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when is a taxi not a taxi?
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Author:  grandad [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:49 pm ]
Post subject:  when is a taxi not a taxi?
We have a chap in our area who is going through the process of getting his car plated as a hackney and getting himself a drivers badge. So far he has neither. His car already has the meter fitted and the top sign attached. He has all the stickers for no smoking etc on the car. What he doesn't have is any plates.
Now is he fistly allowed to drive this vehicle around looking like a taxi at all? Secondly, he has been seen picking up and setting down people in the town centre.

He has been reported to the council and they say that they have investigated and he is not carrying passengers for hire or reward, they are just his friends.
Is this legal? At what point would he be committing an offence?
Author:  TDO [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
I don't think there's any law against looking like a taxi or having taxi accoutrements unless there's some attempt to actually operate as a taxi.
Author:  gusmac [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
The top sign alone could be enough to get him charged with plying for hire.
Author:  grandad [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
gusmac wrote:
The top sign alone could be enough to get him charged with plying for hire.


Thats what I thought. Especially when he picks up and drops his "friends and family" where all the other taxis do. :shock:
Author:  TDO [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
So you're saying that any taxi with a top sign on which is out of area is automatically to be deemed to be plying for hire? :shock:
Author:  gusmac [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
grandad wrote:
gusmac wrote:
The top sign alone could be enough to get him charged with plying for hire.


Thats what I thought. Especially when he picks up and drops his "friends and family" where all the other taxis do. :shock:
I assume he has applied for plates? If so, take a few pictures and send them to the council along with an objection to his plates.
Author:  gusmac [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
TDO wrote:
So you're saying that any taxi with a top sign on which is out of area is automatically to be deemed to be plying for hire? :shock:
This isn't a taxi. At the moment it's his personal car. Why drive around with a top sign?
Author:  TDO [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
gusmac wrote:
TDO wrote:
So you're saying that any taxi with a top sign on which is out of area is automatically to be deemed to be plying for hire? :shock:
This isn't a taxi. At the moment it's his personal car. Why drive around with a top sign?


I can't see that it really matters whether it's a taxi or not - applying your logic an out of area taxi would automatically be deemed to be plying for hire without any additional factor being necessary, don't you agree?

As for the person in question, not really wise to run about with a roofsign on, but we all know how long these things can take to sort out, so if he's bought the vehicle and it takes a few weeks to get through the council bureacracy then surely it's unreasonable to expect him not to use the car for private purposes?
Author:  grandad [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
TDO wrote:
So you're saying that any taxi with a top sign on which is out of area is automatically to be deemed to be plying for hire? :shock:


No that is not what I am saying. This car is not yet a taxi but he is picking up and setting down passengers. He must have a very big family and a lot of friends.
Author:  gusmac [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
TDO wrote:
gusmac wrote:
TDO wrote:
So you're saying that any taxi with a top sign on which is out of area is automatically to be deemed to be plying for hire? :shock:
This isn't a taxi. At the moment it's his personal car. Why drive around with a top sign?


I can't see that it really matters whether it's a taxi or not - applying your logic an out of area taxi would automatically be deemed to be plying for hire without any additional factor being necessary, don't you agree?

As for the person in question, not really wise to run about with a roofsign on, but we all know how long these things can take to sort out, so if he's bought the vehicle and it takes a few weeks to get through the council bureacracy then surely it's unreasonable to expect him not to use the car for private purposes?


Point taken.
Wouldn't it also be reasonable for him to remove or cover the sign?
If it's magnetic or bar mounted it would take seconds to remove and put in the boot.

I wonder what his insurance would make of it - especially if he only has private motoring insurance.

Just a thought: If he were joining the police, would he be allowed to buy a uniform and walk around in it for weeks beforehand?
Author:  gusmac [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
grandad wrote:
TDO wrote:
So you're saying that any taxi with a top sign on which is out of area is automatically to be deemed to be plying for hire? :shock:


No that is not what I am saying. This car is not yet a taxi but he is picking up and setting down passengers. He must have a very big family and a lot of friends.
As I said, if he is doing this take pictures and object to his plate.
Author:  Sussex [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: when is a taxi not a taxi?
grandad wrote:
Is this legal? At what point would he be committing an offence?

As soon as he put a roof sign on the motor with the words 'taxi' on display. :wink:
Author:  Sussex [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
TDO wrote:
So you're saying that any taxi with a top sign on which is out of area is automatically to be deemed to be plying for hire? :shock:

No because it is a taxi, albeit not able to ply in that area.
Author:  jimbo [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
When a civilian drives a police car, (at least around here) the blue lights are covered up. Surely he could do the same thing?
Author:  grandad [ Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Apparently as I understand it, the investigation consisted of the enforcement officer ringing him up and asking him if he was working the car as a taxi. :roll: :lol: . I rang the council this afternoon to say that he was out using it again today. They tried to ring him but he wasn't at home, get away it was 3.00 pm and he was on his school run. He has now removed the top sign so we will all be keeping a close eye on how he carries on.
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