Taxi Driver Online

Maybe it's because they are driven by stupid people, but they really should keep away.

I have the huge pleasure to announce another two were impounded on Saturday during a multi-agency spot-check.

One from London didn't have any license other than the normal DVLA one, and the other, part of a small local fleet, was driven by a chap who had no hire and reward certification.

So please can all the iffy Limos still out there plan a nice trip to Brighton in the near future, because there is still plenty of room left in the pound.

_________________
IDFIMH

I'm not quite sure what you mean by no license other than the normal DVLA one? Are you talking about the vehicle or the driver? What was the vehicle? What do you mean by no hire and reward certification?
Please clarify?

_________________
Grandad,

Delighted too, and maybe from your experience you could advice me on something.

The Limo from London had no PH or PSV disc, and the driver had no PSV or PH license. But I'm assuming the driver had a normal-non licensed driver's license, and the vehicle had an MOT.

The local firm only use the Hummer type Limos, and they are run under PSV discs. No doubt until such time the discs run out and they are not re-issued for Limo work. The driver had a normal non-licensed driver's license, but the police noted/took issue that he didn't have the group on it allowing hire and reward work.

The question I need to ask you is is their a hire and reward group you can put on a normal non licensed driver's license?

_________________
IDFIMH

That is a bit clearer. If the limo from London had no PH or PSV disc then clearly it should not be being used for hire or reward. It is possible that the owner of the vehicle had an exemption from displaying the PH plates but they should have been in the vehicle along with the letter from the council giving the exemption. Of course in this situation the driver would have needed a private hire drivers badge issued by the council. In this situation impounding the vehicle is the correct procedure. The owner now has the opportunity to prove that he did in fact have the correct licensing or face loosing his vehicle.
As for the local company running Hummer type vehicles on PSV and then not using a driver with a PSV drivers license, well, how stupid can you get. I expect that he will get the vehicle back but he may have a problem with his operators license.

_________________
Grandad,

If you are opperating say a vehicle with 8 or less passenger seats on a restricted or even on a national PCV operators license, then the driver only requires a normal drivers license. This is one of the issues that may need to be addressed. I think VOSA are trying to "force" operators of smaller vehicles to be licensed through their local council but at the moment it is still allowed.

_________________
Grandad,

That was my view before Saturday, however the police (I'm told) are going to take action because his normal non-licensed driver's license didn't have any 'hire and reward' letters in the groups section.

I wasn't sure there was one.

_________________
IDFIMH