Changes to taxi licensing policy

On the 13th of April 2021 the council approved a new taxi and private hire licensing policy. Some of the changes to the policy are: 

Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers

• drivers must sign up to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) update service (opens new window) and a check every 6 months
• drivers must report any arrest, charges or conviction within 48 hours
• a code of conduct for drivers has now been introduced

Hackney Carriage and private hire vehicles

• CCTV in licensed vehicles (from April 2023) (Word doc, 23 KB)
• emissions standards for licensed vehicles
• a suitability test for vehicle proprietors
• a transparent policy on executive hires

Private hire operators

• a defined 'fit and proper' test for licensed operators
• improved staff training and vetting
• improved procedures for
  • vetting drivers/vehicles allocated bookings
  • advertising
  • sub-contracting
  • tariff display
  • pickup/drop off procedures

Please read the full updated taxi policy 2021 (PDF, 1 MB) here.