WELL SOME OF IT AT LEAST!
these areas to identify any concerns and issues that might arise from a proposed change. The implementation schedule of any changes that affect current licence holders must be transparent and communicated promptly and clearly.”
The subject of accessibility We have long stated that there are issues with wheelchair accessible vehicles, especially for those councils that will not license a rear loading vehicle; this is now repeated in the BPG. Two key aspects which are hot topics are: l
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time-limited, the licensee has requested a shorter duration or the licence is only required to meet a short-term demand. Taxi and private hire vehicle licences should not be issued on a ‘probationary’ basis.”
Finally, some clarity; we have come across some councils that insist that a driver may only have a one-year licence for a period of time until they have proven themselves.
ranks provided with inadequate space to deploy a ramp. Bus lanes and restricting access to town centres.
street design which prevents taxis and private hire vehicles from stopping close to destinations.
Authorised officers “Licensing authorities should, where the need arises, jointly authorise officers from other authorities so that compliance and enforcement action can be taken against licensees from outside their area. An agreement between licensing authorities to jointly authorise officers enables the use of compliance and enforcement powers. This will mitigate the opportunities for licensees to evade regulation. Such an agreement will enable those authorities to take action against vehicles and drivers that are licensed by the other authority when they cross over boundaries.”
Take note here of how many times the word “officer” is specifically stated. This is because such agree- ments are not and cannot be between an entire local authority, it is as stated; a named officer; that officer should have the letter of authority in their possession and be able to show it to any driver on request, which must name the officer personally.
Duration of licences “The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (as amended), the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 and the Plymouth City Council Act 1975 set a standard length of three years for taxi and private hire vehicle driver licences. Any shorter duration licence should only be issued when the licensing authority thinks it is appropriate in the specific circumstances of the case. For example, where the licence holder’s leave to remain in the UK is
PHTM DECEMBER 2023
Repetition of testing “Licensing authorities should require taxi and private hire vehicle drivers to undertake training and/or assessment focused on attitudes and behaviours at first application and renewal.”
We do not agree with this at all, not only do we consider it to be an unreasonable cost, but we do not consider that anything is actually achieved by having standardised repetition of tests and courses which may not have changed in the slightest within a three-year period, we also see a lot of confusion written here. At first test, by all means; where there are complaints concerning driving standards, no problem; but every three years? This achieves nothing but additional costs and time out for an industry that is already struggling. The same applies to safeguarding courses, know-ledge tests (where they apply) NVQ or equivalent where applicable; these courses are highly unlikely to be any different within any given three-year period, apart from the cost aspect, there is also an availability issue of courses and assessments.
6.6 Medical and vision assessment “Licensing authorities should apply the Group 2 medical required for an entitlement to drive lorries (category C) and for buses (category D). For category C and D licences, the Group 2 licensing entitlements must be renewed every five years or at age 45, whichever is the earlier, until the age of 65 when they are renewed annually. Shorter licences may be issued for medical reasons.”
Here we see some confusion which effectively could mean a full Group 2 medical being undertaken five times within a ten-year period, and some conflict in terminology too. It is our understanding that the Group 2 medical was annually until the age of 45 and then every 5th year, not once every 5th year regardless as is suggested here. But the next paragraph throws more confusion into the mix.
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