Purpose

The Taxi Licensing Service are seeing an
increasing number of licensed drivers advising the Service about
medical conditions which call into question whether they are fit
and proper to hold a licence.

There is a separate driver licence condition that requires
individuals to advise the Service immediately of medical matters
and in any event before driving a licensed vehicle but individuals
may not advise the Service of this for a range of reasons,
including that they want to continue to drive a licensed vehicle
despite the risks. The Service may hear about medical issues from
another driver or other third party, but in more recent instances,
it has become clear that the Private Hire Operator was aware of an
individuals medical issues, but the driver has been allowed to
continue to drive by the Private Hire Operator. The Service are not
concerned about minor matters, but it is an issue where a driver
has suffered a medical episode, had a change in medication or other
matter which impacts their driving ability and/or where they would
not meet the Councils required Group II Medical Standards.

This in turn compromises driver safety, other road users,
pedestrians and the travelling public, presenting a public safety
risk.

Content

The Head of Community Services,
in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Protection, has
agreed that the following be included as a standard condition in
respect of Private Hire Operator Licences and will be incorporated
within Appendix K of the Council’s Hackney Carriage and
Private Hire Licensing Policy as an inclusion to the standard
Private Hire Operator Conditions.

"11.3 In the event that the Licence Holder becomes aware that any
of the following has occurred in respect of a licensed driver on
their circuit, the Licence Holder must notify the Council within 48
hours of such knowledge coming to their attention or sooner if the
Licence Holder considers that there is an immediate risk to public
safety and/or which may impact upon their ability to carry out
their role as a licensed driver and which may mean they are unable
to meet the Group II Medical Standards required by the Council as
Licensing Authority:

(a)That the driver has suffered a medical episode which means that
they may be unable to meet the Group II Medical Standards required
by the Council as Licensing Authority
(b)That the driver has undergone a medical procedure which means
that they may be unable to meet the Group II Medical Standards
required by the Council a Licensing Authority
(c) That the driver has changed medication or commenced new
medication which means that they may be unable to meet the Group II
Medical Standards required by the Council as Licensing
Authority
(d)That the driver has taken medical leave from their role as a
licensed driver and the reasons provided mean that they may be
unable to meet the Group II Medical Standards required by the
Council as Licensing Authority."

Alternative options considered

No other options - this condition is included
to protect driver, pedestrians, other road users and passengers
safety and ensures mechanisms are in place for the Private Hire
Operator to notify the Council as Licensing Authority of medical
issues that may arise as set out above. The primary purpose of the
licensing regime is public safety.