Taxi Driver Online

Is it legal to be dual plated , or can you only be licensed to work in one area ?

I seem to think/remember that didn't or does only happen in Dundee

Link to the Dundee story....
http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2004/05/06/story5889322t0.shtm

A PH can work where they like providing the job is booked in the area that they are licensed for.

As for dual licensed taxis, I suspect there are many vehicles out there licensed in more than one area. Some of them are licensed in up to half a dozen.

_________________
IDFIMH

I'm sure there are vehicle hire companies with cars licensed for more than one area. This is probably quite a common situation.

I would expect that when a taxi / PHV licensed for two areas was working, then it would only carry a plate for the area it was working at the time.

As far as meters are concerned, the cab would have to have two different meters, as they would both be set differently and sealed by the LAs.

I am sure that there are no cabs working with two plates, as this would deinitely cause passengers confusion with license numbers. I find it unlikely that a LA would plate a car that presented these sorts of issues.

_________________
Visit TAXIPIX at www.taxipix.fotopic.net

Thanks for all your replies chaps.
No one actually stated that it was illegal,so I assume its a grey area ?
One more question:

Is it ok to be plated and badged to work in an area outside of your address area , and to recieve phone bookings at your home address and have the phone on divert to you mobile ?

I hope thats clear,cos it sure has confused me.

Cheers

Personally I think it is 100% legal, but it would just confuse the hell out of most LOs, so they just say it's a grey area.

_________________
IDFIMH

Now that's a bit more iffy, not because people don't do it, but because a court hasn't really tested it.

But I think as long as the booking is taken in the same manor as you are licensed, then I can't see a reason why it shouldn't be ok.

If you ask your LO for advice, don't ask him/her if they will allow it, ask them why they wont.

_________________
IDFIMH

although it was passed in dundee by the numpty council nobody has actually taken it up, one op put a dundee plate on and dumped the other plate,you have to remember you are looking at two police tests,plus two meters , you have to ask yourself is it worth while

Yes, despite the panic at the time, I think it was pointed out that the situation that arose was a one off; wasn't it something to do with the owner wanting to sell one plate but make sure he had one in another area before he did so?

_________________
Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

im sure ive seen cabs dual plated at birmingham airport

Yes that's a strange one.

I'm pretty sure it was because of a court case about who and what could ply at the airport.

Basically it was decided that Solihull and Birmingham cabs both could, and cars could be issued with both licenses.

But I think that might be coming to an end since Solihull de-limited.

_________________
IDFIMH

Again I can only comment on London & on PHD.

PCO states you can sub work to any other licensed operator in the uk and he can give it to any of his licensed drivers.

What you can not do is engage the driver directly themselves unless of course they have a PCO license.

In which case they can work for as many operators as they like in London all providing the paperwork is kept up to date at each operators base.

I do know my local authority, in surrey, prohibit any hacks from picking up from the ranks unless they are licensed in this LA to do so.

PCO stated it was unlawful to be plated for PH in more than one borough, for example fred who is licensed to work in Spelthorne ( outside London ) can not also be lisensed to work for a PCO operator, however he can still take work from that operator all providing his operator in spelthorne has a record of the booking and the London operator pays the spelthorne operator before the driver gets paid.

How exactly they propose to police this is beyond me however

Regards Eric