03 September 2010The Council's role in taxi licensing
The Council is responsible for licensing all hire vehicles which operate in Sevenoaks District and which are provided with a driver and operated with less than nine passenger seats.
There are two types: public hire vehicles (hackney carriages) and vehicles which are only available by prior booking (private hire vehicles).
Although the description 'taxi' should only be applied to a hackney carriage any hire vehicle is usually known as a 'taxi' by the public.
Before any vehicle is licensed it is tested at the Council's vehicle workshop. The test covers the vehicle's mechanics, general appearance, comfort for passengers and the reliability of any meter fitted.
The Council also is responsible for the licensing of the drivers of both classes of vehicle. Within the scope of legislation the Council ensures that all drivers are 'fit and proper persons' to be licensed by carrying out checks on an applicant's background and testing their knowledge of the area they will be working in. Click here to view the Council Taxi fees applicable from 01.04.10 (
PDF File 7KB file details)which are not inclusive of the fees paid for a Medical Examination (£55), Driving Standards Agency Driving Test for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers (£78) both of which, in addition to the Criminal Records Bureau Fee (shown in the list of fees), have to be completed by the applicant.
As part of ensuring drivers are suitable for licensing, the Council carries out criminal record checks with the Criminal Records Bureau. Policy documents relating to the licensing of ex-offenders (Policy document - Licensing Ex-Offenders ( PDF 56K file details) and the Storage and Handling etc of Information (Policy Document Storage & Handling of information ( PDF 35K file details) can be viewed here. Applicants are encouraged to read these documents and may request copies if required. For more information, visit the Criminal Records Bureau website. New applicants for a licence will be given details of how to contact the Criminal Records Bureau for their check when they visit an Officer from the Licensing Section.
Changes to the DSA taxi assessment
From 4th October 2010 DSA is introducing changes to all practical driving tests, including the DSA private hire and Hackney carriage assessment.
Drivers will be asked to drive independently for a period of approximately 10 minutes by following either:
The aim is to allow the driver to show their ability to handle road and traffic conditions safely while following a series of traffic signs and / or verbal directions.
More information about the change to practical driving tests has been published on Directgov.
You can also watch a video about the independent driving section of the test.
Additionally, candidates will now only be asked to perform one manoeuvre. For the DSA private hire and Hackney carriage assessment this will be the bespoke taxi manoeuvre.
DSA will be updating its private hire and Hackney carriage assessment literature to reflect these changes in due course.
You can also watch a video about the independent driving section of the test.
Additionally, candidates will now only be asked to perform one manoeuvre. For the DSA private hire and Hackney carriage assessment this will be the bespoke taxi manoeuvre.
DSA will be updating its private hire and Hackney carriage assessment literature to reflect these changes in due course.
The Council also has a responsibility as the 'Enforcement Agency' of the drivers and vehicles it has licensed. Enforcement covers criminal offences related to 'taxi' legislation, drivers' behaviour, the condition of the vehicles and the investigation of complaints made by the public against any licence holder.
There are five licences issued in respect of hackney carriage and private hire licensing as follows Hackney Carriage Driver Licence. Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence. Private Hire Driver Licence. Private Hire Vehicle Licence and a Private Hire Operator's Licence.
Private Hire Drivers and Vehicles can only work under a Private Hire Operator's Licence which is issued to the person or firm who makes the provision for the invitation or acceptance of bookings for a private hire vehicle. The person or firm who holds the Operator's Licence can be the same as who has been issued with the private hire vehicle licence although this does not have to be the case. However all three licences (driver, vehicle and operator) must have been issued by the same Licensing Authority. There can be no advertising for private hire work until the Private Hire Operator's Licence has been issued.''
As well as granting and issuing licences the Council can also suspend or revoke licences and take Court action if necessary against any offending licence holder.
Licensing and enforcement is carried out by Council officers appointed 'Authorised Officers' for that purpose and they have been issued with written authority to do so as well as having a Council identity badge.
PDF File 286KB file details) PDF 947K file details)Hackney carriage
A hackney carriage should have an illuminated taxi sign on the roof, a 'for hire' sign and a meter inside the vehicle to show the fare being charged. They can be hired from a taxi rank or by being hailed in the street. In addition a hackney carriage can also perform the work of a private hire vehicle and can also be booked over the phone or by visiting the vehicle's operating centre.
A hackney carriage can be a purpose built vehicle, such as the London type black cab, a saloon car or any other passenger vehicle which carries no more than eight passengers.
Private Hire Vehicle
A private hire vehicle can only be hired by pre-booking it or by visiting the operating centre of the vehicle. A private hire vehicle will not have any signs on the roof or a 'for hire' sign although it can have a meter. Almost all the owners of private hire vehicles in Sevenoaks District choose not to have meters.
A private hire vehicle will normally be a saloon car or other passenger carrying vehicle with less than nine passenger seats other than a hackney carriage.
Hiring a vehicle
The person hiring either a hackney carriage or a private hire vehicle is entering into a contract with the driver of the vehicle or with a firm for them to provide a service. It is up to the individual to ensure clear instructions are given regarding their requirements at the time of hiring the vehicle. If it is a pre-booked call, specify when the vehicle is needed and find out whether a meter is being used or get a quote for the cost of the journey. If a meter is being used in the vehicle the meter cannot be started until the journey begins.
Hackney carriages must not charge more than the maximum fare rate laid down by the Council. However they can charge less and many do. Each hackney carriage has to display the Council's list of maximum fares. Anyone in doubt should look at the meter and compare it with the list of fares. The list of maximum fares ( PDF File 20KB file details) was last revised on 9th September 2008.
Private hire vehicles are not governed by a Council maximum fare rate and can charge what they like. In the majority of cases the fares for journeys are quoted the same or less than hackney carriage fares.
When pre-booking a vehicle, it is sometimes a good idea to get quotes from more than one 'taxi' or firm.
All hackney carriage and private hire vehicles licensed by the Council must display an identification plate on the rear and outside of the vehicle and the drivers must wear an identification badge. Certain private hire vehicles, such as limousines or luxury and classic vehicles, are exempt as are some drivers. Any driver or vehicle which is exempt should carry a letter of exemption in the vehicle and the driver must their identity badge with them.
Personal Safety Information for all Licensed Drivers
For the information of all licensed drivers. The Department for Transport has issued advice for all licensed drivers as to their personal safety when working. This information can be found on their website guidance on the safety of taxi & PHV drivers
Wheelchair accessible hire vehicles
There are a small number of wheelchair accessible vehicles available in Sevenoaks District which are licensed by the Council. They are available from the following firms or individual owner/drivers:
Sevenoaks area
Beeline Radio Taxis (Sevenoaks) Ltd - 01732 456214
Please select the following link for Beeline Taxi's Website
Victor Hire Taxis- 01732 452089
Please select the following link for Victor Hire Taxis
ABC Cars Sevenoaks - 01732 779599 or 07961 924028 (Mobile)
Swanley area
Swantax Limited - 01322 660777
Edenbridge area
Reylon - 01732 863800
The Council welcomes views and information from the public regarding their needs for wheelchair accessible vehicles, the availability of currently licensed vehicles or what would help to provide an efficient 'taxi' service for people with physical disabilities.
How to make a 'taxi' related complaint
To make any complaint regarding a licensed driver or vehicle please contact the Council's Licensing Section using the contact details below.
Safety information for passengers
Persons using or thinking of using hackney carriages or private hire vehicles and who may have concerns as to personal or vehicle safety, in addition to contacting the Council's Licensing Section (details at bottom of this page on Taxis and Licences), may wish to read the information contained on the Taxiwise publication ( PDF File 339KB file details)
Further information is available on their website www.taxiwise.com
How to contact the Council's Licensing Section
Licensing Section
Sevenoaks District Council
Council Offices
Argyle Road
Sevenoaks
Kent TN13 1HG
Telephone 01732 227004
e-mail: taxi.licensing.officer@sevenoaks.gov.uk
Please use this link to view the Application Forms used for Hackney Carriage and Private Vehicle Licensing.
