicle inspection – methods and frequency.

Provision and labelling of first aid kits and fire extinguishers.

Provision of taxi ranks.

Identification of private hire vehicles and hackney carriages.

Age limits on the licensing of vehicles.

Colour of vehicles.

Disabled access to vehicles.

Minimum age/experience for drivers.

Tables of fares.

Driving ability tests and ‘knowledge’.

Plate deposits.

A new risk-based approach to enforcement.

Cllr David Roberts, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for local environment and economy, said changes brought in on April 1 this year must be reviewed within the first year of the new council.

Proposed amendments can be viewed on the council website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/licensing.nsf.

Comments can be sent to the council’s licensing team by email to licensing-central@shropshire.gov.uk, by post to Shirehall in Shrewsbury or by calling 0345 678 9000.

Oct 15 2009 by Gill Broad, Whitchurch Herald

This makes a refreshing change, from the normal do as we say

I tell you what, I downloaded their new licensing regs and they are very clear and easy to understand. EG They clearly state you can have a trailer[not many councils do] on the understanding that it meets their requirements. They will even give you an extra taxi plate to put on it.

The problem with trailers is getting insurance for them.

at what cost? is there a test? age limit?

whats a trailer got to do with a LA, they licence the VEHICLE, are roof racks getting plates too?

_________________
Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Test; yes...Cost; probably an extra £30...Age Limit; no. Why do you want one?

is the trailer plate swappable to whichever trailer you decide to pull?

_________________
Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

3.3 To ensure that a trailer used with a Hackney Carriage (when undertaking the
licensable activity) is maintained to an appropriate standard, they are required to be
inspected annually with the vehicle to which it relates and issued with a plate that
relates to the towing vehicle(s). Advice on trailers can be found in the guidance
notes for private hire and hackney carriages at appendix B.

SHROPSHIRE COUNCIL
HACKNEY CARRIAGE VEHICLE LICENCE
CONDITIONS OF LICENCE
1. Definitions
1.1 “authorised officer” has the same meaning as in Section 80 of the Local
Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
1.2 “the Council” means the Council of Shropshire.
1.3 “the proprietor” includes a part-proprietor and in relation to a vehicle which is the
subject of a hiring agreement, or hire purchase agreement, means the person in
possession of the vehicle under the agreement.
1.4 “hackney carriage” has the same meaning as in the Town Police Clauses Act 1847.
1.5 “vehicle licence” means in relation to a hackney carriage, a licence under sections
37 to 45 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847.
1.6 “zone” relates to the areas of Shropshire district boundaries prior to the formation of
a Unitary Council,
Zone 1: Former District of Bridgnorth
Zone 2: Former District of North Shropshire
Zone 3: Former Borough of Oswestry
Zone 4: Former Borough of Shrewsbury & Atcham
Zone 5: Former District of South Shropshire
2. Applicants
2.1 The applicant for a vehicle licence must be the person who is the legal owner of the
vehicle concerned and entitled to have the ownership of the vehicle registered
under the provisions of Regulation 12 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and
Licensing) Regulations 1971 in their own name. Prior to licensing and thereafter,
as required, satisfactory evidence must be produced in compliance with this
requirement.
3. Vehicles
3.1 must:
(a) Provide sufficient means by which any person in the carriage may
communicate with the driver;
(b) Cause the roof or covering to be kept watertight;
(c) Provide any necessary windows and a means of opening closing not less
than one window on each side. Tinted windows will only be permitted as part
of Manufacturers or specialist coachbuilder’s specification. After market
tinting will not be permitted.
(d) Cause the seats to be properly cushioned or covered;
(e) Cause the floor to be provided with a proper carpet, mat, or other suitable
covering;
(f) Cause the fittings and furniture generally to be in a clean condition at the
start of business each day and be well maintained and in every way fit for
public service;
(g) Provide means for securing luggage if the carriage is so constructed as to
carry luggage;
(h) Provide an efficient fire extinguisher, which complies with the relevant British
Standard and a properly equipped first aid box; both to be carried in such a
position to be readily available for use.
(i) Provide at least three doors for the use of persons conveyed in such vehicle
including a separate means of ingress and egress for the driver. Vehicles
with tilting passenger seats will be permitted at the discretion of a Licensing
Officer.
(j) Vehicles over 10 years old would not generally be licensed by the authority
but each application would be determined on it’s own merits. Vehicles
licensed prior to 01 April 2009 will continue to be licensed up until 2012.
3.2 All vehicles shall meet the Council’s fitness requirements and for this purpose will
be required to attend a six-monthly inspection (and any other inspection deemed
necessary by an authorised officer) at the Council’s approved garage. If at that
time the vehicle is deemed to be not fit for the purpose of passenger carrying then
a notice will be issued and the plate removed. When the vehicle is deemed fit for
the purpose of passenger carrying then a re-inspection will take place and the plate
replaced. If at such inspection the vehicle has minor faults a time period will be
rectified and the vehicle re-inspected. Any mechanically operated ramp would also
be tested at the time of each inspection.
3.3 To ensure that a trailer used with a Hackney Carriage (when undertaking the
licensable activity) is maintained to an appropriate standard, they are required to be
inspected annually with the vehicle to which it relates and issued with a plate that
relates to the towing vehicle(s). Advice on trailers can be found in the guidance
notes for private hire and hackney carriages at appendix B.
3.4 In the event of a proprietor failing to present his vehicle for inspection on the
appointed day and at the time stated, unless delayed or prevented by sufficient
cause approved by the Licensing Officer, may be required to appear before the
designated committee who have the power to suspend or revoke the vehicle
licence.
3.5 The vehicle licence plate provided by the Council shall be displayed at all times and
fitted to the rear of the vehicle in such a way as to be clearly visible. (This must be
fixed to the outside of the vehicle). Plates should be kept clean on all occasions.
3.6 Advertisements, commercial or otherwise, are permitted, subject to the approval of
an authorised officer of the Council.
3.7 All vehicles will be required to carry a ‘TAXI’ roof sign.
3.8 The Proprietor shall give notice to the Council of any transfer in his interest in the
hackney carriage to a person other than the proprietor whose name is specified in
the licence. Such notice shall be given in writing within fourteen days specifying
the name and address of the person to whom the vehicle has been transferred.
3.9 Notification shall be given as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case with
72 hours of the occurrence, of any accident to a licensed vehicle causing damage
materially affecting the safety, performance or appearance of the vehicle, or the
comfort or convenience of persons carried therein.
3.10 Any authorised officer of the Council or any Constable shall have power at
reasonable times to inspect and test the vehicle and to request driver identification
and insurance details. A drivers badge, copies of insurance and MOT certificate
and a Council test satisfaction notice will be kept in the vehicle at all times.
3.11 All vehicles licensed for zone four would be black in colour and be wheelchair
accessible.
3.12 A hackney carriage vehicle would be restricted to working in one zone only.
3.13 Prior approval from the Council is required before installing a CCTV camera in a
vehicle, which will need to be provided by a reputable supplier who holds an
appropriate Data Protection Licence. All vehicles that are fitted with a device shall
have a sign on the outside to alert passengers that images are being collected.
4. Inspection of Documents
4.1 Prior to licensing and thereafter, as required, satisfactory evidence must be
produced that there is in force for the use of the vehicle a policy of insurance or
such security as complies with the requirements of Part VI of the Road Traffic Act
1972.
4.2 The proprietor must ensure that at all times a list is maintained of all licensed
drivers authorised under the policy to drive the vehicle and must make such a list
available to an authorised officer of the Council or Police Constable at all
reasonable times, when so required.
5. Taximeters
5.1 The proprietor of a hackney carriage shall cause the same to be provided with a
taximeter so constructed, attached and maintained, as to comply with the following
requirements, that is to say:-
(a) The taximeter shall be fitted with a key, flat, or other device, the turning of which will
bring the taximeter into action and cause the word 'HIRED' to appear on the face of
the taximeter.
(b) Such key, flat, or other device shall be capable of being locked in such a position
that the machinery of the taximeter is not in action and that no fare is recorded on
the face of the taximeter;
(c) When the machinery of the taximeter is in action there shall be recorded on the
face of the taximeter in figures clearly legible and free from ambiguity, a fare not
exceeding the rate of fare which the proprietor or driver is entitled to demand and
take in pursuance of the bylaw in that behalf for the hire of the carriage by distance;
(d) The word 'FARE' shall be printed on the face of the taximeter in plain letters so as
clearly to apply to the fare recorded thereon;
(e) The taximeter shall be so placed that all the letters and figures on the face thereof
shall be at all times plainly visible to any person being conveyed in the carriage,
and for that purpose the letters and figures shall be capable of being illuminated
during any period of hiring;
(f) The taximeter and all fittings thereof shall be so affixed to the carriage with seals
and other appliances that it shall be not practicable for any person to tamper with
them except by breaking, damaging, or permanently displacing the seals or other
appliances.
(g) The taximeter shall be set to reflect the current table of fares approved by the
Council. A lesser fare than that shown on the taximeter at the end of a journey can
be charged.
6. Fares
6.1 A copy of the Council’s current scale of charges shall be clearly displayed in the
vehicle at all times.
7. Alterations to Vehicles
7.1 No material alteration or change in specification, design, condition or appearance of
the vehicle shall be made at any time without the prior approval of the Council.
8. Interior Markings
8.1 The proprietor shall cause to be clearly marked and maintained inside the vehicle in
such a position as to be visible at all times the number of persons conveyed therein
and the number of the licence.

On another earlier document; To ensure that a trailer used with a Hackney Carriage (when undertaking the licensable activity) is maintained to an appropriate standard, they are required to be inspected annually with the vehicle to which it relates and issued with a plate that relates to the towing vehicle(s). Advice on trailers can be found in the guidance notes for private hire and hackney carriages at appendix B.
This condition only applies when the licensable activity is being carried out. Trailers need to be approved for specific vehicles due to the suitability of the vehicle and trailer e.g. towing capacity and weight. A trailer can be approved for more than one vehicle. When the trailer is in use and the licensable activity is taking place a plate relating to the towing vehicles will need to be displayed on the trailer as the plate on the vehicle is likely to be obstructed.

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.