Review of Policies for the Licensing of Hackney Carriage and Private Licensing

Summary of Changes Made

The review of our policies has been prompted by the publication of revised "Best Practice Guidance on Taxi and Private Hire Licensing" by the Department of Transport and guidance issued nationally by Local Government Regulation on Criminal Convictions Policy.

In general the existing policy has changed very little in substance but material has been added to make the policy more comprehensive and wording changed to make it clearer.

The changes include:

• addition of sections on the adoption of the parent legislation,
• addition of sections on the Crime and Disorder Act, and Equality Act,
• clarification of our position where false declarations are made in connection with an application,
• clarification of the process of suspension and revocation,
• a reassessment of the sections relating to the relevance of convictions,
• guidance on the time periods for renewal applications,
• incorporation of the existing legal requirements in respect of tinted windows,
• incorporation of the existing policy on how often a Knowledge Test may be taken,
• introduction of requirements for CCTV system where they are fitted in the vehicle. (The Council is not aware of any systems currently fitted in Elmbridge licensed vehicles but fitting CCTV is becoming more usual in vehicles serving inner city areas),
• introduction of requirements where cycle carriers or roof racks are fitted,
• introduction of exemptions for existing licensees wishing to change from being a private hire driver to being a hackney carriage driver or a PHV operator,
• clarification of the legal position regarding transfers of vehicle licences,
• incorporation of the existing legal requirements regarding touting by private hire drivers, and
• minor amendments to the breaches or infringements under the penalty points scheme.

|A summary of the practical effects of the key policy changes is also available.