Private Hire Special Event Vehicle Policy
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Licensing criteria
Vehicle licences will be issued for a maximum of 12 months. Private Hire vehicles may only undertake journeys in response to advance bookings. These bookings must be undertaken by an operator who in return is required to hold a Private Hire Operator's Licence.
| Licensing criteria | Required standard |
|---|---|
| Proof of Registered Keeper (V5 Registration Document) | An applicant for a vehicle licence must be the registered keeper of the vehicle.
|
| Vehicle Fitness standards | A satisfactory vehicle inspection report following an inspection by an Authorised Officer/Agent of the Council together with proof that the vehicle meets current MOT standards. All vehicles licensed by the Borough Council require inspection at an approved garage (a list of approved garages can be found on the vehicle application form). [see Appendix V] |
| A current vehicle insurance certificate | To enable us to licence a vehicle we require sight of an original valid insurance policy, and schedule or cover note for that vehicle covering the vehicle for Private Hire work. Emailed copies of insurance documents are acceptable. It shall be the responsibility of the proprietor of a licensed vehicle to produce proof of continuous insurance cover. The insurance proof is to be reviewed by the licensing authority within seven days of the expiry of the preceding certificate or cover note. 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 the immediate suspension of the vehicle licence by authorised officers. The suspension will remain in place until a satisfactory certificate of insurance is produced. Any driver insured to drive a licensed vehicle must hold a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers Licence, |
| Valid excise licence for the vehicle | All vehicles are required to be taxed unless exempt. |
| Basic DBS check | Proprietors of vehicles will be required to undertake a Basic DBS Check. (If the owner is also a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire driver with the authority then this Pre-requisite will not be required) |
| Completed application form | |
| Payment of prescribed fee | Up-to-date fees can be found on our website. |
Conditions relating to Special Event vehicles
1. Application in Writing
- Any person wishing to apply for a special event vehicle licence will be required to apply in writing to Borough Council stating the type of vehicle, and age, which they intend to use and the reasons why they believe that they should be considered for this vehicle category. Vehicles issued with a special event licence shall only be used for special occasions and executive business contracts. Vehicles licensed within this category shall not be used for everyday private hire use, e.g. 'school contracts' but must work under the control of a private hire Operator.
2. Sale of Alcohol
The licensee shall not facilitate the sale of alcohol unless there is in force an appropriate authorisation under the Licensing Act 2003 (either a premises licence or temporary event notice) permitting the sale of alcohol.
3. Types of Vehicle
- Special event vehicles are a type of private hire vehicle and fall into the following 4 categories:
- executive vehicles
- novelty vehicles
- stretched limousines
- historic vehicles
- Executive Vehicles and Novelty Vehicles presented for licensing for the first time should not normally be older than 3 years on the day the application is received.
- Stretch Limousines presented for licensing for the first time should not normally be older than 7 years on the day the application is received.
- Historic Vehicles presented for licensing for the first time must not have been constructed after 1st January 1973. Note: This is in accordance with DVLA taxation class for Historic Vehicles.
- Special event vehicles are a type of private hire vehicle and fall into the following 4 categories:
4. Licence Plate
- The special exterior vehicle licence plate will be required to be fixed to the rear of the vehicle.
5. Communication equipment
- No vehicle shall be fitted with a two-way radio system.
6. Stretched limousines
- A "stretched limousine", is a saloon type vehicle that has undergone an increase in length by extending the wheelbase after manufacture. An "American stretched limousine" is a stretched limousine imported from the USA and typically will have been manufactured originally by Lincoln (Ford) or Cadillac.
- The purpose of this Policy and subsequent conditions is to protect public safety. The conditions will apply in addition to the Authority's standard conditions for private hire vehicles and take account of the fact that stretched limousines will:
- travel generally at slower speeds than normal taxis
- not normally overtake other vehicles
- be easily recognisable by the hirer
- be heavier and considerably longer than standard cars
- be adapted or converted by someone other than the original manufacturer
- For the purposes of calculating the seating capacity of a vehicle the minimum width of a passenger seat is 400mm (16 inches). In the case of an 'L' shaped seat, sufficient space must be made available in the corner to prevent the passenger on one side of the corner encroaching on the passenger on the other side.
- In the case of a stretched limousine, or an American stretched limousine, where the vehicle has been constructed or adapted to seat up to 8 passengers, originals of the following documentation will be required by the Borough Council before an initial application for a vehicle licence can be considered:
- completed importation documentation where applicable and individual vehicle approval (IVA) or Voluntary Individual Vehicle Approval (VIVA) certificate
- proof the 'stretch' was performed by the manufacturer or by a Coachbuilder approved by the vehicle manufacturer i.e. American Limousines must have been built by an approved coachbuilder under the QVM programme for Ford Vehicles or the CMC programme for Cadillac Vehicles
- DVLA Registration Document (V5)
- valid Certificate of Insurance, with cover for hire and reward
- current MOT certificate issued by an approved Testing Station
- where applicable, an installation certificate from a Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (LPGA) Approved UK Vehicle Conversion Company, in the case of vehicles converted to run on LPG.
- valid Road Vehicle Excise licence
- Any replacement parts fitted to stretch limousine vehicles must meet the approved standards of the stretched specifications i.e. tyres will not only have to meet the size specifications, but must also meet the weight specification.
- Stretch limousines are exempt from Condition regarding tinted windows fitted to the side and rear window glass of the vehicle. The driver and passenger front side window glass and the front windscreen (cockpit area) must comply with Condition.
7. Private Hire Operator - additional requirement
- Special event vehicles must be specifically requested by the customer and it is not for the Operator to determine which class of vehicle should be assigned to the booking. In addition to the normal private hire Operator records required Operators of special event vehicles are to maintain a record of the nature of the special event i.e. Why the customer requested a special event vehicle.
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