Taxi drivers could be banned from wearing tracksuits, sandals and football shirts under new dress codehttps://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... r-17578907Council bosses want to introduce a dress code for licensed drivers in a bid to create a ‘positive image’ and reduce complaints, which would also see drivers prohibited from using e-cigarettes in the carTaxi and private hire drivers in Manchester could be banned from wearing tracksuits, football shirts, flip-flops and clothes with ‘offensive’ words on them under new rules being considered by the town hall.
Bosses at Manchester City Council want to introduce a dress code for licensed drivers in a bid to create a ‘positive image’ and reduce complaints, which would also see drivers prohibited from using e-cigarettes or having lengthy mobile phone calls in the car.
Under the rules that have been drawn up by the town hall, drivers would also be prohibited from wearing hoodies or short skirts.
New documents say the council will stop short of imposing a specific uniform, but it has released a list of ‘unacceptable’ examples.
These include:
• Clothing that is not kept in a clean condition, free from holes, rips or other damage.
• Words or graphics on any clothing that is of an offensive or suggestive nature which might offend.
• Sportswear e.g. football/rugby kits including shirts, tracksuits in whole or part or beachwear.
• Sandals with no heel straps, flip flops or any other footwear not secure around the heel.
• The wearing of any hood or any other type of clothing that may obscure the driver’s vision or their identity.
The documents also lay out proposed ‘minimum standards’ for male and female drivers.
“As a minimum standard whilst working a licensed driver, males should wear trousers and a shirt which has a full body and short/long sleeves. Knee-length tailored shorts are acceptable,” it says.
“As a minimum standard whilst working as a licensed driver, females should wear trousers, or a knee-length skirt or dress, and a shirt/blouse which has a full body and a short/long sleeve. Knee-length tailored shorts are also acceptable,” it continues.
Exceptions related to faith or disability for both genders are accepted, the papers add.
The plans have been revealed in documents going before Monday’s licensing meeting where they will be discussed by councillors.
They come as part of wider plans by the town hall to take a look at private hire licensing conditions.
As well as a clearer dress code, ‘refreshed licence conditions’ could include prohibitions on vaping, conducting ‘lengthy telephone conversations’ whilst driving passengers or ‘use any hand-held device whilst driving or allow themselves to be distracted in any other way’.
Private hire drivers will also be prevented from waiting without a booking outside busy venues or in high footfall locations in a bid to stop illegal plying.
Officers believe that conduct and compliance standards would be improved if ‘greater clarity’ was provided for drivers and operators, adding that this would lead to fewer complaints and an improved public perception.
They also hope to raise the public awareness of how each local authority has different licensing rules for private hire operators and drivers - and the ‘varying standards’.
Some operators working within Manchester hold a licence from elsewhere and officers hope that residents and visitors to the city will ‘support Manchester as a licensing authority that prides itself on endeavouring to raise the bar in the regulation of an industry where risks around vulnerability could be high’.
The council will now begin a 12-week consultation on its proposals, with an expectation that the amended licence conditions will apply to the majority of licensees by the end of 2022.
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