Taxi Driver Online

Can a LO remove a plate from a plated vehicle?

i.e. where vehicle is not compliant with licensing requirements.

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

They have done in our manor. It's the most effective way of encouraging compliance, IMHO. I'm not sure if it's legal or under what legislation they would be acting though.

The Town Police Clauses Act 1847

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Former taxi driver

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

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

Section 58 - Return of identification plate or disc on revocation or expiry of licence etc.

(1) On—
(a) the revocation or expiry of a vehicle licence in relation to a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle; or
(b) the suspension of a licence under section 68 of this Act;
a district council may by notice require the proprietor of that hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licensed by them to
to return them within seven days after the service on him of that notice the plate or disc which—
(a) in the case of a hackney carriage, is required to be affixed to the carriage as mentioned in section 38 of the Act of 1847; and
(b) in the case of a private hire vehicle, was issued for the vehicle under section 48(5) of this Act.

(2) If any proprietor fails without reasonable excuse to comply with the terms of a notice under subsection (1) of this section—
(a) he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F1level 3 on the standard scale] and to a
daily fine not exceeding ten pounds; and
(b) any authorised officer of the council or constable shall be entitled to remove and retain the said plate or disc from the said hackney
carriage or private hire vehicle.

Removal of plate = section 58 applies therefore a formal section 68 notice
MUST have been issued or section 58 would not apply unless licence had
expired or been revoked. (if revoked then formal notice should also have
been given in writing to include the right of appeal).
So no 68 = no 58 and if 68 was issued then a formal 58 notice would also have been required

BUT....a LO on a rank visit seeing an infringement can take a plate

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

Only in your manor. As stated above, a section 68 notice has to have been issued and that requires a period of time to permit an appeal.

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Grandad,

So if im on our rank, with (say) a busted headlamp, faulty meter or bald tyres the LO cant remove my plate?

surely thats his only real power?

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

No he can't not even in your manor, he has taken the plate illegally I feel a claim coming on

He can suspend your vehicle license until it's sorted.

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IDFIMH

Only by serving a section 68 notice, but he still can't take his plate.

But not remove the plate.

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Grandad,

which he can do there and then?

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

Yes he can do it there and then. hope he's a trained in mechanics though.