Private Hire 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.

Where separate seats for each person are provided, one person shall be counted for each separate seat where the vehicle is fitted with continuous seats, one person shall be counted for each completed length of 40.7cm (16") measured in a straight line along the front of each seat. Where continuous seating is fitted with arms for separating the seating spaces and they can be folded back or put out of use, the seats shall be measured as if the arms had not been fitted; any passenger(s) carried in the front of a vehicle must have separate seat(s) from the driver; the number of seats for which the vehicle is to be plated will be decided by the Borough Council's Authorised Officer/Testing Agent and will be based upon the items above and the bylaws. Any additional seating in the vehicle must be removed and the fixings plated over to prevent re-instatement, before the grant of a licence; wheelchair accessible vehicles will have the seating capacity determined for fixed seating and separately for passengers carried in wheelchairs.

All passenger seats must face forward or rearward to the direction of travel.

The vehicle must have seats with a minimum width of not less than 400mm per person.

The vehicle shall be fitted with appropriate seatbelts to the front and rear seats of the vehicle.

The vehicle shall have four side opening doors (designed for the purpose of permitting persons access to/from the interior) - any lift-up tailgate shall not be included; or a vehicle shall have three side opening doors (designed for the purpose of permitting persons access to/from the interior) and two rear opening doors (designed for the purpose of permitting persons access to/from the interior). Vehicles constructed with less than 4 doors may be considered for licensing as Private Hire Vehicles or Special Event Vehicles.

Any vehicle's suitability for licensing will also be determined by the positioning of its seating, fittings and fixtures for the ingress and egress of passengers and their safety.

The vehicle must have European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) and must show category M1 on the V5C/logbook.

If these requirements cannot be satisfied, or if the vehicle has been altered from the original manufacturers specification, then a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Individual Vehicle approval (IVA) or Voluntary Individual Vehicle Approval (VIVA) inspection must be undertaken, and a satisfactory report produced.

Wheelchair accessible vehicles shall be properly equipped with properly mounted fittings for the safe securing of a wheelchair and a passenger seated in it, when carried in the vehicle.

If a mechanical hoist is fitted to the vehicle this will be required to be inspected annually by the manufacturer or his approved agent and a certificate produced to that effect.