Taxi Driver Online

Can anyone direct me to the laws governing the licencing (or lack of it ) of ambulance cars within an area.

By ambulance cars i mean 'volunteer' drivers paid expenses to carry patients to and from hospitals or doctors surgeries. They appear not to fall within the regulations for private hire vehicles, therefore do not need CRB checks or inspection of their vehicles. Who determines what expenses are? and what happens if they make a profit?

dap

I think the law in relation to ambulance cars is grey, very grey.

As long as they tell their insurance companies that they are volunteer, then they can get away with it. But some of them earn very well out of it.

I remember talking to one of the so-called volunteers and he was as happy as larry. Often stayed away with over-night expenses etc etc.

Below is from Birmingham council who seem to be leading some sort of fightback. I believe they even have a tier of licensing just for ambulance folk now.

OPERATORS

Health and Community Ambulance & Patient Transport Ltd & Michael John Manning
Pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 11th March 2005 to 1 offence of knowingly operating a private hire vehicle without a current licence.
An Absolute Discharge was imposed
Prosecution Costs £1,120 – company only
LOCAL GOVERNMENT (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT 1968

Community Transport Services Ltd
Pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 11th March 2005 to 3 offences of knowingly operating private hire vehicles without a current licence.
An Absolute Discharge was imposed
Prosecution Costs £1,120
LOCAL GOVERNMENT (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT 1968


It might be worth giving Birmingham licensing a ring.

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IDFIMH

Thanks for the information. I'll be on to them first thing Monday morning

dap

did you get any info?

They requested that any questions be done in writing.

The prosecution was made under The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions ) Act 1968...and do you think i can get my hands on a copy quickly.

dap

Maybe someone can confirn the procedure in your area, but up here our local authority accept emails when making complaints

http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk

Spoke to a man at Birmingham this morning, who pointed out theat the prosecution had been made under the 1976 Act and not the 1968 as had been stated.

The prosecution confirmed that organisations like those should be licenced with the LA........how many other areas have so called 'ambulance cars' trawling around.

dap

I would say that they operate unlicensed in all areas other than Birmingham.

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IDFIMH

We did a thread on this subject over two years ago when Birmingham brought it to the fore. I'm sure the thread might be of some help to you, if you can find it?

Regards

JD

the Consultation doc from 2004 regarding the loophole of licenceing, maybe the Pink Ladies are also in this loophole

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/d ... sp#P29_620

This loop-hole has been sealed, but was something relating solely to London.

But it does go to show that if people are trying to pull strokes the 'powers that be' can sort it quickly, if they try hard enough.

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IDFIMH

We have a 'volunteer' driver working from a place called 'The Volunteer Centre'.

He does three days a week, Monday Wednesday and Friday, and does on average 20 'journeys' a day.

The Volunteer Centre provide this 'driver service' for a minimum donation of £2.50 for an intown local.

We calculate this volunteer gets about £220 a week petrol money.

And the Volunteer Centre gets the council to reimburse them for the travel tokens he takes.

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

from 2 years ago, think the average allowance now is 40p per mile
http://www.paramedic.org.uk/news_archiv ... .0110/view

I've just seen this in Private Hire monthly (page 12 linked below)

http://www.phtm.co.uk/media/1147861732.pdf

but if the case appears to be so strong why are we still putting up with ambulance cars, converted fire engines, and monstrsities of long wheel based american cast offs. Can't the LA see what is going on?

dap

It takes a long time DAP.

Just like when they tried to stop an unlicensed taxi company from holding an airport franchise

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry