Issues relating to the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles

Written evidence from Carlisle Taxi Association (TPH 23)

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The Carlisle Association believe local authorities have through various acts of Parliament and guidelines from both government and stakeholders, all the necessary tools at their disposal to ensure they have a properly regulated taxi and private hire licensing function that will benefit both those in the industry and assure the public of both driver competence and vehicle safety.

Current legislation is workable and proven.

However, we believe section 46 needs a point (f) this should be worded as follows;

46 (f) No person being the driver of a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle shall wait, stand or ply for hire in any controlled district without having;

i. A current vehicle license for that district; and

ii. A current drivers license for that district.

In any proceedings under this section it shall be a defence to show that the driver and vehicle entered the controlled district for the purpose of fulfilling contracts for private hire and that he caused or permitted his vehicle so to wait only for as long as reasonably necessary for the taking up or setting down of passengers and providing any required assistance to those passengers.

In respect of cross border hiring’s and as pointed out above, it is crystal clear that the area where the booking is received should be the one which issues the licenses.

It is ultimately the choice of the customer which company they wish to use, it is the choice of the company if a booking is acceptable and profitable. This will not change whatever legislation is put in place. However, the addition of 46 (f) will ensure vehicles from other districts will not be permitted stand and wait in areas they are not licensed (save for fulfilling pre bookings within a reasonable period).

Whatever legislation is in place, the public always need to be confident that the driver, vehicle and operator are all equally fit for purpose. In our view this will not go beyond what is already in place, it would therefore be a completely senseless move to drastically change what current legislation.

December 2010