Taxi Driver Online

Most of this is pretty unremarkable.

But the paintwork stuff is interesting - never heard of that before

And the card payments thing...


Pembrokeshire taxi rule changes backed by licensing committee

https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/152329 ... ober-2026/

Stronger driver checks and new vehicle standards recommended, with full council still to decide

CHANGES to the licensing policy for Pembrokeshire’s taxis have been backed by councillors, but a final decision will be made by full council.

At its October 22 meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing committee considered a revised taxi policy drawn up after a public consultation on an earlier draft.

The committee’s backing is a recommendation for full council to approve the policy at a later meeting.

A report said the committee considered the draft policy in May and approved a six-week public consultation, which has now ended.

t said: “A total of 30 responses were received from licence holders and residents of Pembrokeshire. Following the consultation, officers have considered all responses received and undertaken a further detailed review of the policy.”

The main proposals include compulsory DBS Update Service subscriptions for licensed drivers, six-monthly DBS checks, updated Institute of Licensing suitability guidance, revised medical assessment intervals, stronger safeguarding and disability training for new applicants, and tougher duties for private hire operators.

A minimum Euro 6 emissions standard is proposed for vehicles first licensed from January 2027. The rule would not apply when an existing vehicle’s licence is renewed, provided that licence has not lapsed.

Paintwork and passenger payments

One issue raised was an increase in licensed vehicles being presented with textured protective coatings, commonly referred to as “Raptor” paintwork.

The report said: “Licensing officers and council garage testers raised concerns regarding the suitability of this type of finish for licensed public service vehicles, including its appearance and the potential for a textured finish to make assessment of the underlying condition of vehicle bodywork more difficult.

“As a result, an additional proposed vehicle licence condition was added to the draft policy requiring: ‘paintwork to be maintained in good condition, of a uniform colour and to a high-gloss, smooth finish’.”

The review also clarified how three-year driver licences would work if a driver’s right to work or DVLA licence expires, and warned that failing to provide a satisfactory medical certificate could lead to suspension.

Other proposals include displaying a council feedback and complaints notice in licensed vehicles and allowing later payment after a failed card transaction, instead of requiring customers to travel to an ATM in rural areas.

Officers said the final policy “represents a proportionate balance between the council’s responsibility to protect the public and the need for a practical and sustainable licensing framework for the taxi and private hire trade”.

The report said the recommendation “provides a clear, transparent and consistent framework for the administration and enforcement of taxi and private hire licensing in Pembrokeshire”.

It added: “It introduces updated licence conditions that are consistent with Welsh Government guidance and will better prepare the taxi trade in Pembrokeshire should a Wales Taxi Bill be progressed.”

Committee members approved the recommendation, with the final decision to be taken by full council at a future meeting.

Where to start with that?

Throws up all sorts of questions. But one of those things that probably sounds like a good idea from behind a desk, but not at the coalface. That said, the whole card thing sounds good from behind a desk, but not so much at the coalface

So if the Raptor paint makes "assessment of the underlying condition of bodywork more difficult", then what's the problem? That's what a paint job's supposed to do, surely?

That said, apparently the Raptor paint can be applied with a brush or roller

Unelected pen pushers dictating what we can and cannot do.

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IDFIMH

I wonder how many meetings officers had to come up with that little nugget.

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IDFIMH

Idiots, absolutely clueless, brain-dead idiots.

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IDFIMH