ALL THINGS LICENSING
Article by Mike Smith, Senior Specialist for Licensing and Community Safety at Guildford Borough Council and Vice-Chair of the Institute of Licensing South East Region.
Please note that this article represents my own views which are not presented as the views of the Institute of Licensing or Guildford BC.
December is here and it’s the time of year where the licensed trade comes into its own by taking people to and from festivities and home to see colleagues, friends and family at a time where the weather is dark and cold making driving conditions often treacherous. When you add on top of that the difficulties caused by
experiencing either too much or not enough seasonal cheer, the situation is compounded.
My article this month begins with a few helpful reminders to licence holders so as to ensure that you look after your own safety as much as that of your customers. This leads on nicely from my talk at November’s Institute of Licensing National Training Conference on practical vehicle inspections, a topic which I will pick up in full in another edition of PHTM.
However, as for now the current national interest in taxi and private hire licensing shows about as much chance of subsiding as a huge snowdrift in well below freezing temperatures. The Parliamentary Inquiry continues to publish written submissions and receive in person evidence, including both the publication of my submission (which I am very pleased about and would like to extend my huge gratitude to the Committee Team) and oral evidence from IoL President, James Button, at a session on 19 November. These are well worth a look through and a watch on the Inquiry pages.
Leading on nicely from the latest from the Inquiry, one of the focuses has been on the need for National Standards which seems to be in unanimous agreement from all concerned and again on the 19th November amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill were published which will lead the way to this.
Finally, the other issue under the spotlight during the recent oral evidence session is around out of area working, with concerns again raised by speakers about
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the practice, with the Chair, Ruth Cadbury MP, eluding to the fact that the Committee had heard considerable evidence on this point and likely knew whether their recommendations would go when it came to resolving these concerns. Hopefully this remark is an early Christmas present to us all.
Staying safe
The festive season brings extra demand for licensed vehicles, late-night journeys, and often challenging conditions. Here are some practical steps to help you stay safe:
1. Prioritise vehicle safety customers who may be
Check your tyres: Ensure tread depth meets legal requirements (at least 1.6mm) and tyres are properly inflated. Winter roads can be slippery, so good grip is essential.
Lights and wipers: Test all lights and replace any faulty bulbs. Make sure wipers and washer fluid are ready for wet or icy weather.
Battery and brakes: Cold weather can drain batteries quickly - get yours tested. Check brake performance regularly.
Vehicles tend to get dirtier in the winter months. Ensure your vehicle remains presentable to reflect the professional service you are providing and make sure your number plates and licence plates are not obscured.
2. Plan ahead
Allow extra time for journeys: traffic and weather can cause delays.
Keep your fuel tank topped up: to avoid being stranded. 3. Personal safety
Trust your instincts: If a passenger seems aggressive, consider refusing the fare.
Keep valuables and cash out of sight: use secure storage where possible.
Share your route and destination: with your control centre or a trusted contact. 4. Stay Alert
Fatigue is common during long shifts: take regular breaks and stay hydrated.
DECEMBER 2025 PHTM
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