Hackney Carriage Information

Byelaws

In addition to the licence conditions, the Hackney Carriage byelaws must be complied with.

Ribble Valley Borough Council Hackney Carriage Vehicle licence

The Council has the power to suspend, revoke or refuse to renew any vehicle licence if any of these standard conditions are not complied with. 

The following Standard Conditions are attached to the issue of a Hackney Carriage Licence (the "Vehicle Licence") in the Ribble Valley.

The Licence

1. The term of a Vehicle Licence is determined by the age of the vehicle.  The Vehicle Licence terms are:

a. Vehicles under 3 years old - 12 months;

b. Vehicles over 3 years old but less than 7 years old - 6 months; and

c. Vehicles over 7 years old - 4 months.

2. The Council may not issue a licence to a modified vehicle.

3. The proprietor of Hackney Carriage must not allow the vehicle to be used for hire by a person who does not hold a current Hackney Carriage driver's licence.  To do so is a criminal offence.

4. The proprietor of a Hackney Carriage must not allow it to be used for Private Hire purposes except through a Ribble Valley Borough Council licensed Private Hire Operator.

5. The proprietor of a Hackney Carriage shall not permit the vehicle to be used for any illegal or immoral purpose.

Return of licence plates

6. Upon renewal or expiration of a Vehicle Licence the old Vehicle Licence plates (internal and external) must be returned to the Council.

7. If a Vehicle Licence is suspended, revoked or given up the licence plates must be returned immediately to the Council.

The Vehicle

Specification

8. A vehicle will only be issued with a Vehicle Licence if it is either:

a) an FX9 or equivalent (London cab type) vehicle or;

b) a saloon or estate car with at least four doors and reasonable accommodation for luggage and capable of seating not less than 4 nor more than 8 adult passengers or;

c) a minibus type vehicle capable of seating not more than 8 adult passengers;

and in respect to (a) to (c) above:

i) is a right-hand drive vehicle;

ii) has adequate lighting for the interior of the vehicle and an adequate heating system for the driver and passengers, with means of control by the driver;

iii) carries a spare wheel and tool kit to change wheels;

iv) is of such a design to enable any person in the carriage to communicate with the driver;

v) is fitted with a roof or covering which can be kept water-tight;

vi) contains windows and a means of opening and closing not less than one window on each side;

vii) contains seats which must be properly cushioned or covered;

viii) has a proper carpet, mat or other suitable covering for the floor;

ix) contains fittings and furniture kept in a clean condition, safe and well maintained and in every way fit for public service;

x) is fitted in such a way to enable luggage to be secured if the vehicle is so constructed to carry luggage;

xi) contains at least two doors for the use of persons conveyed in the vehicle and a separate means of ingress and egress for the driver; and

xii) (save with the approval of the Council) have glass in its windows with a minimum of 70% light transmission.

Insurance

9. The proprietor of a vehicle which has a Vehicle Licence must ensure that at all times:

a. the vehicle (and driver) are insured sufficiently to protect passengers in the event of a claim for death or bodily injury (the Council will not accept anything less than a 30 day cover note);

b. a copy of the current certificate of motor insurance is kept in the vehicle for inspection.

c. they produce the Vehicle Licence and policy of motor insurance for inspection as soon as possible but in any event within 7 days of a request from an authorised officer of the Council or a police officer.

Maintenance of Vehicle

10. A vehicle which has a Vehicle Licence must:

a. be in a sound and road worthy condition

b. be maintained in a safe and clean condition inside and out; and

c. comply fully with all relevant statutory requirements (including but not exclusively the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations as amended from time to time or its successor legislation.

Alterations to vehicle

11. During the term of the Vehicle Licence, no material alteration or change in the specification, design, condition or appearance of the Hackney Carriage shall be made without the approval of the Council.

Vehicle Inspections

Programmed Inspections

12. Vehicle inspections to be carried out as follows:

a. Vehicle up to 3 years old - 1 inspection per year;

b. Vehicle over 3 years old but not exceeding 7 years old - 2 inspections per year;

c. Vehicle over 7 years old - 3 inspections a year;

13. All vehicles over 1 year old require a current MOT.

14. The vehicle must be submitted for inspection at the place authorised and on dates notified by the Council or at any other time at the Authority's discretion.

Additional Inspections

15. In addition to the provisions above, the proprietor shall permit an authorised officer or agent of the Council to inspect and test a vehicle at all times.

16. If following an inspection the officer or agent of the Council is not satisfied with the fitness or condition of the vehicle they shall give notice in writing to the proprietor requiring them to make the vehicle available for further inspection and testing at such reasonable times and place specified in the notice. The Vehicle Licence will be suspended until such time as the officer or agent of the Council is satisfied with the fitness and condition of the vehicle.

17. If the proprietor has failed to ensure that the officer or agent is satisfied within 2 months of service of the notice the Vehicle Licence will be revoked.

Place of keeping Hackney Carriages

18. The proprietor of a hackney carriage licensed by the Council shall, within such period as the Council may by notice reasonably require, state in writing the address of every place where such hackney carriage is kept when not in use, and shall, if the Council so require, afford to them such facilities as may be reasonably necessary to enable them to cause such hackney carriage to be inspected or tested.

Safety Equipment

19. A vehicle which has a Vehicle Licence must carry at all times:

a. a fire extinguisher authorised by the Council; and

b. a suitable first aid kit containing appropriate first aid dressings and appliances. (the "Safety Equipment")

20. The Safety Equipment must be readily visible to the driver, hirer/passengers and third parties and be available for immediate use.

Radio Microphone

21. Any radio microphone installed in the vehicle must be fitted so that its use does not impair the driver's control of the vehicle.

Taximeter

22. A Hackney Carriage must have a taximeter which is fitted, attached and maintained to comply with the following requirements:

a. When the machinery of the taximeter is in action there shall be recorded on the face/display of it in clearly legible figures a fare not exceeding the rate or fare which the proprietor or driver is entitled to demand and take for the hire of the carriage by distance in pursuance of the tariff fixed by the Council.

b. It shall be placed so that all figures on the face of it are at all times plainly visible to any person being conveyed in the Hackney Carriage and shall therefore be capable of being illuminated at any time.

23. A Hackney Carriage must have:

a. a Licence plate provided by the Council, identifying the vehicle as a hackney carriage exhibited on the vehicle pursuant to Section 47(2) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.  The plate must be securely fixed on a bracket (provided by the Council) in a conspicuous position, either immediately above or below the bumper and in such a manner as to be easily removable by an authorised officer of the Council or the police. The Licence plate must remain on the vehicle AT ALL TIMES (including when the vehicle is not in use) and should not be removed except when authorised to do so by an authorised officer of the Council or the police.

b. an internal plate provided by the Council, indicating the number of passengers allowed to be carried in the vehicle and the licence number of the vehicle displayed in the front windscreen so as not to obscure the driver's vision.

24. The proprietor of a hackney carriage shall ensure that the identification plates referred to in condition 21 are maintained and kept in such a condition that the information contained on them is clearly visible to public view at all times.

Signage

25. A Hackney Carriage must:

a. be equipped with a roof sign, of a standard size - width 500mm, height 120mm - such sign to be illuminated and bearing the word "TAXI" in black letters on yellow background and facing forward and on the red background facing backwards.

b. not save as set out in (a) above, be equipped with roof fittings, including advertisements except a wireless aerial which must be fitted in such a manner as to satisfy the Council;

c. have a sign stating 'no smoking' with minimum diameter of 70mm displayed in a visible position inside the vehicle.

d. not display any signs, notices, advertisements, plates, marks, numbers, letters, figures, symbols, emblems or devices whatsoever on, in or from the vehicle except as may be required by any statutory provision (including bye-laws) or required or permitted by these conditions. This condition does not apply to any indication on a taximeter fitted to the vehicle or to a sign which:

i. is displayed in, on or from the vehicle whilst it is stationary;

ii. contains no words or numbers other than the name and address of an operator of the vehicle or the name under which he carries on his business and its address;

iii. is displayed in pursuance of a prior arrangement made for the carriage of a passenger or passengers named in the sign.

Statement of Fares

26. A statement of fares as set by the Council must be fixed and maintained in such a position within the vehicle as to be clearly visible at all times to the hirer.

Obligation to Report/Disclose Information

Accident/Incident involving the Vehicle

27. The proprietor of a vehicle which has a Vehicle Licence must report to the Council as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event within 72 hours of any accident or incident involving the vehicle

28. Once an accident or incident is reported the Vehicle Licence may be suspended until the vehicle has been submitted to and passed an inspection at the Council's authorised testing centre.

29. Nothing in these conditions shall remove the proprietor's statutory obligation to report all accidents to the police.

Transfer of Vehicle

30. The proprietor of a vehicle, which has a Vehicle Licence, shall report to the Council any transfer or change of ownership of the vehicle within 7 days of it taking place.