Vehicle licenses conditions

1. Renewal

1. A licence can only be renewed if a licence has been previously held and it has not been allowed to lapse or been revoked. There may be no lapse between licences.

2. Maintenance and appearance of vehicle

1. When it is available for hire, the vehicle and its fittings must at all times:
   • be safe
   • be tidy
   • be clean
   • comply with all statutory requirements applicable to the class of vehicle
2. The vehicle must be maintained to a high standard of appearance to the complete satisfaction of the Council, throughout the term of the licence.
3. The vehicle must be kept in exceptional condition including cleanliness and cosmetic appearance.

3. Inspection of vehicle

1. The vehicle must not be made available for hire or used as a hackney carriage/private hire unless there is a current mechanical inspection certificate in force and lodged with the Council in respect of that vehicle.

4. Alteration of vehicle

1. During the currency of the Licence no alterations in the specification, design or appearance of the vehicle shall be made without the prior written approval of the Borough Council.

5. Documents and internal signage

1. There must be carried in the vehicle when it is available for hire or being used as a licensed vehicle the sign issued by the Council giving the vehicle licence number and the maximum number of passengers to be carried.
2. Hackney Carriage vehicles must also carry a copy of the current tariff as approved by the Council clearly displayed within the vehicle where it may be seen by any passenger on board.

6. External signs and so forth

1. No signs, notices, advertisements, plates, marks, letters, figures, symbols, emblems, other than those mentioned below shall be displayed on, in or from the vehicle.
2. Signs permitted are:
   • any registration number
   • any sign required by statute or subordinate legislation
   • any sign on a taximeter indicating that the vehicle is for hire
   • the licence plate giving the licence number and the maximum number of passengers to be carried on the outside rear of the vehicle
   • roundels (crests) issued by the Borough Council with the licence number - on the rear doors
   • the roof sign referred to below
   • any sign indicating membership of a national motoring organisation
   • any sign informing passengers not to smoke in the vehicle
   • the tariff card as above
   • any sign approved by the Council to indicate that the payment of fares may be made by credit card shall be displayed on the front windscreen of the vehicle
   • any sign provided by the Norfolk County Council to show that the vehicle is used for school contracts shall be displayed in the windscreen in such a manner so as not to obstruct the driver's vision, and may only be displayed when actually employed in the performance of such contract work with pupils being carried
   • any other sign specifically approved in writing by the Borough Council must meet the conditions as set out above
   • no sign may contain any material of a religious or political nature or contain any matter likely to cause offence
   • on private hire vehicles no sign may include in the lettering any word whether in the singular or plural the words 'taxi', 'cab' or 'hire' or any word of a similar meaning or appearance to any of those words whether alone or as part of another word
3. Any sign permitted must be positioned so as not to impede visibility and, in any event, no sign shall be placed on the rear window of the vehicle or hanging obstruction be placed in any part of the vehicle.

7. Advertising on outside of vehicle

1. The Borough Council will allow advertisements to be placed upon a vehicle subject to the following:
   • the proprietor of a licensed vehicle shall not display or permit to be displayed on the vehicle any sign or advertisement whatsoever unless written permission has been obtained from the Borough Council
   • all advertisements shall comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice and shall be in a form acceptable to the Advertising Standards Authority - the Borough Council reserves the right to require the licensee to withdraw from display any advertisement which may be considered inaccurate, misleading, unlawful, defamatory, in bad taste or of an unacceptable standard
   • no advertisement will be permitted that relates to or advertises alcohol, nudity, gambling, smoking materials or others of a political nature
   • the same advertising must be displayed on the nearside and offside panels of vehicles
   • any advertising may cover both back panels
   • advertising may not be stuck over door trims. Door trims may not be removed to accommodate advertising
   • in the case of Private Hire Vehicles advertising is subject to the specific exclusion of the words "taxi", "cab" or "hire" the use of which will not be permitted
2. The Borough Council reserves the right to withdraw from display any advertisement which may be considered inaccurate, misleading, unlawful, defamatory, in bad taste or of an unacceptable standard.

8. Licence plate

1. The Council must be informed immediately should the licence plate showing the number of the Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Licence be broken, lost or defaced or stolen. If lost or stolen, the matter shall be reported to the police and a relevant reference number shall be required (i.e. Crime Number or Lost Property reference). On no account must a hackney carriage ply for hire without a correctly displayed plate, as required under the Police Town Clauses Act 1947, Sections 51 and 52.
2. Plates, badges and licences remain the property of the Council and must be returned immediately on ceasing operation or when the Council revoke or refuse to renew a licence or where the Proprietor no longer holds a licence issued by the Council. Authorised officers are entitled to physically remove the plate from the vehicle and retain it where necessary.
3. The Licence Plate shall be fixed in a permanent manner and displayed outside and on the rear of the vehicle, either immediately above or below the bumper. It shall be fixed in such a position that it and the vehicle's registration mark is not obscured, with its particulars facing outwards and that the figures and numbers endorsed thereon are distinct and legible.
4. The Licence Plate is to be clearly visible. The licence plate must not obstruct any signage prescribed by the Borough Council or any lights or the vehicles registration mark. Any items such as towbars must not obstruct the licence plate.
5. Special Event Vehicles must display the smaller special plate issued by the Borough Council.

9. Roof signs for Hackney Carriages

1. A sign bearing the word 'taxi' on its front face must be installed on the roof of the vehicle. It shall be securely fitted to the vehicle and must be of a design and shape approved by the Borough Council The word 'taxi' must be plainly and distinctly visible. The sign may include the name and landline telephone number of the hackney carriage company, and must be capable of being illuminated during the hours of darkness. The sign must at all times comply with any requirements of vehicle lighting regulations when illuminated.
2. This shall not apply to a vehicle complying with the Public Carriage office standards - any vehicle of this specification must display a sign bearing the word 'taxi' distinctly visible from the front of the vehicle.
3. For Private Hire vehicles no roof signs are permitted.

10. Change of address

1. The proprietor/vehicle licence holder must inform the Council of any change of address, in writing, before the change, where possible, but not more than seven (7) days afterwards.

11. Compliance

1. The responsibility for complying with these conditions, unless otherwise stated, shall be the proprietors/vehicle licence holder and drivers jointly and severally.

12. Wheelchair accessible vehicles

1. (that is, vehicles in which passengers may be conveyed whilst seated in the wheelchair)
   • a vehicle complying with the specifications required by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 must be adapted or designed to carry at least one wheelchair bound passenger
   • there must be sufficient space between the front of the rear seat and any partition for an occupied wheelchair to turn
   • there must be sufficient space for a wheelchair to travel
   • there must be a separate means of securing the chair and the wheelchair occupant
   • there must be wheelchair ramps carried in the vehicle
   • a vehicle designed or adapted in accordance with the above may carry a maximum of two signs indicating that it is capable of carrying wheelchair bound passengers
   • any swivel seat fitted must meet the requirements of the above Act

13. Towing of trailers

• no licensed vehicle may tow any trailer unless evidence of valid insurance (see below) to cover such use of hire and reward has been produced to the Council and the licence endorsed
• any trailer used must comply in all respects with the requirements of EC94/20 Type Approval and any Acts and Regulations relating to trailers or parts thereof which may be in force at the time of licensing
• the driver must hold the appropriate towing licence issued by the DVLA
• tyres and wheels:
  • tyres and wheels for the trailer must comply to manufacturers specification and current legislation relating to tyres
  • a spare wheel and tyre to manufacturers specification and current legislation must be fitted to the trailer
  • a suitable toolkit must be carried
• lights: full road lighting must be fitted to the trailer to comply with all legal requirements - all lights should be 'E' marked
• insurance:
  • a current certificate of insurance must be produced which covers the use of the trailer and the vehicle to be licensed to tow it
  • a public liability insurance to the value of £100,000 must be produced to cover any luggage carried in the trailer
• advertisements: no advertisements will be allowed to be displayed on the trailer
• licence plate: an additional Borough Council vehicle plate must be purchased and displayed on the offside rear of the trailer
• number plate: all trailers must be fitted with an approved style number plate bearing the same number as towing vehicle

14. Maintenance of vehicle and safety equipment

1. The proprietor/licence holder of the vehicle shall:
   • provide sufficient means by which any person in the vehicle may communicate with the driver
   • ensure the roof or covering to be kept watertight
   • provide adequate windows and the means of opening and closing them
   • ensure the seats to be properly cushioned and covered
   • ensure the floor to be covered with a proper carpet, mat or other suitable covering
   • ensure the fittings and furniture generally to be kept in a clean and well-maintained condition
   • provide means for securing luggage
   • fire extinguisher:
     • to be carried in such a position as to be readily accessible and available in any emergency
       • the fire extinguisher should be either a 1kg dry powder or a 2 litre AFFF
       • fire extinguishers must be maintained in accordance with BS5306 Part 3 i.e. they must have an annual service, a five-yearly service and refilled - these tests must be carried out by a BAFE certified engineer and new tags and seals must be placed on each extinguisher after inspection
     • unique identification tags will be provided for each extinguisher and must be affixed to the extinguisher at all times
   • first aid
     • provide a first aid kit as approved by the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 - such equipment to be carried in such a position in the vehicle as to be readily available at all times; the kit must be kept adequately stocked
     • the first-aid kit is for self-administration only
   • ensure that the vehicle and all its fittings and equipment are at all times when the vehicle is in use or available for hire, kept in an efficient, safe, tidy and clean condition and all relevant statutory requirements (including those contained in the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations) are fully complied with
   • ensure that no material alteration or change in the specification, design, condition or appearance of the vehicle are made without the written approval of the Council at any time whilst the licence is in force
   • ensure all vehicles with rear seat belt anchorage points be fitted with rear seat belts
   • where a meter is fitted to maintain all meters in working order at all times. Meters to be inspected and sealed by the Council's Authorised Officer or Agent before use
   • where a tariff card is provided it is clearly displayed where it may be seen by a passenger, giving the tariff applied by the Operator through whom the vehicle is operated
   • no roof, boot racks or bullbars may be fitted to licensed vehicles during the currency of the licence unless prior authorised by the Borough Council
   • Citizen Band radios: no citizen band radios may be fitted in any Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle whilst it is licensed
   • radio scanning devices: no radio scanning devices of whatsoever type or sort may be fitted to, carried in or used in or in the vicinity of any Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle during the currency of the licence

15. Mechanical breakdown

1. If any vehicle, for whatever reason, becomes unfit to complete a journey under a hire agreement:
   • the driver shall be entitled to demand the fare for the distance already travelled
   • the driver shall secure alternative transport immediately to complete the journey if the hirer so wishes - if the original vehicle is repaired and completes the hiring, the driver shall be entitled to full fare with the exception of any time that the hirer waited for the repair to be executed
   • any such incident must be reported to the Council within one (1) working day

16. Hackney Carriage ranks

1. The number of hackney carriages stationed at any rank must not exceed the number for which the rank is appointed at any time. No private hire vehicle may use a hackney carriage rank.

17. Complaints, interim inspection and vehicle checks

• any vehicle against which a complaint is laid must be presented to the Authorised Officer or Agent within one (1) working day of being so requested for inspection
• the licensee, owner, registered keeper, Operator, driver or other person in charge of the vehicle may be interviewed
• a vehicle may be called for inspection, including documents, at any reasonable time by the Authorised Officer/Agent to ensure compliance - failure to attend and show any documentation as requested may lead to suspension or revocation of licence under Section 68 of the Act
• an Authorised Officer or Agent may detain any vehicle, at any time, which is suspected of being involved in any infringement of legislation, bylaws or conditions, to ensure its fitness to be used as a licensed vehicle in the interest of public safety
• if a vehicle fails the test and in the opinion of the examiner would fail to meet the standards required then the plate may be removed by Authorised Officer/Agent, until such time as the vehicle passes the test - until then, the plate is to be returned to the Licensing authority and the vehicle may not be used for hire and reward
• any vehicle called for inspection that fails to attend may cause the vehicle and Operator licences to be suspended immediately and subsequently the licences may be revoked

18. Vehicle inspections

1. A vehicle which fails a compliance inspection/safety check during the currency of a licence will have the fault (s) rectified and the vehicle re- inspected within 2 months of the original inspection - failure to do so will lead to the automatic revocation of the vehicle licence.
2. A Hackney Carriage may be inspected by an authorised officer of the Borough Council or a police officer, at all reasonable times. If the person inspecting the vehicle is not satisfied as to the fitness of the vehicle he may give written notice to the proprietor to make the vehicle available for further inspection and testing at such reasonable time and place as may be specified, and the vehicle licence may be suspended until the officer or police officer is so satisfied.
3. If the authorised officer or police officer is not so satisfied within two months of the initial inspection the Hackney Carriage vehicle licence shall be deemed revoked.

4. Unfit Vehicle Notices

5. Unfit Vehicle notices can be issued by Authorised Officers and Police Officers where vehicle defects give cause for concern.
6. Immediate Unfit Notices will be given if the vehicle appears to be unsafe to carry members of the public. Once a Notice is issued the vehicle must not be used for hire with immediate effect. The vehicle must be presented to either an officer or the Borough Councils approved testing station with the faults rectified. Only after this will the Notice be lifted and the vehicle can then be used for hire.
7. If the Notice is not lifted within two-months, the vehicle licence will be deemed revoked.
8. Deferred Notices can be issued which means the vehicle can continue to be used for the time specified and the faults rectified within a specified time. When the faults are rectified the vehicle must be presented to a Borough Council approved testing station for inspection.

19. Vehicle damage and replacement vehicles

1. The proprietor of any vehicle must report to the Council, in writing, as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within seventy two (72) hours, the occurrence of any accident involving the vehicle.
2. The Authorised Officer or Agent will inspect the vehicle and make a decision as to whether or not the vehicle can continue in service.
3. If the vehicle can continue in service until a permanent repair is undertaken, the repair must be completed within a maximum of 28 days of the Authorised Officer/Agent's decision.
4. If any damage is considered by the Authorised Officer or Agent to be extensive enough to affect the safety or general appearance of the vehicle, it must be immediately withdrawn from service and the plate removed. The vehicle must be repaired, submitted for a Council mechanical inspection and the cosmetic appearance inspected by an Authorised Officer/Agent, before the plate is re-affixed and the vehicle returned to service.
5. In the case of any dispute the matter will be referred to the Councils Licensing Committee.
6. Any replacement vehicle, either a short-term or permanent replacement, must comply with licensing prerequisites above. A completed application form must be submitted together with the other necessary documents and the appropriate fee, before being used as a licensed vehicle. If all the above items and all conditions are met and are satisfactory, we will produce the licence within seven working days from receipt of an acceptable application.

20. Insurance

1. The proprietor shall keep in force, in relation to the use of the hackney carriage, a policy of insurance in respect of public hire and complying with the provisions of Section 145 of Part VIA Road Traffic Act 1988 which covers third party liability both in respect of physical injury or death and in respect of damage to personal belongings. The certificate of insurance and schedule must be produced, on demand to an authorised officer of the Borough Council for inspection.
2. It shall be the responsibility of the proprietor of a hackney carriage to produce proof of continuous insurance cover in respect of public hire. The insurance proof is to be reviewed by the licensing authority within seven days of the expiry of the preceding certificate or cover note.
3. If the proprietor fails to produce a certificate of insurance cover on request he shall produce it forthwith or within seven clear days of the request to an authorised officer of the Borough Council. Failure to comply may result in suspension of the Hackney Carriage Vehicle licence.

21. Transfer of interest in the vehicle

1. If a proprietor of a licensed hackney carriage vehicle or of a private hire vehicle transfers his interest, in whole or in part, in the vehicle to any other person not specified in the vehicle licence he must notify the Borough Council within 14 days using the appropriate form. The form must be accompanied by the fee and supporting documents.

22. Taximeters

1. All Hackney Carriage vehicles licensed or to be licensed shall have a taximeter fitted. Each taximeter shall be tested by one of the Borough Council's approved testing stations in order to establish that the meter does not produce a fare in excess of the maximums prescribed in the current Hackney Carriage Fare Tariff approved by the Borough Council.
2. The taximeter shall be placed in a safe position and so far as possible so that all letters and figures on the face thereof shall be at all times plainly visible to any persons being conveyed in the carriage. For that purpose, the letter and figures shall be capable of being suitably illuminated during the period of hiring.
3. The driver of a hackney carriage shall, at the commencement of the journey, activate the meter so that the word 'Hired' is clearly visible and shall keep the meter operating until the termination of the hiring.
4. 'Commencement of the journey' means:
   • when the hirer enters the vehicle
   • when the driver has attended at an appointed place, and has made his presence known to the hirer
   • when the driver has presented him/herself at an appointed place at a specified time
5. The driver of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle shall when standing or plying for hire keep the taximeter locked in the position in which no fare is recorded on the face of the taximeter and operate a sign, which shall bare the words 'For Hire' in clear legible letters.
6. Any taximeter fitted to a Hackney Carriage Vehicle, which has been adjusted or repaired shall have the taximeter retested by one of the Borough Council's approved testing stations.
7. The taximeter shall clearly display a fare not exceeding the rate or fare approved by the Borough Council.
8. The taximeter and all the fitting thereof shall be so affixed to the carriage with security seals or other appliances that it shall not be practicable for any person to tamper with them except by breaking, damaging or permanently disabling the security seals.
9. The taximeter shall be calendar/time controlled to enable automatic selection of the correct tariff. This should be completed by an authorised meter agent.
10. A taxi meter fitted to a licensed vehicle may be inspected by an authorised officer of the Borough Council or by a Police Officer at all reasonable times.
11. If the officer or constable inspecting the vehicle is not satisfied as to the fitness of the vehicle or the accuracy of the meter, he may without prejudice to the taxi meter condition, give written notice to the proprietor to make the Hackney Carriage and/or taxi meter available for further inspection and testing at such reasonable time and place as may be specified, and the vehicle licence may be suspended until the officer or constable is satisfied as to the vehicles fitness or as to the accuracy of the taxi meter.
12. If the officer or constable is not so satisfied within two months of the initial inspection, the Hackney Carriage Licence shall be deemed revoked.

23. Passengers

1. The proprietor or owner of a Licensed Hackney Carriage shall not permit to be conveyed in the vehicle a greater number of persons than prescribed on the licence for the vehicle.
2. The driver of a Licensed Hackney Carriage shall not, without the consent of the hirer of the vehicle, convey or permit to be conveyed any other person in the vehicle.
3. A driver shall not refuse to carry fewer persons than the number marked on the plate.

24. CCTV cameras

1. Licensed Vehicle proprietor may, subject to the written approval of the Borough Council, install and use a visible closed circuit TV (CCTV) surveillance camera in their vehicles which face outward and are for insurance purposes only. Should CCTV be required inside the vehicle by the Operator, written approval must be sought from the Council and would be subject to conditions.

25. Carriage of portable oxygen tanks