Purpose

In
September 2024, the Licensing Committee agreed to recommend to the
Portfolio Holder revisions to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire
Licensing Policy. The Portfolio Holder was part of the Committee,
which agreed revisions subject to the Chair’s final sign off,
which was received on 22 October 2024.
 

The following changes have been agreed:
 

Appeal Process
Revisions to the appeal process, where an applicant has been
refused a licence under the previous prosecution policy, once the
officer has advised of the refusal, the right of appeal will be to
the Magistrates Court (previously able to appeal to the Licensing
Panel).
 

Safeguarding Training
Some
changes have been made as a result of the Department for
Transport’s Best Practice Guidance, and there are some local
revisions also including:
Safeguarding training for new applicants must include disability
awareness and must be undertaken in a classroom setting (online or
remote) by a Council approved course provider.
 

Competency Tests
A
maximum of 3 competency tests may be taken before the application
will be refused. A new application can be submitted after three
months.
 

Vehicle Write-Offs
Category A, B, N or S insurance write-off vehicles will not be
permitted, to further enhance driver and passenger safety and
vehicle standards. 
 

Wheelchair accessible private hire
vehicles
Wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles can be licensed if
they meet a minimum Euro 5 emission standards.
 

Daily vehicle checks
 
As per
the Dft guidance, a requirement that drivers/proprietors undertake
a daily vehicle inspection.
 

Driver Handbook
The
driver handbook has been deleted.
 

Appendices
 
For
clarity, these are now separate to the policy document.

Content

Approved.