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PART 2
CONDITIONS OF FITNESS
The Conditions of Fitness in Part 2 are operative from 1 January 2007. Vehicles type approved before this date remain subject to the conditions in force at the time of approval except that the conditions in paragraphs 15.1 and 15.2 apply to all licensed vehicles.
5
General construction
5.1
Every new type of taxi must comply in all respects with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle (Type Approval) Regulations 1980, the Motor Vehicle (Type Approval) Regulations (Great Britain) 1984, the Motor Vehicles (EC Type Approval) Regulations 1998 and with any further national or international legislation as may be applicable. They must also comply in use with the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (C & U). Every new type of taxi offered for approval must comply in all respects with British and European vehicle regulations and be “type approved” to the requirements of the M1 category of European Whole Type Approval 70/156/EEC as amended. Those taxis which have not been “type approved” to the M1 category (e.g. conversions) must be presented with approved certification that the specific vehicle meets the requirements of that category.
5.2
Taxis offered for type approval must be so constructed as to facilitate the carriage of disabled persons and must be capable as a minimum of accommodating a disabled person in a DfT reference wheelchair in the passenger compartment.
Modifications
5.3
No fittings, other than those approved, may be attached to, or carried on the inside or outside of, the vehicle.
5.4
No modification may be carried out to a taxi without prior approval from the PCO. Before considering any unapproved modification to a taxi, approval must be sought from the PCO.
5.5
Guidance for in-cab modifications such as surveillance systems, etc. may be obtained from the PCO.
6
Steering
6.1
The steering wheel must be on the offside of the vehicle.
7
Manoeuvrability requirement
7.1
The vehicle must be capable of being turned on either lock so as to proceed in the opposite direction without reversing between two vertical parallel planes not more than 8.535 metres apart.
7.2
The wheel turning circle kerb to kerb on either lock must be not less than 7.62 metres in diameter.
N.B. These requirements were fully reviewed in 2005 (See PCO Notice 43/05).
8
Tyres
8.1
All tyres must comply with the relevant legislation. Specifically, retread tyres must comply with BS AU 144E as amended and be marked accordingly.
8.2
Tyres must be of the designated size, speed and weight rating for that make and model of vehicle as prescribed by the vehicle manufacturer. Conditions of Fitness 2007 Page 6 of 12 Issue v2.0 February 21 2008
9
Brakes
9.1
An anti-lock braking system is to be fitted.
10
Interior lighting
10.1
Adequate lighting must be provided for the driver and passengers.
10.2
Separate lighting controls for both passenger and driver must be provided. In the case of the passenger compartment, an illuminated control switch must be fitted in an approved position. This must be within reach of wheelchair passengers. Lighting must also be provided at floor level to each passenger door and be activated by the opening of the doors.
11
Electrical equipment
11.1
Any additional electrical installation and/or after-market components to be used within the taxi must meet the requirements of the relevant Automotive Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive, as amended, and be marked accordingly.
12
Fuel systems
12.1
A device must be provided whereby the supply of fuel to the engine may be immediately cut off. A manually operated device must have its location together with the means of operation and “off” position clearly marked on the outside of the vehicle. In the case of a vehicle fitted with an automatic inertia fuel cut off switch, no markings are required. Any engine powered by liquid petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), liquid natural gas (LNG), petrol or any combination of these fuels must be fitted with an automatic inertia fuel cut off device. They must also have a manually operated fuel cut off device externally mounted which is easily visible and readily accessible at all times from the outside of the vehicle with its location and means of operation clearly marked.
13
Exhaust systems
13.1
New taxi models must meet the current and relevant EC Directive for exhaust emissions, i.e. the respective Euro standard. Current taxi models must meet prescribed emission standards (currently Euro 3 for NOx and PM10 by July 2008).
14
Body
14.1
The body must be of the fixed head type with a partially glazed partition separating the passenger from the driver.
14.2
The overall length must not exceed 5 metres. This is essential for determining the size of taxi ranks, other pick-up points and for the free access and flow of other vehicles in London’s congested streets.
15
Facilities for the disabled
15.1
Every taxi must be equipped to approved standards in order that wheelchair passengers may be carried.
15.2
Approved anchorages must be provided for wheelchair tiedowns and the wheelchair passenger restraint. These anchorages must be either chassis or floor linked and capable of withstanding approved dynamic or static tests. Restraints for wheelchair and occupant must be independent of each other. Anchorages must also be provided for the safe stowage of a wheelchair when not in use, whether folded or otherwise, if carried within the passenger compartment. All anchorages and restraints must be so designed that they do not cause any danger to other passengers.
Conditions of Fitness 2007 Page 7 of 12 Issue v2.0 February 21 2008
15.3
The door and doorway must be so constructed as to permit an unrestricted opening across the doorway of at least 75cm. The minimum angle of a hinged door when opened must be 90 degrees
15.4
The clear height of the doorway must be not less than 1.2 metres.
15.5
Grab handles must be placed at door entrances to assist the elderly and disabled. All grab handles must be in a contrasting colour.
15.6
The top of the tread for any entrance should normally be at floor level of the passenger compartment and comply with the following requirements:
a) be not more than 380 mm from the ground, (measured at the centre of the tread width);
b) the surface shall be covered in a slip-resistant material;
c) have a band of colour across the entire width of the edge which shall contrast with the remainder of the tread and floor covering.
Should any entrance be more than 380 mm from the ground, an external interim step must be made available when the associated passenger door is opened and comply with the following requirements-
a) not be more than 380 mm in height from the ground, (measured at the centre of the step width;
b) not be less than 250 mm deep;
c) the surface shall be covered in a slip-resistant material;
d) have a band of colour across its leading edge which shall contrast with the remainder of the step and floor covering;
e) not be capable of operation whilst the vehicle is in motion;
f) if automatic or powered, be fitted with a safety device which stops the motion of the step if the step is subject to a reactive force not exceeding 150N in any direction and if that motion could cause injury to the passenger;
g) can fold or retract so that it does not project beyond the side face of the vehicle and the vehicle is not capable of being driven away unless the step is so folded or retracted.
15.7
The vertical distance between the highest part of the floor and the roof in the passenger compartment must not be less than 1.3 metres.
15.8
Where seats are placed facing each other, there must be a minimum space of 42.5cm between any part of the front of a seat and any part of any other seat which faces it, provided adequate foot room is maintained at floor level.
15.9
Where all seats are placed facing to the front of the vehicle, there must be clear space of at least 66cm in front of every part of each seat squab, measured along a horizontal plane at the centre of the cushion.
15.10
A ramp for the loading of a wheelchair and occupant must be available at all times for use, as a minimum, at the nearside passenger door on all new vehicles presented for licensing. The ramp must have a safety lip, be 70cm wide, as a minimum, and comprise a single non-slip surface. It is desirable for this facility to be available at the offside passenger door also. An adequate locking device must be fitted to ensure that the ramp does not slip or tilt when in use. Provision must be made for the ramp to be stowed safely when not in use.
Conditions of Fitness 2007 Page 8 of 12 Issue v2.0 February 21 2008
16
Passenger compartment
16.1
When fitted, occasional seats must be at least 40cm in width and the distance from the back of the upholstery to the front edge of the seat must be not less than 35.5cm.
16.2
Occasional seats must be so arranged as to rise automatically when not in use. They must be placed at least 4cm apart. When not in use, they must not obstruct doorways.
16.3
The rear seat dimensions must be adequate to carry the appropriate number of adult passengers comfortably.
16.4
Suitable means must be provided to assist persons to rise from the rear seat with particular attention to the needs of the elderly and disabled.
16.5
Lap and diagonal seatbelts must be fitted on all seats (including rear facing seats).
16.6
Colour contrasting sight patches are required on all passenger seats.
16.7
Head restraints must be fitted for all (forward and rear facing) seats. The design of headrests should maximise rear sightlines for the driver when any of the passenger seats are not occupied.
16.8
An induction loop system (or equivalent) must be fitted.
17
Driver’s compartment
17.1
The driver’s compartment must be so designed that the driver has adequate room, can easily reach, and quickly operate, the controls.
17.2
The controls must be so placed as to allow reasonable access to the driver’s seat and, when centrally placed, controls must be properly protected from contact with luggage.
17.3
Every vehicle must be provided with an approved means of communication between the passenger and the driver. If a sliding window is fitted on the glazed partition, the maximum width of the opening must not exceed 11.5cm.
17.4
Where a single-piece glazed partition is fitted, a facility must be provided for making payment to the driver.
18
Visibility
18.1
Driver Visibility
A single-piece, full width rear window must be fitted. The design of headrests should maximise rear sightlines for the driver when any of the passenger seats are not occupied.
18.2
Passenger Visibility
The windows should maximise passenger visibility into and out of the vehicle.
The top of the window line for front and side windows, when measured vertically to the top of the visible portion of the glass, must not be less than 780mm on any glass panel forward of or beside the seated passenger. The vertical distance is to be measured through the E point as defined in Directive 77/649/EEC, from the top of the uncompressed rear forward-facing passenger seat cushion to the first point of totally obscured glass. Manufacturers are to declare conformity to this condition in drawing format.
The bottom of the window line for front and side windows must be low enough to afford passengers adequate visibility out of the vehicle.
A proportion of the window area in the passenger compartment must be available for opening by the seated passenger.
18.3
Windows must permit maximum visibility into, and out of, the vehicle. They must have no more than 25% tint value.
Conditions of Fitness 2007 Page 9 of 12 Issue v2.0 February 21 2008
18.4
Passenger windows must be capable of being opened easily by passengers, including those in wheelchairs, when seated. The control for opening a window must be clearly identified to prevent it being mistaken for any other control.
19
Heating and ventilation
19.1
An adequate heating and ventilation system must be provided for the driver and passengers and means provided for independent control by the driver and the passengers. All switches must be within easy reach of seated passengers, including those in wheelchairs.
20
Door fittings
20.1
An approved type of automatic door securing device must be fitted to passenger doors to prevent them being opened when the vehicle is in motion. When the vehicle is stationary, the passenger doors must be capable of being readily opened from the inside and outside of the vehicle by one operation of the latch mechanism. The door must not open from the inside if the driver has the foot brake depressed. The interior door handle must be clearly identified to prevent it being mistaken for any other control.
21
Fare table and number plate
21.1
A frame must be provided for the fare table and fixed in an approved place. A position for an interior number plate is to be provided with the words “The number of this taxi is….” shown immediately above the position of the plate.
22
Floor covering
22.1
The flooring of the passenger compartment must be covered with a slip resistant material, which can be easily cleaned.
22.2
The floor covering must not impede the movement of wheelchairs. The colour of the floor covering must contrast with any upstand areas around it and with the colour of the seats.
23
Luggage
23.1
Suitable dedicated provision for the secure carriage of luggage must be made, separated from the passenger compartment and proportionate in size to the number of passengers carried.
24
Taximeter
24.1
Taximeters must comply with the regulations set out in the PCO document ‘Approved Taximeters – Specification for use in London 2006’.
24.2
A taximeter of an approved type must be fitted in an approved position. A designated pulse output point must be provided that has a pulse output compatible with the taximeter fitted and, subject to the vehicle and/or taximeter manufacturer’s declaration, operates the taximeter within prescribed tolerances.
24.2
Taximeters must be capable of issuing a receipt that contains prescribed details. If this is achieved by the addition of a printer, it must meet with relevant Automotive EMC Directives, be marked accordingly and fitted in an approved position. The receipt must contain, as a minimum, the date and time of issue, the metered fare, extras and total fare. All of this information must be obtained from the taximeter in a ‘read only’ format. Manually input information is not permitted. Additional information, such as the start time and time taken for journey, distance travelled etc, may be permitted by application to the PCO.
Conditions of Fitness 2007 Page 10 of 12 Issue v2.0 February 21 2008
25
“Taxi” sign
25
A “Taxi” sign approved by the PCO, clearly visible both by day and night when the taxi is available for hire, must be fitted.
26
Radio apparatus
26.1
Where apparatus for the operation of a two-way radio system is fitted to a taxi, no part of the apparatus may be fixed in the passenger compartment or in the rear boot compartment if LPG tanks or equipment are situated therein. Any additional electrical installation and/or after-market components to be used within the taxi must meet the requirements of the relevant Automotive Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive, as amended, and be marked accordingly.
26.2
Any other radio equipment, either in the passenger or driver compartment, must be approved by the PCO.
27
Maintenance
27.1
Vehicles, including all fittings, advertisements, etc., must be maintained to approved standards. The vehicles should always be kept clean and in good working order. Vehicles will at all times be subject to test and inspection and should it be found that a vehicle is not being properly maintained or kept in good working order, a notice will be served on the owner prohibiting him/her using the vehicle until the defect has been rectified.
27.2
Safety-critical parts used for the repair and maintenance of taxis, such as brake, steering and suspension parts, should be approved in advance by the PCO as meeting the requirements of the relevant block exemption regulations.
28
Certificate of insurance and form of holder
28.1
A current certificate of insurance as required by any Acts or Regulations relating to motor vehicles must be carried in a holder securely affixed to the taxi in an approved position. Key information on this certificate, including the registration number (if applicable), the owner’s name and the expiry date of the insurance, must be not less than 12 point font size. The certificate must also state that the policy complies with the requirements of the London Cab Order 1934.
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