Is our Council doing this as well?

Blackpool Gazette

October 25, 2007

Taxi licence rules widen

MORE vehicles will come under the umbrella of taxi and private hire licensing rules following changes in the law.

Limousines, airport travel, chauffeur services, novelty vehicles, executive hire, park and ride and other operators will have to be licensed by the council by next January.

The new licensing rules are designed to enable councils to carry out safety checks on vehicles and suitability checks on their drivers in the interests of public safety.

Obligation

Following legislation passed by Government, the changes will also include drivers having to undertake a Criminal Records Bureau check.

The legal obligation is upon the vehicle operators to contact the council and they are being urged to do so as soon as possible.

Businesses and drivers working while not properly licensed could face prosecution, with significant fines and costs.

Coun Ian Fowler, cabinet member for business services and deputy leader of Blackpool Council, said: "We are lucky to have all kinds of private hire vehicles in Blackpool for our residents and visitors to use. The new licensing changes will make using the services safer so people can be less apprehensive about using them.

"There is a clear benefit for businesses too as they will feel more secure knowing their drivers have been vetted. Not being licensed could invalidate vehicle insurance, so clearly operators need to take action to make sure they comply."

Vehicles previously licensed under seven day contracts now come under the new laws and must be licensed by the local authority for the area they operate in.

I think our Licensing will point to being shortstaffed to chase limos, hmmmm........maybe if we pay them even more?

does this new rule mean that dirko will have to get a plate on?.

Unfortunately Ray our Sheff City Council doesn't have the resources or the will to challenge the big boys in big limos, especially when chasing cabbies is so much more fun. This law should have been applied here long ago, even Rotherham are kerbing the limo brigade but als not yet here.

New licensing laws to make you safer
http://www.thisishertfordshire.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1794180.mostviewed.new_licensing_laws_to_make_you_safer.php


NEW licensing laws are set to be introduced in the district (St Albans) in a bid to improve public safety.

Last year the Road Safety Act 2006 was implemented and it contains two provisions that affect Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing arrangements.

One part - Section 52 of the Road Safety Act 2006 - gives the licensing authority the power to immediately suspend or revoke a licence in the interests of public safety. Another - Section 53 of the Road Safety Act 2006 - has seen changes introduced in the law on private hire and taxi licensing, which will affect a wide range of vehicle operators.

Both sections will be adopted by St Albans District Council.

This means that limousines, airport travel, chauffeur services, novelty vehicles, executive hire, park and ride and other operators will have to be licensed by the council by January 2008.

The new licensing rules enables the council to carry out safety checks on vehicles and suitability checks on drivers in the interests of public safety.


People hiring vehicles will be able to feel more secure in the knowledge that businesses are licensed and the drivers have undertaken Criminal Records Bureau checks by the council.

Councillor Alison Steer, of the licensing and general purposes committee, said, "The new licensing changes will make the travelling public safer and businesses will feel more secure knowing their drivers have been vetted. Not being licensed could invalidate vehicle insurance, so clearly operators need to take action to make sure they comply."

Vehicles previously licensed under seven day contracts now come under the new laws and must be licensed by the local authority for the area they operate in.

There is however an exemption for vehicles used solely for weddings and funerals.

Moaning on here isn't going to change much is it? Get in touch with SCC and see what they have to say.