Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Policy
Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Policy
We have a
responsibility to ensure that drivers, proprietors and operators of
hackney carriage and private hire vehicles are fit and proper
persons to hold such licenses. Accordingly, taxis, their drivers
and operators are licensed annually by the council. Vehicles are
subject to mechanical tests and drivers undergo periodic
CRB and medical
checks.
After consultation with
private hire and hackney carriage drivers and operators, Kent
Police, Kent County Council (Transport Co-ordination), and the
PCT, we agreed a Taxi
and Private Hire Policy on Thursday 21 February 2008. The Policy
brings its taxi related policies up to date, and in light of the
Best Practice Guidance produced by the Department of Transport,
formulates a comprehensive taxi licensing policy setting out
revised conditions and formalised procedures in relation to
licensing applications.
The policy concentrates on certain issues that
have caused difficulty in the past or that seem of particular
significance, including:
- Accessibility of vehicles for disabled
people
- Specification of vehicle types
- Vehicle testing
- Vehicle identification
- Quantity restrictions of taxi licences
- Taxi fares
- Driver licences and criminal record
checks
- Medical criteria
- Driver proficiency
- Private hire operators
- Enforcement
- Limousines
Whilst each application and enforcement
measure will continue to be considered on its own individual
merits, in exercising its taxi licensing functions the Council will
have regard to the policy document.
The policy came into effect on 1 April
2008.
Not withstanding the commitment to review the
policy every three years, the policy will also keep its policy
under review during each three year period and make appropriate
revisions.
Download the Taxi
Policy 420Kb PDF
If you require any further information please contact the
Licensing Team on 01233 330722.
Or email the Licensing Team
This webpage was updated on
4/10/2008