Taxi Driver Online :: View topic - Norwich now has a 'taxi tank'

I wonder if this bright spark, who works in legal services, has considered such luxuries as getting the bloody thing licensed?

The 38-year-old, who works in legal services, said insurance has been cheaper on the military vehicle than the family's Honda Civic, which remains the main mode of transport to school, though the tank is used occasionally for trips to the park.[...]

"It's amazing, the insurance is cheaper than my car, I guess it's the risk of damage."

We provide fixed rates for a number of venues in Norwich, such as Dunston Hall. A trip from Norwich city to Dunston Hall, for example, is a fixed £800. Given the tank seats 9 that comes to less than £100 per person. You can also save 50% on a return trip. Plus our small business is under the VAT threshold so you do not need to pay VAT for the ride!

Any reason why it wouldn't need licensed?

Just going to post the link.

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/tank-taxis ... ch-8095654

I wonder if this bright spark, who works in legal services, has considered such luxuries as getting the bloody thing licensed?

Sussex wrote:

Think the Council will be chasing him for damage to road surfaces and an insurance policy to cover that will be very expensive.

Quote:

Any reason why it wouldn't need licensed?

None whatsoever.

I suspect he has already had a call from the council.

NOTE: This website is a placeholder and we are not yet open for bookings as we are looking into local private hire licensing requirements!

With the rear door latched and the hatch down, no one you don't want can get in. You can open a panel at the rear to look out, or view the outside through the commander's periscopes, without being in the open.

In particular, the regulations require any passenger vehicle carrying more than eight people to have exits big enough to get passengers out quickly in the event of an emergency. Many limousines do not comply with this requirement. In addition, the regulations require European-approved lamps, mirrors, tyres, seat belts and glass, which are not present on American vehicles, and the regulations on turning circle are not met by most stretched American vehicles.

The Vehicle has been modified since leaving the military – what you see is what you get. Please note it does not have seat belts and is restricted by law to travel at no more than 20mph on public roads. Travel may be slower in built up areas, narrow lanes and tight spaces.

The Supplier shall be as careful as possible but if you require the Vehicle to drive onto private property please be aware the steel tracks can damage paving stones and other weak ground surfaces, and leave ruts in mud, grass, gravel and other soft surfaces. The Supplier accepts no liability whatsoever for damage caused as a result of being asked to drive the Vehicle onto such terrain. The Vehicle may not be able to access narrow or restricted roads.

...never stand or permit anyone in their party to stand in front of or behind the Vehicle while the engine is running, exit the Vehicle while the engine is running, or stand on top of the Vehicle while the engine is running;

...not exit or permit anyone in their party to exit through the top of the Vehicle unless under the supervision of the Supplier in so doing and in full awareness that they must be careful on top due to trip hazards on top of the vehicle. Anyone under the influence of alcohol is not permitted on top of the Vehicle for safety reasons;

...be aware that there are knobs and levers inside the Vehicle on which it is possible to get caught if not taking due care, and shall take all due care and acknowledge that the Supplier is not liable for damages should the Customer or any member of the party travelling with them bump, scratch or cut themselves while moving around inside the vehicle

or simply didn't do their research

What they actually mean is that they'd either chance their arm and thought no one would notice, or simply didn't do their research [-X

Author:	Sussex [ Tue Jun 29, 2021 6:37 pm ]
Post subject:	Norwich now has a 'taxi tank'
Just going to post the link. https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/tank-taxis ... ch-8095654 I wonder if this bright spark, who works in legal services, has considered such luxuries as getting the bloody thing licensed?

Author:	edders23 [ Tue Jun 29, 2021 6:59 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwick now has a 'taxi tank'
Norwick ? well I suppose there must be some sort of market in Shetland I heard there's a bloke in the capital of "Narfark" trying this

Author:	StuartW [ Wed Jun 30, 2021 2:04 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwick now has a 'taxi tank'
Sussex wrote: I wonder if this bright spark, who works in legal services, has considered such luxuries as getting the bloody thing licensed? Any reason why it wouldn't need licensed? And since he's bragging about how cheap the insurance is (presumably just for SDP use), I wonder if he's got hire and reward insurance, and how he got hire and reward insurance without it being plated as a PHV (presumably)? Taxi Tank wrote: The 38-year-old, who works in legal services, said insurance has been cheaper on the military vehicle than the family's Honda Civic, which remains the main mode of transport to school, though the tank is used occasionally for trips to the park.[...] "It's amazing, the insurance is cheaper than my car, I guess it's the risk of damage." Risk of damage? No doubt less chance of other vehicles damaging his vehicle, but if his 'taxi tank' hits another vehicle... Taxi Tank's website wrote: We provide fixed rates for a number of venues in Norwich, such as Dunston Hall. A trip from Norwich city to Dunston Hall, for example, is a fixed £800. Given the tank seats 9 that comes to less than £100 per person. You can also save 50% on a return trip. Plus our small business is under the VAT threshold so you do not need to pay VAT for the ride! £800 for a trip that's less than six miles, according to Google So at those prices he's presumably not anticipating doing many runs if he's not intending registering for VAT

Author:	edders23 [ Wed Jun 30, 2021 5:18 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwick now has a 'taxi tank'
we did one to Dunston Hall about 10 years ago from Stamford I think we charged £120 for the vehicle He clearly hasn't thought this through novelty vehicles can charge a premium but not that much !

Author:	Sussex [ Wed Jun 30, 2021 7:16 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich now has a 'taxi tank'
Quote: Any reason why it wouldn't need licensed? None whatsoever. I suspect he has already had a call from the council.

Taxi Driver Online http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/

Norwich now has a 'taxi tank' http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=37096	Page 1 of 2

Author:	heathcote [ Wed Jun 30, 2021 9:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich now has a 'taxi tank'
Sussex wrote: Just going to post the link. https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/tank-taxis ... ch-8095654 I wonder if this bright spark, who works in legal services, has considered such luxuries as getting the bloody thing licensed? Think the Council will be chasing him for damage to road surfaces and an insurance policy to cover that will be very expensive.

Author:	grandad [ Thu Jul 01, 2021 9:33 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich now has a 'taxi tank'
Sussex wrote: Just going to post the link. https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/tank-taxis ... ch-8095654 I wonder if this bright spark, who works in legal services, has considered such luxuries as getting the bloody thing licensed? It carries 9 passengers so it is outside the scope of local authority licensing and comes under the traffic commissioners office.

Author:	grandad [ Thu Jul 01, 2021 9:35 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich now has a 'taxi tank'
heathcote wrote: Sussex wrote: Just going to post the link. https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/tank-taxis ... ch-8095654 I wonder if this bright spark, who works in legal services, has considered such luxuries as getting the bloody thing licensed? Think the Council will be chasing him for damage to road surfaces and an insurance policy to cover that will be very expensive. I believe that for these vehicles to be road legal they have to have rubber tracks.

Author:	StuartW [ Thu Jul 01, 2021 9:58 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich now has a 'taxi tank'
heathcote wrote: Think the Council will be chasing him for damage to road surfaces and an insurance policy to cover that will be very expensive. Wondered about that too, but if Grandad's correct then obviously it's maybe not such an issue. But couldn't help notice this video on their website at the bottom of the page linked to below. It shows the 'tank' going round a roundabout, and a police car has to give way to it, but doesn't show any interest in it. And it looks like a traffic car too Of course, it's probably well known in the area, so they possibly know it's road legal, thus give it a body swerve. https://www.tanktaxi.co.uk/about-us

Author:	StuartW [ Mon Jul 05, 2021 3:06 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich now has a 'taxi tank'
Sussex wrote: Quote: Any reason why it wouldn't need licensed? None whatsoever. I suspect he has already had a call from the council. Funnily enough, this has been added to the website's homepage Tank Taxi wrote: NOTE: This website is a placeholder and we are not yet open for bookings as we are looking into local private hire licensing requirements! What they actually mean is that they'd either chance their arm and thought no one would notice, or simply didn't do their research But presumably Norwich licensing have been in touch, either unilaterally, or following a complaint from the local trade

Author:	grandad [ Mon Jul 05, 2021 7:00 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich now has a 'taxi tank'
But it has 9 passengers seats!!!

Author:	StuartW [ Mon Jul 05, 2021 9:08 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich now has a 'taxi tank'
Nine passenger seats indeed, but surely has zero chance of any kind of licence from the traffic commissioners, so it's presumably a case of reducing the seating capacity and trying the PHV route. No doubt Grandad knows more about those sorts of difficulties than me from his stretch limo days, but I'm guessing entry and exit in particular would make a bus licence of any kind impossible, and I'd bet Norwich City Council would prefer not to have to decide whether or not it's viable as a PHV. But one or two nuggets on Tank Taxi's website that may be of interest: Tank Taxi wrote: With the rear door latched and the hatch down, no one you don't want can get in. You can open a panel at the rear to look out, or view the outside through the commander's periscopes, without being in the open. Of course, the corollary of uninvited guests being unable to get in is that the occupants will have some difficulty getting out in an emergency etc. VOSA's stretch limo guidance states: VOSA wrote: In particular, the regulations require any passenger vehicle carrying more than eight people to have exits big enough to get passengers out quickly in the event of an emergency. Many limousines do not comply with this requirement. In addition, the regulations require European-approved lamps, mirrors, tyres, seat belts and glass, which are not present on American vehicles, and the regulations on turning circle are not met by most stretched American vehicles. I wonder what the Tank Taxi's turning circle is? https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... es__2_.pdf This is under 'terms and conditions': Tank Taxi wrote: The Vehicle has been modified since leaving the military – what you see is what you get. Please note it does not have seat belts and is restricted by law to travel at no more than 20mph on public roads. Travel may be slower in built up areas, narrow lanes and tight spaces. Suspect at the very least it would need seat belts for a PHV plate. Tank Taxi wrote: The Supplier shall be as careful as possible but if you require the Vehicle to drive onto private property please be aware the steel tracks can damage paving stones and other weak ground surfaces, and leave ruts in mud, grass, gravel and other soft surfaces. The Supplier accepts no liability whatsoever for damage caused as a result of being asked to drive the Vehicle onto such terrain. The Vehicle may not be able to access narrow or restricted roads. Looks like he didn't get those rubber tracks fitted after all These next conditions are what customers are forbidden to do. All sounds a bit ropey for a prospective licensed vehicle in my unprofessional opinion: Tank Taxi wrote: ...never stand or permit anyone in their party to stand in front of or behind the Vehicle while the engine is running, exit the Vehicle while the engine is running, or stand on top of the Vehicle while the engine is running; ...not exit or permit anyone in their party to exit through the top of the Vehicle unless under the supervision of the Supplier in so doing and in full awareness that they must be careful on top due to trip hazards on top of the vehicle. Anyone under the influence of alcohol is not permitted on top of the Vehicle for safety reasons; ...be aware that there are knobs and levers inside the Vehicle on which it is possible to get caught if not taking due care, and shall take all due care and acknowledge that the Supplier is not liable for damages should the Customer or any member of the party travelling with them bump, scratch or cut themselves while moving around inside the vehicle More generally, the Terms and Conditions page is very comprehensive and legalistic, but I suppose that's just consistent with his back ground in legal services. But which makes it all the more strange that he didn't consider the licensing legals before now https://www.tanktaxi.co.uk/newpage

Author:	edders23 [ Mon Jul 05, 2021 11:08 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich now has a 'taxi tank'
Quote: or simply didn't do their research It's amazing how many people think that you can just advertise yourself as in business and away you go and based on the ridiculous fares he's quoting I doubt he has ever used a taxi in his life so hadn't got a clue how things work !

Author:	grandad [ Mon Jul 05, 2021 11:24 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich now has a 'taxi tank'
Some Councils would license vehicles as "special event" vehicles and had a different set of criteria. I think Litchfield was one of them. Our Council has licensed a motorcycle trike for private hire use.

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Author:	Sussex [ Mon Jul 05, 2021 8:15 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Norwich now has a 'taxi tank'
Quote: What they actually mean is that they'd either chance their arm and thought no one would notice, or simply didn't do their research Love the idea of no one noticing that bloody great big thing taking punters down the road, but I suspect he didn't know the full SP. But does now.