Taxi Driver Online

Sorry about this, I've taken a lazy fit, and can't be bothered looking for the answer in the myriad of information concerning our trade and PHVs.

Are PHVs required by law to return to a base, unless given a radio hire on whilst out on the road ? If so, does this apply in Scotland?

The reason for asking is there are 2 operators in Falkirk who allow their PHVs to "rank" alongside general plates on their "pseudo" ranks situated near the supermarkets they have free phones in.

I have no direct interest in this happening, other than I think it's wrong. I will be attending a forum meeting in a fortnight and would like to clarify the situation before I raise it with the licensing officer.


On a similar vein, does an unmet demand survey take PHVs into account?

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

Handy taxis in Dundee had a similar situation at an asda store, our enforcement officer told the PH it was illegal for them to sit and apply for hire they no longer sit there unless they have a call. Regards having to return to base I have searched but have not yet been unable to find any legislation of that nature.

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Watch out curiosity killed the cat

Isnt a rank the only place a HC can await a job too though?....not a layby or suchlike....

requiring a PH to return to base after a drop is a waste of fuel, and against all the green issues currently at the fore in the news, if they arent touting or plying or taking a flag down, whats the problem exactly

BTW, theres nothing about this in our PH regs.

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

In Scotland, a PH (or taxi) must return to it's licensed area upon completion of a hire, unless it has another hire to go to.

Returning to base is not required.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Thanks all for the answers.

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

Not sure about Scotland, but in England the answer is yes and no.

No because it's not written in any statutes, and yes because some councils write it up as a condition of license.

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IDFIMH

The DfT say it should i.e. recent best practise, but Halcrow say it shouldn't i.e. old case law.

But if PH are illegally picking up, then that's defined as taxi SUD i.e. recent case law.

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IDFIMH

It means that PH are breaking the law. They do it blatantly in front of me when I am for hire... so that is a load of rubbish

WTF are you on about?

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IDFIMH

If PHV don't return to base but are parked up, is that not illegal plying for hire if they are in public view??

No.

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IDFIMH

if i signwrite the roof of my PHV, and assuming google earth takes a decent image, could that be touting/plying for hire?....unless covered.

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

I was always led to believe a PHV should return to base after a job, totally unworkable imo and wastful, but there is a flip side to it, it should be illegal, or actually is for a PHV to sit and wait near pubs,clubs,station's etc, this to me is inviting the public to offer money to the driver for an unbooked ride, but if the PHV wasn't parked up near these sort of places the temptation would be removed, I've nothing against a PHV waiting in a side road or on an industrial estate for a call, but being blatant is just considered crass, the older lads I used to PH with use their loaf, I know they have a pinch if they can get away with it, but a lot of the newer drivers think they are HC's and it's their right to pull on a rank and take whoever is standing there, we've all done it at some time but when you ignore your radio to constantly form an illegal rank and overcharge ppl, then something is wrong.

I would park up though. Best practice would be to park up asap somewere legal, shopping centre, public car park, quiet side road etc. Wait to see were your next job is. Very waistfull returning to ops centre after every job,

I can just imagine the chaos caused cos all the Delta drivers return to base before getting another job. There's only 1700 of them, there abouts

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!