ALL THINGS LICENSING
It is clear that cross-border hiring is a focus for both licensing auth- orities and the trade. It is equally clear that there are arguments both for and against the practise, and a lack of consensus about a resolution was highlighted during
THE FULL DfT TAXI PASSENGER NOTICE
The passenger will: • Treat the vehicle and driver with respect and obey any official notices (for example, in relation to eating or drinking in the vehicle).
• Ensure they have the means to pay the fare before travelling. If wishing to pay by credit or debit card or to stop en route to use a cash machine, check with the driver before setting off.
• Be aware of the fare on the meter and make the driver aware if it is approaching the limit of their financial resources.
• Be aware that the driver is likely to be restricted by traffic regulations in relation to where they can stop the vehicle.
REMOTE PRIVATE HIRE AND HACKNEY CARRIAGE ACTIVITY
Finally, following on from the series of articles in PHTM from March to May 2022 about cross-border hire, and my editorial in December 2022’s edition of PHTM about how councils could work together for potential solutions; Institute of Licensing President and renowned taxi licensing solicitor and author, James Button, has written an article in the latest edition of the Journal of Licensing produced by the IoL on remote activity of hackney carriage and PHVs.
The article seeks to explain the legal basis, referencing some of the many senior court decisions, which have examined licensed vehicles operating remotely, i.e. away from the district in which they are licensed, and offers an explanation as to how the practice is considered lawful.
The article is available at:
https://www.instituteoflicensing.org/media/kleeo1rr /jol-37-november-2023-web-version.pdf
12 the Task and Finish Group discussions.
It is also clear that the much anticipated update to the Best Practice Guidance will not resolve the problem. Comprehensive discussion about out of area working and how this could be addressed is conspicuous by its absence in the new version.
Certainly, the fragmented approach to regulating the trade across the country, particularly the approach taken by some large-scale issuers of licences as well as the Government’s indifference to resolving the issue, means out of area working is unlikely to go away unless something changes drastically. It is perhaps only a matter of time before some of the smaller authorities experience consid- erable difficulties in being able to set standards and regulate the trade locally, which is hardly conducive to the public safety aim intended by the Government of a supposedly local licensing regime.
Whilst I will still be hoping for an unlikely Christmas gift that this matter will be resolved, in the meantime I can only wish PHTM readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
If you are stuck for a Christmas present, certainly the sheer amount of activity in 2024 is likely to mean that membership of the IoL should be a must for members of the trade to put on their list. There are many benefits to membership, including access to the IoL publications and attendance at IoL events, many of which are free to members where the latest licensing issues are discussed. With membership starting at only £72 for the year,
I
cannot think of many other presents which will offer such good value and which will not be put away to be forgotten about by Easter.
For full details, please visit:
www.instituteoflicensing.org.
DECEMBER 2023 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
