Hackney Carriage Vehicle policy

• For initial applications, the applicant will need to prove that they are the lawful keeper of the vehicle by providing an original copy of the vehicles V5 (vehicle registration document). A bill of sale (receipt) for that vehicle may be produced if the V5 is not available but the bill must include the date of first registration and the original V5 document must be produced within a calendar month.

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 of the Handbook]

All vehicles over 5 years (date as shown on DVLA V5 registration document) shall have a vehicle compliance test at an approved Vehicle Testing Station every 6 months.

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 Hackney Carriage 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/she 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

Any new plate shall be a brand new purpose built vehicle for the performance as a Hackney Carriage which has been fully tested to M1 category. Such vehicle cannot be replaced unless it is replaced with at least an equivalent specification but newer purpose built model that is still less than 9 years old on initial registration.

All vehicles shall be so constructed as to facilitate the carriage of people with disabilities and must be capable of accommodating a person in a wheelchair in the passenger compartment, provided the wheelchair fits within the dimensions specified below.

Suitable means shall be provided to assist persons to rise from the rear seats with particular attention to the needs of people with disabilities.

Grab handles shall be placed at door entrances to assist the elderly and people with disabilities.

Approved anchorages shall be provided for wheelchairs. These anchorages must be either chassis or floor linked and be capable of withstanding stresses to a dynamic deceleration test of 15g peak at 20 mph. Restraints for wheelchair and occupant must be independent of each other. Anchorages must also be provided for the safe storage of a wheelchair when not in use, whether folded or otherwise, if carried within the passenger compartment. All anchorages and restraints must be so designed that they do not cause any danger to other passengers.

The door and doorway shall be so constructed as to permit an unrestricted opening across the doorway of at least 75 centimetres. The minimum angle of the door, when opened, must be 90 degrees.

The clear height of the doorway shall not be less than 120 centimetres.

The outer edge of the floor at each entrance must be fitted with non-slip treads.

The vertical distance between the highest part of the floor and the roof in the passenger compartment must not be less than 1.3 metres.

A ramp or ramps for the loading of a wheelchair and occupant shall be available at all times for use at the rear nearside passenger door. An adequate locating device must be fitted to ensure that the ramp/ramps do not slip or tilt when in use. Provision must be made for the ramps to be stored safely when not in use.

The inside of the vehicle shall have a partially glazed partition separating the passengers at the rear of the vehicle, from the driver. The front seat(s) of the vehicle will be included in the number of passengers allowed to use the vehicle; however, these seats shall be used at the driver's discretion in order to maintain the safety of the driver. When these seats are not to be used, the number of passengers carried should be reduced accordingly.

The driver's compartment shall be so designed that the driver has adequate room, can easily reach and quickly operate the controls and give hand signals on the offside of the vehicle.

The controls must be so placed as to allow reasonable access to the driver's seat and, when centrally placed, must be properly protected from contact with luggage.

Every vehicle must be provided with an approved means of communication between the passenger and driver.

Windows shall be provided at the sides and rear.

Passenger door windows must be capable of being opened easily by passengers when seated. The control for opening a door window must be clearly identified to prevent being mistaken for any other control.