Regulation Round-up: The Taxi Centre February Monthly Update
The Taxi Centre monthly round-up keeps you updated with the latest council regulations and updates that you need to know about in your area.
Table of Contents
5. Middlesbrough Taxi Regulations
11. Wiltshire Taxi Regulations
Cardiff – Temporary restrictions on hackney carriage licenses
Cardiff Council’s public protection committee have presented a consultation proposing temporary restrictions on licensing hackney carriages for more than ten years.
The consultation was launched after votes called to remove the authority’s moratorium on issuing new licenses, with Cardiff Council being one of few local authorities in the UK to have this in place.
It was also proposed after the licensing department received complaints from passengers who had been unable to get hackney carriages and increasing reports of drivers cherry-picking certain fares.
The current moratorium which has been in place since 2010 also restricts new entrants into the trade unless they are able to purchase a hackney carriage vehicle which is already licensed in Cardiff.
In a report presented to the council, 220 of the current 946 hackney carriage licenses were on hold. This means that there are 726 hackney carriages licensed in Cardiff.
Another issue with current licensing policy is that the number of vehicle licenses not being used has increased in the past few years.
A 2019 survey issued by Cardiff Council suggested that there was no unmet demand, which led to the moratorium being kept in place.
Though with current issues and complaints, the matter has been brought back to review, and after the consultation is complete, a further report will be presented to the council to help reach a decision.
Fife – Clashing firms given warning by council
Two competing firms in Fife have been spoken to by the council about their conduct, after reports of “minor indiscretions”.
Two firms and three individual cabbies were given verbal warnings by the council’s enforcement officer.
A report from Craig Ritchie was presented to the regulation and licensing committee looking into several complaints, and suggested non-compliance with license conditions and other issues between June 1st and October 31st.
Glasgow – Changes to criminal record rules
Glasgow City Council has made changes to licensing rules concerning criminal record checks in a bid to help potential taxi and private hire drivers from abroad.
Recent concerns states that these drivers have previously been banned from applying due to the current rules, where people who have lived in the UK for years have been unable to get a criminal record check from a country they have lived in previously.
As a solution to this, the licensing committee has agreed to change the rules so that criminal record checks are only needed if a new applicant has not lived in the UK for five consecutive years.
For instance, if the applicant previously held a license in Glasgow, a criminal record check would only be required if they have spent a period of six months or longer outside of the UK since the last license expired.
A council official explained:
“If you are a first time applicant and you have lived in the UK for a period of five consecutive years prior to applying, you do not need a criminal record check.”
Where the check is from an EU country in another language, a multilingual standard form or translation will be required.
Guernsey – Taxi licensing improvements
Recently, it has been reported that 42 new taxi permits have been issued since September 2022 in Guernsey – exceeding the number of those issued in 2020 and 2021 combined.
Driver numbers could also soon increase after a number of people holding Bus or Private Hire Public Vehicle permits have also requested to drive taxis as well.
The improvement comes after a long-standing shortage of taxi drivers causing issues for both locals and visitors, with hotels saying guests were unable to make their way there from the airport and vice versa.
Residents also complained saying it was “impossible” to book a taxi during busier times. These issues led to a review of the industry in autumn, showing a clear need for change in a number of areas.
These included the number of drivers reaching retirement age, the general lack of drivers, and the number of those not currently working.
Following the review, a number of recommendations were made, suggesting:
- Issuing more taxi plates, including 20 immediately
- Removing minimum mileage requirements
- Considering compensation of current taxi plate holders
- Speeding up the process of issuing licenses to prospective taxi plate holders and slimming down the ‘knowledge test’ which is part of the process
- Various changes to the tariff structure but no overall reductions
- Requiring drivers to be linked to a recognised ‘booking entity’ which enables web and app bookings
Harrogate – Changes to North Yorkshire knowledge test
New proposals currently being considered by Harrogate Council could see local taxi drivers required to have knowledge of both Skipton and Ryedale, in an updated knowledge test.
Under the new proposals, a single licensing policy for both hackney carriages and PHVs across the county would be created by North Yorkshire Council. This would then allow drivers in Harrogate to operate anywhere in North Yorkshire.
The Department for Transport (Dft) reportedly believed that abolishing the seven zones would help to reduce dead mileage and bring customers more choice.
Current policy means that the district and borough councils each have a knowledge test relating to their specific area, though it is unknown how much knowledge a Selby taxi driver for instance would need to have of the Yorkshire Dales.
Some local drivers have criticised the proposal due to the pressure of demand this would create, especially amid rising fuel costs.
Richard Feldman, Ripon cab driver said:
“It will mean that any taxi can work in any area. You are going to have swamps of taxis in busy areas at busy times. That in itself brings chaos.”
Hyndburn – Drivers allowed to ask for up-front fares
Future regulations will allow taxi drivers in Hyndburn to ask for upfront payment from passengers before a journey.
This comes after increasing reports of passengers refusing to settle fares, with Hyndburn Council agreeing to the request put forward from firms.
Reports have told of passengers running off before paying, leaving drivers short amid the current cost-of-living crisis.
Cllr Joyce Plummer, Hyndburn Council’s licensing boss, said:
“The request for upfront fares going forward is in response to an increasing number of people leaving the taxi after their journey without paying. It is very unfortunate this needs to happen.”
“I am urging people to not be offended if this is requested of them and understand that this is a necessity to protect local businesses and keep the vital taxi services in our borough running.”
“Taking off without paying is a criminal offence and more often than not the perpetrators are not apprehended, and therefore no payment is made to the driver.”
“We fully support taxi drivers in putting measures in place to prevent these crimes taking place and protecting their income, especially during the current cost of living crisis which we are all navigating.”
Middlesbrough – Council refund taxi industry £181K
Middlesbrough Council has been overcharging the local taxi industry by £181,000 over the past three years, it has been revealed.
The council has agreed to pay money back to over 500 of the 600 firms who are entitled to a refund, with the overcharge being down to an error in the cost of the taxi vehicle inspection.
A spokesperson for the Boro Cars firm appreciated the council’s honestly in owning up to the mistake make, though said it was undoubtedly disappointing.
A Middlesbrough Council spokesperson said:
“During work to set the fees for future years it was identified that there had been an overcharge in the calculation of the previous fee primarily related to the cost of the taxi vehicle inspection.”
“Through conversation with the taxi trade, it was agreed that the best and fairest way to address this is to provide a refund to vehicle owners who were affected.”
They also added that all those due to be given a refund will be contacted in due course.
A Boro Cars spokesperson said:
“It is disappointing to hear that the council has again overcharged all vehicle license holders, this time for a period of three years.”
“However, we appreciate their honesty in admitting their error and are also pleased that the council has had a change of heart having now agreed to refund all drivers and other vehicle owners affected.”
When a person first applies for a license, the vehicle will be inspected by the council’s own examiners.
Rules were changed earlier this year when the council agreed that vehicles could be licensed for the first time up to five years old and can be used on the road until they reach 10 years of age, or 12 if it is a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV).
Previous rules states that vehicles would only be licensed for the first time if they were under three years old and were able to remain on the road until they reached eight years of age, or 10 for WAVs.
The updated rules came into effect after the council was experiencing financial loss after drivers were travelling to Wolverhampton where they could license taxis for the first time for up to 12 years of age, and remain so until up to 17 years of age.
Costs for licensing range between £216-£268 depending on the vehicle’s age and whether it is a private hire or hackney carriage.
Plymouth – Cabbies hit back at controversial policies
Taxi drivers in Plymouth have written to councillors pleading for them to drop a ban on jeans, and to reverse plans to make taxis green and white.
The Plymouth Licensed Taxi Association wrote a letter to the council claiming a lack of proper consultation on new taxi licensing policy and made a number of complaints including the controversial dress code banning jeans, sandals, and t-shirts.
The letter read, “While licensees agree that drivers’ dress should be of a certain standard, they strongly object to not being permitted to wear jeans that are in good condition.”
Members of the association also asked the council to rethink plans to change the colour of black hackney carriages to green and white by 2027.
The Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2022 was agreed by Plymouth City Council in April, which proposed that hackney cabs should now change colour to become green and white.
It was argued that the new livery would improve their visibility on the road and help to reassure passengers that they are travelling in a fully-licensed vehicle.
Drivers have hit back at the proposal, however, saying that it has caused a “great deal of anguish” among the industry.
Another issue raised in the letter was the PLTA asking for card readers and CCTV in cabs to be optional, as well as roof signs and work taxi numbers removed to avoid confusion.
Instead, it was proposed that private hire vehicles should have their license number displayed on the roof so that they can be seen by safety cameras, and for the operator’s name to be displayed on the rear door.
According to Mr Leaves, the PLTA desires a meeting with the portfolio holder and the committee, and to be consulted on current policy and any suggestions “for an amicable solution to the current unrest of licensees.
Rochford – Success for earn as you learn scheme
Rochford’s pioneering ‘earn as you learn’ scheme introduced by the licensing team has helped to boost numbers for registered taxi and private hire drivers within the area.
This comes after a driver shortage during the pandemic in the UK, leading to the council working with the district’s four main operators to make a change.
The new scheme was developed to help bring in new drivers while still focussing on providing a safe, satisfactory experience for passengers.
Previous training required drivers to complete the knowledge test – requiring them to have extensive knowledge of the local and surrounding areas – before getting their license. Training which was unpaid and left trainee drivers without an income.
Under the ‘Earn as you Learn’ scheme however, new drivers can starting hiring out their vehicles after completing the initial course.
They are each given a mentor who will monitor and guide them throughout the process, and are given nine months for completion.
From December 2022, 27 drivers were enrolled on the scheme, with five soon completing the course showing promising early signs.
Cllr Arthur Williams, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Health, said:
“We need to have more taxi drivers trained and working to help our isolated and disabled residents and ensure people can get home safely late at night, so the ‘Earn to Learn Scheme’ is vital in districts like ours.”
“It’s great to hear this scheme helping drivers get the necessary training, but also earning a wage they need while studying, especially in the current cost-of-living crisis.”
For more information on the scheme and how to apply for licensing, visit the council’s Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles page in the following link: https://new.rochford.gov.uk/taxis-and-private-hire-vehicles
Swindon – Private hire drivers allowed to work for multiple firms
A new policy issued by Swindon Borough Council will allow private hire drivers to start working for more than one firm.
The change came after members of the authority’s licensing committee gave their approval, allowing drivers to work with up to three operators at the same time.
Kathryn Ashton, Licensing Manager, explained why the current policy prevents this, commenting:
“When we issue a license to a driver we give them a green form, which they hand to the operator they decide to work for. And that is then registered with us.”
“It has been done like this for safety of passengers. We can control the hours and fares a driver takes. It means if something happens, and we have a complaint we can ring the operator immediately and stop the driver working while we look into it.”
Ms Ashton however, believed that Swindon was being treated as a minority, as one of few councils who only allowed drivers to work for one operator.
The new policy is not favoured by all firms, with private hire operators arguing it could pose a risk of passengers being “dropped” by a driver who has previously accepted the fare if they are offered a more substantial fare with a longer journey by a different company.
Ms Ashton responded to the committee, assuring that the licensing team would make a conscious effort to ensure this does not happen, and was confident of its ability to keep track of drivers and their chosen operators.
Commenting on the issues that still remain with the new policy, Ms Ashton said:
“We’d expect a driver to arrive at the pick-up with the livery for the form through the booking was made on the car, so that will be more of a burden on the driver.”
On a more positive note, it is easy for drivers to move operators should they wish to do so, by simply requesting the green form back to move to another company once agreed.
Votes for the policy agreed that drivers should be allowed to work for up to three companies if it is agreed with the operator.
The first green form will be issued with the driver’s private hire license in order to avoid fees, with the second costing £100 and the third £150. A fourth form would however be permitted for airport work.
Watford – Council to consult on mandatory card payments
Watford Borough Council are considering public feedback on whether offering card payments should be made mandatory in all hackney carriages and private hire vehicles.
This would mean that all licensed vehicles would be required to have a card reader machine in order to allow passengers to pay by card.
Cllr Ian Stotesbury, responsible for transport said:
“For a large percentage of the population card payments have become the norm, and we realise that there is a growing demand to extend this form of payment to all taxis and PHVs. The consultation will help us understand how great that demand is.”
Zaheer Ahmed from Watford Hackney Carriage Drivers Association showed his support for the proposed change, saying: “Its something we’ve been pushing and recommended it to the council.”
According to Mr Ahmed, around 60-70% of taxis already accept card payments from passengers, though some drivers are more reluctant to accept them which is why they want it to become mandatory.
This will help firms to become more competitive, since customers already know rideshare apps accept cashless payments
Driver medical requirements were another focus in the consultation. Currently, new applicants must have a medical appointment with their GP before receiving their license. They will then need to continue submitting medicals every give year from age 55, and every year from the age of 70.
New proposals would see medicals submitted with the initial application, followed by every give years from age 45 and every year from age 65.
Wiltshire – Taxi shortage for ‘SEND’ pupils
Wiltshire is experiencing a shortage of taxis for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) children to get to school, it has been reported.
This comes after a significant fall in the number of drivers and vehicles according to a local report, which was discussed by the Licensing Committee on December 5th. The report said:
“The Passenger Transport Unit have advised they are struggling to fulfil all of their SEND [special educational needs and disabilities] school contracts due to a lack of drivers and vehicles.”
Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“We have had to put temporary arrangements in place such as doubling up on runs, reduced pupil timetables or paying parents to take them.”
“In Wiltshire there as a shortage of taxi drivers to fulfil our SEND school contracts before the Covid-19 pandemic which hit the industry very hard reducing numbers further.”
Explaining what the Cabinet were doing to tackle the problem, Dr McClelland said:
“We launched a recruitment campaign to support local taxi companies who were struggling to recruit drivers and to increase the number of licenced taxi drivers that could bid for our contracts.”
“The recruitment campaign was successful in encouraging more applications and the number of new applicants has now recovered to pre-pandemic levels.”
“The results of this are starting to feed through and we currently only have a small number of SEND school transport contracts unfilled.”
Though the pandemic is over, the report shows the industry is still yet to recover as drivers continue leaving once they reach retirement age.
An extract from the report says: “The current economic position within the UK may result in a recovery in the taxi industry taking longer than expected, if indeed it ever returns to pre-pandemic levels.”
Cllr McClelland added: “Demand for SEND school transport continues to grow, so we are still keen to recruit more taxi drivers and to hear from drivers who would like to apply for our contracts.”
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