Private hire vehicle licence conditions

Jump to:

Standard conditions attached to the issue of a private hire driver licence

Standard conditions attached to the issue of a private hire driver licence

(These notes are for guidance only and are not a complete summary of the Act)

Identification plates

1. The identification plate shall remain the property of Woking Borough Council at all tmes and shall be affixed to the private hire vehicle, by the proprietor at his own expense, in the following manner:-

(a) At the rear of the vehicle, and

(b) To the exterior of the vehicle, and

(d) In a vertical plane, and

(e) Affixed by bolts or screws in such a manner as to be easily removed by an Authorised Officer of the Council or Police Constable.

2. The proprietor of the private hire vehicle shall ensure the identification plate is maintained and kept in such condition that the information contained on the identification plate is clearly visible to public view at all times.

3. The proprietor of the private hire vehicle shall cause the number of the private hire vehicle’s licence granted by the Council in respect of the private hire vehicle to be kept clearly marked and kept and maintained inside the vehicle in such a position as to be clearly visible at all times to persons being conveyed in the private hire vehicle.

Type of vehicle

4. The proprietor shall ensure that a private hire vehicle is one approved by the Council. No Austin FX4s or vehicles of similar appearance shall be licensed as private hire vehicles.

Condition of vehicle

5. The proprietor shall ensure the private hire vehicle shall be maintained in a sound mechanical and structural condition and be capable of satisfying the Council’s mechanical and structural inspection at any time during the continuance of the vehicle’s licence.

6. The interior and exterior of the private hire vehicle shall be maintained in a clean, safe condition by the proprietor to the satisfaction of the Council.

7. The proprietor shall not allow the mechanical and structural specification of the private hire vehicle to be varied without the consent of an Authorised Officer of the Council.

8. The proprietor of the vehicle shall:

(a) Provide sufficient means by which any person in the private hire vehicle may communicate with the driver during the course of hiring.

(b) Cause the interior of the vehicle to be kept wind and water tight.

(c) Provide any necessary windows and means of opening and closing same with not less than one window on each side of the passenger compartment.

(d) Cause the seats in the passenger compartment to be properly cushioned and covered.

(e) Cause the floor in the passenger compartment to be provided with a proper carpet, mat or other suitable covering.

(f) Cause fittings and furniture of the private hire vehicle to be kept in a clean condition and well maintained and in every way fit and safe for public use.

(g) Provide facilities for the conveyance of luggage safely and protected from inclement weather.

(h) Provide at least two doors for use of persons conveyed in such private hire vehicle and a separate means of ingress and egress for the driver.

Fire extinguisher/first aid kit

9. The proprietor of the private hire vehicle shall provide and maintain to the satisfaction of the Authorised Officer of the Council an efficient fire extinguisher or any other form of fire extinguisher required in writing from time to time by an Authorised Officer which shall be securely fixed to the vehicle and within easy reach of the driver at all times. The extinguisher shall be manufactured to British Standards and shall show the B.S number. All vehicles which go for a test must have a 1 kilo powder type fire extinguisher ABS with gauge. A First Aid Kit of a type approved by the Council shall be carried in the vehicle at all times.

10. The proprietor shall not display or suffer or permit to be displayed on or from a private hire vehicle any sign or notice which consists of or includes the word “Taxi” or “Cab” whether in the singular or plural or “For Hire” or any word or words of similar meaning or appearances to any of those words, whether alone or as part of another word.

Council notes

11. The proprietor shall cause to be affixed and maintained in a conspicuous position in accordance with the directions of an Authorised Officer of the Council any signs or notices required from time to time by the Council.

Passengers

12. The proprietor shall not permit the private hire vehicle to be used to carry a greater number of passengers than the number prescribed in the licence. For this purpose two children under the age of ten shall be counted as one person insofar as the rear seating only is concerned.

13. The proprietor shall not allow any child under the age of ten years to be conveyed in the front of the vehicle without the prior written consent of an Authorised Officer of the Council.

14. The proprietor shall only allow one passenger to be conveyed in the front of the vehicle beside the driver.

Animals

15. The proprietor must carry any passenger accompanied by a guide/assistance dog.

Door signs on private hire vehicles

16. (a) The sign shall be displayed on the front doors of the private hire vehicle only.

(b) The sign shall only give details of the name, address and telephone number of the private hire company from which the licensee obtains his clients.

(d) The proprietor should be easily able to remove the sign should the vehicle’s licence be suspended, revoked or not renewed, and he shall be responsible for its removal.

(e) The proprietor shall submit for the approval of the Council the proposals for the sign prior to its display.

(f) These signs will be compulsory from 1 January 1994.

Licences

17. The proprietor shall deposit the vehicle licence issued by the Council with the private hire operator for whom the vehicle is being used during the time it is so used for that operator.

Two way radios

18. The proprietor shall ensure that any radio equipment fitted to the private hire vehicle is at all times kept in a safe and sound condition and maintained in proper working order.

Convictions

19. The proprietor of a private hire vehicle shall notify the Council in writing of any conviction recorded against him/her by any Court within seven days of such conviction being imposed.

Cheques

20. A licence in respect of which the licence fee has been paid by cheque shall not be effective until the cheque has been cleared.

Change of address

21. The proprietor shall notify the Council in writing of any change in his/her address within 7 days of such change taking place.

Touting, ETC.

22. The proprietor shall not:

(a) Tout or solicit on a road or other public place any person to hire or be carried for hire in any private hire vehicle, or

(b) Cause or procure any other person to tout or solicit on a road or other public place any person to hire or be carried for hire in any private hire vehicle

In this condition: “road” means “any highway and any other road to which the public has access including bridges over which a road passes”.

Drivers

23. The proprietor shall not cause or procure or permit any person who is not the holder of a current private hire driver licence issued by the Council to drive the private hire vehicle.