Document

Private hire operator licence conditions

Wherever there appears in the Licence Conditions a summary of any statutory provisions you are advised that such summary is not exhaustive.

Any requirements of legislation or additional conditions or changes to which affects the operations being carried out under the conditions of this licence shall be regarded as if they are conditions of this licence.

The Council has power to revoke or suspend a licence after conviction for various offences, or for failure to comply with the relevant provisions, or for any other reasonable cause.

1. Records

a) the records required to be kept by the operator under Section 56 of the 1976 Act shall be kept in a suitable form in order to facilitate inspection by any authorised officer of the Council or by any constable and the operator shall take in writing before the commencement of each journey and keep the following particulars of every booking invited or accepted by him, whether direct from the hirer or by undertaking bookings at the request of another operator:

a) The time and date of the booking
b) The name and address of the hirer
c) The name of individual who took the booking
d) The name of the individual who dispatched the vehicle
e) The time of the pick up
f) The point of pick up
g) The destination
h) The time at which the driver was allocated the booking.
i) The name and licence number of driver
j) Identification of the vehicle allocated for the booking, plate number.
k) The agreed fare if not to be calculated by means of a taximeter
l) Remarks (including details of any sub-contract)

b) the records required to be kept by the operator under Section 56 (3) of the 1976 Act shall be kept in suitable form in order to facilitate inspection by any authorised officer of the Council or by any constable and shall show the following particulars with respect to each vehicle operated by him;

a) The registration number of the vehicle
b) The number of the identification plate provided by the Council pursuant to Section 48 (8) of the 1976 Act
c) The name and addresses of all proprietors of the vehicle
d) The names and addresses of all the drivers of the vehicle
e) The number of passengers permitted to be carried in the vehicle
f) Any radio call sign used in connection with the vehicle
g) The date on which he commenced operating the vehicle and, if appropriate, the date on which he ceased operating the vehicle
h) A copy of current private hire/public hire insurance document
i) Any remarks

If a fare is subcontracted, the original operator must be able to show that the contracted operator complies with all conditions 1

(c) The use of a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) driven by a Passenger Carrying Vehicle licensed driver to fulfil a booking without the informed consent of the hirer is prohibited. The hirer must be informed that the driver is subject to different checks and may not have an Enhanced DBS check.

(d) All records kept by the operator shall be preserved for a period not less than 12 months following the date of the last entry.

2. Standards of Service

The operator shall provide a prompt, efficient and reliable service to members of the public at all reasonable times and for this purpose shall in particular:-

(a) Ensure that when a private hire vehicle has been hired to be in attendance at an appointed time and place, the vehicle shall, unless delayed or prevented by sufficient cause, punctually attend at that appointed time and place.

(b) Keep clean, adequately heated, ventilated and lit any premises which the operator provides and to which the public have access, whether for the purpose of booking or waiting.

(d) Ensure that any telephone facilities and radio equipment provided are maintained in sound condition and that any defects are repaired promptly.

3. Change of Address

The operator shall notify the Council in writing of any change of his address (including any address from which he operates or otherwise conducts his business as an operator) during the period of the licence prior to such taking place. This will involve a new application being made for the new trading address.

4. Convictions/Cautions

The licence holder shall give full details in writing to the Licensing Department within 48 hours of any conviction, cautioned or any motoring offence, (or if the operator is a company or partnership, on any of the directors or partners).

The licence holder shall give full details in writing to the Licensing Department within 48 hours of any arrest and release or of being charged for any offence, (or if the operator is a company or partnership, on any of the directors or partners

5. DBS Checks for Staff

The operator shall apply a fit and proper test to all their staff. This shall include an annual basic DBS check for all directors, partners and staff including who take bookings or dispatch vehicles who do not already supply an Enhanced DBS certificate to the Council. This check will also apply to all named directors/partners of the company.

The operator must have a policy on employing ex-offenders as part of the employment contract. The Contract should be required to advise the operator of any conviction while they are employed in this role.

The operator will also be required to keep a live register of all staff that take bookings or dispatch vehicles made available to the Council.

The operator will be required to evidence that they have recorded and seen the basic DBS check on all individuals listed on the register.

All operators will be required to provide their policy on employing ex-offenders in roles that would be on the live register.

6. Drivers

The operator shall ensure that all drivers are licensed and shall hold their licences on deposit and comply with the conditions of the licence.

The operator shall ensure that the driver of the vehicle is covered by a certificate of insurance that shall be displayed in the vehicle which clearly shows that the vehicle is insured and that the driver is entitled to be in charge of the vehicle for public or private hire as appropriate.

7. Vehicles

The operator shall ensure that all vehicles comply with the conditions of licence and shall notify the Council of any damage to vehicles howsoever occurring on an accident report form obtainable from the Council before the vehicle is used further.

8. Advertising

The operator shall not use any advertising or promotion material, letter heading or other stationery or any business name which includes the words 'Taxi' or 'Cab' whether used in the singular or the plural or in conjunction with another word or forming part of a word making up the said business name.

The operator shall not permit there to be displayed in or on any part of a licensed vehicle operated by him any sign notice or advertisement of any kind without first obtaining the written permission of the Council.

9. Limited Co/Partnership

9. Where the operator is a limited company or partnership, it must immediately notify the Council where a partner or director changes.

If any applicant is aggrieved by any of the conditions attached to a licence an appeal may be made to a Magistrates Court within 21 days of the issue of a licence. (See sections 55 and 77 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and section 300 of the Public Health Act 1936.)