Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy 2021 to 2026

Private Hire Driver Licence Conditions

1. Conduct Of driver

The driver shall at all times when acting as a driver of a licensed vehicle:

• a) unless exempted in writing, wear the driver badge and display the dash display badge issued to by the Council inside the vehicle in such a position as to be visible at all times to persons conveyed therein
• b) afford all reasonable assistance with passenger's luggage
• c) comply with the Council's Dress Code and Code of Conduct
• d) behave in a civil and orderly manner at all times and in particular shall not engage in any activities of a sexual nature whilst acting as a driver of any vehicle licensed by this Council
• e) when requested by the Council attend a medical practitioner and/or submit to any drugs tests deemed appropriate
• f) take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of passengers conveyed in, entering or alighting from the vehicle driven by them
• g) not without the express consent of the hirer drink or eat whilst driving the vehicle
• h) not without the express consent of the hirer play any radio or sound reproducing instruments or equipment in the vehicle other than for the purpose of sending or receiving messages in connection with the operation of the vehicle
• i) at no time cause or permit the noise emitted by any radio or other previously mentioned equipment in the vehicle which he is driving to be a source of nuisance or annoyance to any person, whether inside or outside the vehicle; and;
• j) apply for the renewal of licence in advance to ensure continuity, there is no automatic period of grace
• k) submit any notifications, applications or statutory declarations required in this Policy via online forms or email to licensing.administration@stockton.gov.uk

2. Passengers

• a) the driver shall not convey or permit to be conveyed in a private hire vehicle a greater number of persons than that prescribed in the licence for the vehicle
• b) the driver shall not allow there to be conveyed in the front of a private hire vehicle
• c) any child below the age of ten years; or
• d) more than one person above that age (except where separate seats are provided)
• e) the driver shall not without the consent of the hirer of a vehicle convey or permit to be conveyed any other person in the vehicle, other than a person permitted by the licensed proprietor of the vehicle

3. Lost property

• a) The driver shall immediately after the termination of any hiring of a private hire vehicle or as soon as practicable thereafter carefully search the vehicle for any property which may have been accidentally left there
• b) If any property accidentally left in a private hire vehicle by any person who may have been conveyed therein is found by or handed to the driver the property shall be returned to the owner if known or handed in at a Police Station as soon as possible

4. Written receipts

The driver shall if required by the hirer of a private hire vehicle provide a written receipt for the fare paid. The receipt shall contain:

• date of issue
• time of issue
• vehicle licence plate number
• driver name and licence number
• metered fare (when applicable)
• metered extras (when applicable)
• total fare

5. Animals

• a) The driver shall not whilst hired, carry in a private hire vehicle any animal belonging to or in the custody of themselves or the proprietor or operator of the vehicle
• b) Any animal belonging to or in the custody of any passenger may at the driver's discretion be conveyed in the vehicle but shall only be conveyed in the rear of the vehicle

Note:

This discretion does not apply to a disable person's guide, hearing or assistance dog which must be carried in a private hire vehicle without any additional charge, unless the driver holds a Certificate of Exemption on medical grounds issued under the Equality Act 2010.

6. Prompt attendance

The driver of a private hire vehicle shall, if he is aware that the vehicle has been hired to be in attendance at any appointed time and place punctually attend at the appointed time and place, unless unavoidably delayed or prevented from doing so when he shall inform the Operator of his delay.

 7. Copy of conditions

The driver shall at all times when driving a private hire vehicle carry a copy of these conditions and shall make it available for inspection by the hirer or any other passenger on request.

8. Deposit of licence record card

If the driver is permitted or employed to drive a private hire vehicle of which the proprietor is someone other than themselves, he shall before commencing to drive that vehicle deposit the licence record card with the licensed private hire operator for retention, until such time as the driver ceases to be permitted or employed to drive the vehicle or any other vehicle of his.

9. Taximeter

If a private hire vehicle being driven by the driver is fitted with a taximeter, the driver shall not cause the fare recorded thereon to be cancelled or concealed until the hirer has had a reasonable opportunity of examining it and has paid the fare.

10.  Fare to be demanded

The driver shall not demand from any hirer of a private hire vehicle a fare in excess of any previously agreed for that hiring between the hirer and the operator (unless a deviation of the route is requested by the hirer) or, if the vehicle is fitted with a taximeter and there has been no previous agreement as to the fare, the fare shown of the face of the taximeter.

11.  Change of address

The driver shall notify the Council in writing of any change of his address that appears on the licence during the period of the licence within seven days of such change taking place.

12.  Convictions

• a) drivers will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure status check every 6 months. All licensed drivers are required to evidence continuous registration with the DBS update service to enable the Licensing Authority to routinely use the Multiple Status Check Facility (MSCF) to check for new information
• b) drivers are required to notify the Council in writing, within 48 hours of an arrest and release, charge or conviction of any sexual offence, any offence involving dishonesty or violence and any motoring offence
• c) drivers shall notify the Council in writing, within seven days of an arrest and release, charge or conviction of any other offence not detailed above
• d) a failure by a driver to disclose an arrest that the Council is subsequently advised of may be seen as behaviour that questions honesty and therefore the suitability of the driver regardless of the outcome of the initial allegation

13.  Return of badges

The driver shall upon the expiry (without immediate renewal), revocation or suspension of this licence forthwith return to the Council the driver's badges and record card issued by the Council when granting his licence.

14.  Loss/theft of identification badges

Loss or theft of the driver's licence or identification badges must be reported to the Council using the appropriate online form or email, as soon as the loss becomes known and in any case within two working days.

15.  Medical fitness

Drivers must inform the licensing service immediately if they suffer from a medical condition or disability or a condition or disability previously notified worsens that may alter their ability to drive a vehicle.

• a) a driver who receives medical treatment or medical consultation shall confirm with their medical attendant whether they are at that time fit to undertake the duties of a licensed driver in accordance with the DVLA's Guide to Medical Standards of Fitness for a Group 2 licence holder. Where any medical attendant specifies that a driver or prospective driver should not drive for a determinate or indeterminate period, the driver or prospective driver shall notify the Council immediately in writing of such medical opinion
• b) existing licensees aged over 45 years must provide a medical examination report as evidence of their medical fitness to hold a licence every five years and after the age of 65 years, annually

16.  Time spent abroad

Drivers shall notify the Council in writing when they intend to spend more than 3 months out of the country. Such notification shall include details of the country to be visited and relevant dates of departure and anticipated return. On return the driver shall complete and submit to the Council a statutory declaration.