Taxi Driver Online

DIFFERING TAXI RULES QUESTIONED

COUNCILLORS were incredulous at a legal anomaly that means those applying for drivers licences for private hire vehicles have to disclose any convictions they may have, but taxi drivers don’t.

Those who sit on Copeland’s licensing panel had previously expressed concern at the delay by a licensed driver in disclosing a conviction he had acquired during the period of a licence.

It was subsequently agreed that drivers be asked to disclose any convictions within seven days.

That would allow the council to take early action in respect of anyone convicted of offences, particularly serious ones which posed a risk to the public.

However the legal position is that the condition requiring disclosure can be imposed on private hire drivers but not on taxi drivers, not without a change in the byelaws.

Such a change would require Home Office approval.

“It’s very strange,’’ said the council’s principal solicitor Clinton Boyce.

The council is writing to the Department of Transport and to the Home Office about a change to the situation.

why does this not surprise me in Copeland?

regards

Captain cab

The only thing that's strange is the fact that the council think it's strange.

Previous to the CRB lark, the council must have had a way to assess drivers fitness, and that must have been part of the bylaws, so why can't they do it now?

But even if it's not in the bylaws, it matter not a jot, because it's in the statutes, and in the end that's all the council need.

_________________
IDFIMH

The point about stretch limos taking passengers for hire and reward, is that they are illegal????

Unless they are properly licensed of course.

I would love for someome in authority to come on here and debate the legality of unlicensed stretch limos.

In fact I would welcome anyone from the stretch limo fraternity to debate their legality of service.

It won't be long before agencies outside the metropolitan district, excercise their right of enforcement against these unlicensed vehicles. I suspect these Limo operartors and drivers are not aware of the consequencies, but they soon wlll be.

Best wishes

JD