IN THE NEWS
READING COUNCIL REINSTATES “ENTITLEMENT TO DRIVE” TO EASE LICENCE RENEWAL DELAYS
Private hire drivers in Reading have hit out at a number of licensing rules and regulations alongside long delays in licence renewals. Drivers say a renewals backlog has meant they’ve been left without licences because they had expired before their applications to renew have been approved. However, thanks to negotiations between the Reading Private Hire Association and Reading Borough Council’s licensing team, drivers were given an ‘entitlement to drive’ so that licence holders could continue working. At a recent meeting of the association, Kamran Saddiq, chairman of the association, said: “We’d like to thank licensing for reinstating the entitlement to drive, that’s been a massive help to
entitlement to drive
had been removed, before being reinstated, because it was being exploited by
some
drivers who were leaving their re- applications to the last minute.
Other issues raised at
all of our drivers, they’re really appreciative of what you’ve done.” However, a backlog for licensing approvals remains. Clyde Mason, a licensing officer for the council pointed out that the entitlement to drive applies to those who have submitted their re-applications six weeks prior to licence termination. Licensing officer Anthony Chawama added that the
‘RESTRICTED PRIVATE HIRE LICENCE’ INTRODUCED IN BLABY
Blaby DC has followed Swansea, Southampton and Eastleigh councils by
introducing a
‘restricted private hire driver licence’. Blaby
Leader, Matthew
Licensing Team Pickering
explained: “Our Local Education Authority (LEA) is seeing a 6% annual increase in the demand for home-to-school transport. Coupled with an increase in taxi/PH drivers leaving the trade during and since Covid, there are demand/supply issues arising. “Our Licensing & Regulatory Committee has now approved the introduction of a restricted private hire driver licence whichis a licence
40
issued to a driver who will ONLY undertake home-to-school contracts on behalf of the LEA. “All journeys must either start or end in Leicestershire, meaning that the children and schools of Leicestershire will benefit. “There are also benefits for the applicant, including the removal of ordinary regulations: • No geographical test required • No written skills test • No numeracy assessment “Taking effect from 1st April 2023, it is hoped this type of licence will help to close the gap - ultimately benefitting Leicestershire’s children and schools.”
the meeting bet-ween association executives and council officers on February 7, included that drivers must attend in-person safe- guarding courses each time they obtain a licence. The association asked for this course to be done online after a driver attends their first course in person.
Mr Mason said the sessions are a statutory requirement but online courses could be looked into. He added that drivers will be notified to attend a safeguarding course on the third year of their licence, giving them 11 months to attend such a course ready for their renewal application. Furthermore, Mr Saddiq questioned the need for roof signs and side panels for PHVs. Currently, drivers have to display either roof signs or side panels to distinguish them from hackneys. Officer Mason said the council’s licensing team was willing to hear proposed changes to the private hire display regime. Mr Saddiq also asked for more clarity on penalties. A driver’s licence will be suspended for 14 days if they acquire 12 points on their licence. Mr Mason explained penalties are kept on record for four years, but no longer apply if there are no infractions after 12 months.
MARCH 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
