Breckland Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Procedures
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BRECKLAND COUNCIL HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE LICENSING PROCEDURES 1 Index Introduction ............................................................................................................. 3 The Council’s Role in Taxi Licensing ...................................................................... 3 SECTION 1 General Licensing Policy......................................................................................... 8 Part A - All Vehicles ................................................................................................ 9 Part B - Hackney Carriages .................................................................................... 17 Part C - Private Hire Vehicles ................................................................................. 19 Part D – Private Hire Drivers’ Licences................................................................... 21 Part E – Private Hire Operators .............................................................................. 23 Part F – Byelaws..................................................................................................... 24 Part G – Penalty Points System.............................................................................. 25 Appendix A – Manual of Inspection Standards ....................................................... 26 Appendix B - Table of Taxi Meters.......................................................................... 109 Appendix C - Convictions Policy ............................................................................. 110 Appendix D - Byelaws............................................................................................. 114 Appendix E - Map of Breckland District................................................................... SECTION 2 – Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence Conditions ....................................................... 119 SECTION 3 – Private Hire Vehicle Licence Conditions ................................................................. 128 SECTION 4 – Driver Licence Conditions ....................................................................................... 135 SECTION 5 – Drivers Conditions Private Hire............................................................................... 140 SECTION 6 – Private Hire Operators Conditions .......................................................................... 145 2 Introduction Breckland District covers an area of 1,305 sq kilometres and is one of the largest rural districts in England. Nestled just on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, Breckland is centred round the five main market towns of Attleborough, Dereham, Swaffham, Thetford and Watton. There are 107 parishes in Breckland but the majority of the population is centred round these five market towns. Much of the area is given over to agriculture with large open spaces of heathland, known as the Brecks, from which the district gets its name. With its natural beauty, its wealth of history and many other attractions Breckland attracts an estimated 1.5. million visitors each year. Research carried out by the East of England Tourist Board estimates that in 2003 there were 4,914,000 visitors in Norfolk. A map of the Breckland district is at Appendix E The Council’s Role in Taxi Licensing The Council is responsible for licensing all hire vehicles which operate in Breckland district, which are provided with a driver and operated with less than nine passenger seats. There are two types: public hire vehicles (hackney carriages) and vehicles which are only available by prior booking (private hire vehicles). Although the description ‘taxi’ should only be applied to a hackney carriage any hire vehicle is usually known as a ‘taxi’ by the public. Before any vehicle is licensed it is tested at one of the Council’s nominated garages. The test covers the vehicle's mechanics, general appearance which includes the comfort for passengers and the reliability of any meter fitted. Private Hire vehicles may only undertake journeys in response to advance bookings. Breckland Council is also responsible for granting private operators licences for the premises at which these bookings are made. Breckland Council is responsible for the licensing of the drivers of both classes of vehicle. Within the scope of legislation the Council ensures that all drivers are ‘fit and proper persons’ to be licensed by carrying out checks on an applicant’s background. As part of ensuring drivers are suitable for the job, the Council carries out criminal records checks. For more information, visit the Criminal Records Bureau website at www.disclosure.gov.uk. To ensure public safety we also require new applicants to pass a Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Test. The Council also has a responsibility as the 'Enforcement Agency' of the drivers, vehicles and operators it has licensed. Enforcement covers offences related to ‘taxi’ legislation, drivers’ behaviour, the condition of the vehicles and the investigation of complaints made by the public against any licence holder. As well as granting and issuing licences the Council can also suspend or revoke licences and take Court action if necessary against any offending licence holder. Licensing and enforcement is carried out by Council officers appointed ‘Authorised Officers’ for that purpose and they have been issued with written authority to do so as well as having a Council identity badge. 3 Hackney Carriage A hackney carriage should have an illuminated taxi sign on the roof, a ‘for hire’ sign, a white plate fixed to the rear of the vehicle, a Breckland Council sign permanently fixed to both rear doors of the vehicle and a meter inside the vehicle to show the fare being charged. They can be hired from a taxi rank or by being hailed in the street. In addition a hackney carriage can also perform the work of a private hire vehicle and can also be booked over the phone or by visiting the vehicle’s operating centre. A hackney carriage can be a purpose built vehicle, such as the London type black cab, a saloon car or any other passenger vehicle which carries no more than eight passengers. Private Hire Vehicle A private hire vehicle can only be hired by pre-booking it or by visiting the operating centre of the vehicle and private hire vehicle will have a yellow plate fixed to the rear of the vehicle. A private hire vehicle will not have any signs on the roof or a ‘for hire’ sign although it can have a meter. Almost all the owners of private hire vehicles in Breckland choose not to have meters. A private hire vehicle will normally be a saloon car or other passenger carrying vehicle with less than nine passenger seats other than a hackney carriage. Hiring a vehicle The person hiring either a hackney carriage or a private hire vehicle is entering into a contract with the driver of the vehicle or with a firm for them to provide a service. It is up to the individual to ensure clear instructions are given regarding their requirements at the time of hiring the vehicle. If it is a pre-booked call, specify when the vehicle is needed and find out whether a meter is being used or get a quote for the cost of the journey. If a meter is being used in the vehicle the meter cannot be started until the journey begins. Hackney carriages must not charge more than the maximum fare rate laid down by the Council. However they can charge less and many do. Each hackney carriage has to display the Council’s list of maximum fares. Anyone in doubt should look at the meter and compare it with the list of fares. Private hire vehicles are not governed by a Council maximum fare rate and can charge what they like. In the majority of cases the fares for journeys are quoted the same or less than hackney carriage fares. When pre-booking a vehicle, it is sometimes a good idea to get quotes from more than one ‘taxi’ or firm. All hackney carriage and private hire vehicles licensed by the Council must display an identification plate on the rear and outside of the vehicle and the drivers must wear an identification badge. Certain private hire vehicles, such as limousines or luxury and classic vehicle’s, may be exempt, as are some drivers. Any driver or vehicle which is exempt should carry a letter of exemption in the vehicle and the driver must have their identity badge with them. 4 Wheelchair accessible hire vehicles There are a small number of wheelchair accessible vehicles available in Breckland which are licensed by the Council. The Council welcomes views and information from the public regarding their needs for wheelchair accessible vehicles, the availability of currently licensed vehicles or what would help to provide an efficient ‘taxi’ service for people with physical disabilities. Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers Licences In considering applications for Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers Licences and any breaches during the currency of a licence, the Council must be satisfied that drivers are fit and proper persons to hold a Licence. In doing so, they must have regard to all convictions, driving convictions, complaints of unacceptable conduct/behaviour, breach of licence conditions and other convictions obtained during the course of a Licence, including points from the Penalty Points system. When such circumstances occur the Driver will be referred to the Appeals Committee for their consideration. Referral to Appeals Committee Where an applicant or a driver is referred to the Committee for consideration, they will be notified in writing of the reason and the date, time and venue of the