Taxi Driver Online

Hi. Can anyone point in the right direction. I've just started reading up on the subject of legally carrying passengers but not licenced with the local authority. Aparently you can licence with The Dept. of Transport as a small passnger vehicle.
1. What's the best reading material.
2. How many hoops do you have to jump through.
3. Any other helpful advice
Hs it already been discussed on this site-if so, where?
Thanks
Foggy

I haven't got a clue about it but what is the problem with getting licenced

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

The first question to ask yourself is "why don't I just license with the council?" It is still the easiest option with the greatest flexability.
The restricted PCV route is only suitable if this is not your main source of income. The advantages are that drivers do not have to be badged.
The disadvantages are that the vehicle has to be safety inspected every 8-10 weeks so you are paying for 5-6 MOTs every year, passengers are carried at seperate fares, you have to travel 15 miles in a straight line from the pick up point, you have to be able to have access to around £5000 before you can get the operators license. You still can't pick up a flag down. I am sure there are more but that should do for starters. There are some exemptions to the 15 mile rule but you will need to read up on this. The information is somewhere on the VOSA website.

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Grandad,

1, The sun or the sport
2, as many as you want
3, dont waist your money there is no work at the moment
4, yes do a search you will find all the info you need

wheres compo and cleggy then?

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

Go to the VOSA site and look at all the requirements for PSV small vehicle/restricted licensing.

As for hoops that you may have to jump through, well this is a set of hoops/conditions that the local Traffic Commissioner set a new Tuc Tuc service.

MARK JONATHAN ARCHER & JULIE ARCHER T/A BRIGHTON TUK
TUKS
Partner(s): JULIE ARCHER, MARK JONATHAN ARCHER.

16 DOWNLAND ROAD, WOODINGDEAN , BRIGHTON BN2 6DJ
Operating Centre: 16 DOWNLAND ROAD BRIGHTON BU2 6DJ
Authorisation:2 Vehicle(s).

New Undertaking:
(a) The operator will advise the traffic commissioner of the type and registration number of vehicles used under that licence, and will advise of any changes section 20(3) of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981
(b) The operator will send in the original V5 document to the traffic commissioner.
(c) Each small vehicle to be used under the licence will have a V5 registration book, and the operator must possess and produce when ask to do so a document confirming this.
(d) Each small vehicle will receive a full safety inspection (maximum every 10 weeks) in premises suitable for the vehicle to ensure that its roadworthiness is maintained. Records of all inspections must be kept in accordance with the Guide to Maintain Roadworthiness.
(e) At no time will the small vehicle carry more than eight passengers.
(f) The operator will at all times comply with the legislation in respect of the charging separate fares and retain 12 months evidence of this compliance for each journey.
(g) Drivers of small vehicles will carry with them documentary evidence that separate fares have been charged for the current journey.
(h) The operator will comply with sections 2 and 6 of the Transport Act 1985 with regard to local service registration and must be able to show compliance with these sections to VOSA, on request. This will include proof of payment of separate fares and either:
-Proof that passengers have travelled more than 15 miles. This will usually be evidence by showing postcodes; or
-Proof that the service is an excursion or tour and falls outside the definition of a local service.
(i) The operator will not use a vehicle that does not meet the ECWVTA standards or British construction and use requirements.
(j) The operator will not use any vehicle where the traffic commissioner considers its use to constitute an illegal practice such as dry hiring or purporting to operate under specious and irrelevant authority such as reference to schedule 6 or section 6 (which usually refers to construction and use provisions to allow the driving of a vehicle for private use as opposed to hire or reward), in an effort to
circumvent the operator licensing requirements.
(k) If the operator seeks to use the tours and excursions exception to the 15 mile rule, again this should be evidenced and readily available to VOSA. This may be on the booking form. The limits of the tours & excursions exemption will also be fully understood by the operator, for example it cannot be available for more that six weeks.
(l) The operator or driver will not break the alcohol laws.
(m) Limousines or novelty vehicles are not to be operated under this operator licence.

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IDFIMH

I very much look forward to the day a tuk tuk meets Whole Type Approval.

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IDFIMH

What his belt size got to do with it?

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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.

Thanks everyone. The reason I started this, is that there is a company near me that does hundreds of airport runs every day but they are not licenced with L.A. Drivers are not badged but they don't charge separate fares for each passenger. I was thinking that there must be a reason that they are doing this. I need to know more if its going to work for me. Thanks again.
Foggy

They are probably operating illegally.

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Grandad,

I would agree this is highly likely!!!!!!!!

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Legal and proud

Loads a love from BERTIE !!

Yeah ..... that's right, he did.

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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.

Theres a certain sense of the surreal about this post

if they are also VOSA licensed (CPC/O-licence) then they can run smaller vehicles with no plates or badges

more or less...

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