Taxi Driver Online

I am in the process of applying to become a Winchester licensed PH operator.

I am stuck at vehicle choice. The council publish the following:

6
Private Hire Vehicles
When first presented for licensing as a private hire vehicle, the vehicle
must be within certain age limits:
a All vehicles, both saloon and purpose built, when licensed for the first
time must be less than three years from the date of first registration.
The Vehicle can remain in use for six years from the date of first
registration after which it may be renewed on a year by year basis at
the discretion of an Authorised Officer.
b Once the Vehicle is six years old and every year thereafter, the vehicle
must be presented to an Authorised Officer for an inspection for its
appearance and suitability prior to testing at the nominated garage and
renewal of the licence. Any vehicle that is not to the satisfaction of an
Authorised Officer must be repaired, prior to the expiry date, or
replaced, subject to the age limits above.
c A converted vehicle should have a certificate of conversion from a
reputable company and will not be accepted without such a document.
d In exceptional circumstances these age limits may be waived. For
example, a classic car or executive vehicle in excellent condition.
6.2 All vehicles must have at least four doors. Saloon vehicles must have
four doors in addition to any tailgate.
6.3 The engine capacity must be not less than 1600 cc.
6.4 In exceptional circumstances, an exemption certificate may be granted
to dispense with the requirement to display the licence plate. This will
only be granted where satisfactory proof of “executive hiring” has been
received by the Council.

Given the above guidelines. Would you expect a 2005 Mercedes E320 CDI Saloon to be appropriate ? Although it's more than 3 years old - it is executive ?

Also the 1600cc limit excludes a Toyota Prius 2009 - they are listed as 1.3 - but have more than enough power when you consider the hybrid output.

How would I go about approaching the council for either of the above cars ? I want something set in stone so I can chose my target market etc.

No, not on first licensing.

The policy clearly states;
'When first presented for licensing as a private hire vehicle, the vehicle must be within certain age limits:
a) All vehicles, both saloon and purpose built, when licensed for the first time must be less than three years from the date of first registration.'


Again no, but you could try because it's a low emission vehicle and everyone is going that way or should be.


Ask for a meeting with the chief licensing officer and see what he says, but don't hold your breath.

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

My reading of the condition says it will be licensed, but you need to get it cleared by the licensing team before you buy/license/plate it.

_________________
IDFIMH

If they are listed then you should be ok, but contact your council beforehand.

_________________
IDFIMH

I suppose I should have clarified my first post better ( I wrote it on my phone)

In the forum's experience, if I apply in writing to the Licensing Officer do they tend to have a sensible view on the following:

-All vehicles, both saloon and purpose built, when licensed for the first
time must be less than three years from the date of first registration.

-In exceptional circumstances these age limits may be waived. For
example, a classic car or executive vehicle in excellent condition.

-The engine capacity must be not less than 1600 cc.

And will they give me a written answer, on which I could then buy the Mercedes or the Prius for example.

Thanks

Ring them up and ask to either speak to the decision maker, or ask for an appointment.

Then ask them to confirm it with an e-mail.

_________________
IDFIMH

my jan 2006 (55 plate) will be too old to have a plate come jan 2012 "without special exemption"

seeing as they ALL have to pass a "compliance" test (new/or with an MOT) what exactly will a "special exemption test" prove, other than the council aint got a clue...

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

best not to ask for the organ grinder rather than his monkey

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

and how many "1.6" models are NOT actually 1600cc?

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

Does anyone have a similar experience where there is lack of clarity on vehicles ?

I really can't afford to start out with a under 3 year E class but I can afford a < 3 year Prius (1.3 model rather then current 1.

For the local market - Whiteley (a small town/business district near Winchester/Southampton/Portsmouth) is there a consensus for which vehicle would suit me best, for local work and airports runs to Southampton and also Heathrow/Gatwick.

I am just starting out and could do with some first hand experience of starting out.

There are two other private hire companies in the village - they might be on here ? I am trying to find a USP between the two firms. Once running an Insignia and the other more executive with S-class and V-class. I am not trying to tread on their toes - could I approach them for work sharing and if so , what's the best way to approach them ?

Isn't the Prius a 1.5 litre petrol engine? Still not much use to you if you are needing a 1.6 but the joint power of the 1.5 engine and the electric motor must surely make it more than equivelant to 1.6 litre. Well that would be part of my argument. The other part may be to find out when the 1.6 litre condition was first added and point out that since then engine technology has improved and the power of a modern 1.3 litre engine is actually more that a 1.6 litre engine was when the policy was introduced.

_________________
Grandad,

All the time, but this is solved by ringing up the council.

_________________
IDFIMH

mk1 prius was 1.5, the mk2 are 1.8 i thought?

all depends on budget, plus the hybrids arent THAT good mpg unless you do mainly town driving?

Focus 1.6tdci 60mpg average or an octavia? saab or alfa 1.9 tdi

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

You can buy a brand new skoda for around £65 a week

Yes , I was confusing it with the Civic IMA when I posted.

They should allow the Civic and the 1.5 Prius in my opinion - they are hardly slow compared to the asthmatic 1.6 non turbo diesels I see locally.