Our new Council Cheshire West and Chester has just implemented the new rules which include a provision for Executive cars.
12.0 SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES WISHING TO
BE EXEMPT FROM THE NEED TO DISPLAY THE CURRENT PRIVATE
HIRE PLATES & WINDOW STICKERS
For the purpose of this document, such vehicles will be referred to as
“Exempt” vehicles. Application may be made to the Council for a vehicle to
be considered for Exempt status and each case will be determined on its
own merits.
Standard Private Hire works means any bookings for journeys taken less
than 24 hours before the commencement of the journey whereby no
written contract is already in place.
12.1 The decision to grant or refuse an exemption for the display of the current
private hire licence plates and window stickers will be that of the Licensing
& Markets Manager for the Council.
12.2 To qualify as Exempt, the vehicle must ideally be under five years old
unless the vehicle is to be licensed under the Councils Conditions for
Specialist Vehicles, be luxurious and of a higher specification than
standard model vehicles and be of suitable size, appearance and design.
12.3 Any bookings for the undertaking of a journey in an Exempt vehicle must
be made by way of a written contract. Such contracts must be in place for
no less than 24 hours prior to the commencement of the journey.
12.4 Exempt vehicles may not undertake standard private hire work.
12.6 Exempt Vehicles that conduct Private Hire work without a written contract
in place as per condition 12.3 will have their Exempt Vehicle status
withdrawn. They will then be required to display Cheshire West & Chester
standard Private Hire plates on the front and rear of the vehicle and
window stickers.
12.7 Exempt Vehicles shall not display any external markings e.g. operator
details or advertisements.
12.8 Exempt Vehicles shall not commence a booked journey from or within the
immediate vicinity of any Private Hire Booking Facility, except in such
cases where a pre-existing contract, as described in condition 12.3, is in
place.
12.9 Vehicles qualifying for Exempt status will be required to display one or
more Cheshire West & Chester Exempt Vehicle Discs denoting that the
vehicle is a licensed private hire vehicle. Such discs shall be displayed
within their holder in a prominent position such as the issuing officer
deems necessary for that vehicle.
12.10 Vehicles qualifying for Exempt status will be required to carry a copy of
their Private Hire Vehicle licence for inspection (on request) by any
interested party.
12.11 In advance of the journey, the hirer must be advised that the vehicle
dispatched to collect them will not be displaying standard Private Hire
Vehicle Licence plates and window stickers.
12.12 Exempt Vehicles can only be driven by a Dual Licensed (Hackney
Carriage/Private Hire) Driver who is licensed by the same authority from
which the Exempt Vehicle Licence was issued.
12.13 Drivers of Exempt Vehicles must wear their current Dual Drivers (Hackney
Carriage/Private Hire) Badge in such a manner as to be plainly visible at
all times when driving, and will exhibit in the vehicle such other means of
identification as may from time to time, be required by the Council.
12.14 Any breach of the Exempt Vehicle conditions could result in the vehicle
having its Exempt Vehicle status withdrawn; from which point, assuming it
continues to be used as a Private Hire Vehicle, the vehicle will be required
to display the current standard Private Hire Licence Plates and Window
Stickers.
12.15 Applicants for Exempt Vehicle status must sign an undertaking that they
fully understand and accept these conditions.
http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/business/licensing/hackney_private_hire_licence/private_hire_licences/private_hire_policy.aspx
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