Licence - Hackney Carriage Vehicle

Information about hackney carriage licence.

What is the difference between Hackney Carriage and a Private Hire vehicle?

The main difference between the two is that a Hackney Carriage is a London style cab, or purpose built vehicle and a Private Hire vehicle is a private saloon car. Only a Hackney Carriage can ply for trade or be flagged down, and the fares are set by the Council. A Private Hire vehicle must be booked over the telephone or through the Operator's office, and must not display the words 'taxi' or 'cab' on the vehicle.

A Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence is required for any vehicle that will ply for hire, be flagged down or hired at a taxi rank. Once licensed, a taxi is always a taxi until the licence expires. These vehicles have a roof sign and display a white plate on the rear of the vehicle.

The department issues Licences for both the vehicles and the drivers, and ensures that adequate insurance cover is held. High standards of safety are ensured, and complaints about overcharging or inefficiency, for example, are investigated.

Before a vehicle is licensed it must pass a garage taxi test to ensure its safety. We issue licences for taxis and ensure that the vehicles are suitable and adequately insured to ensure high standards of safety.

What conditions is the licence subject to?

Identification Plates

The identification plate shall remain the property of the Council at all times and shall be affixed to the exterior rear of the vehicle and shall be maintained and kept in such condition that the information printed on the plate is clearly visible to the public at all times.

Maintenance of Vehicle

The vehicle and all its fittings and equipment shall at all times when the vehicle is in use or available for hire be kept in an efficient, safe, tidy and clean condition and all relevant statutory requirements (including in particular those contained in Motor Vehicles Construction and use Regulations) shall be fully complied with.

Alteration of Vehicle

No material alteration or change in the specification, design, condition or appearance of the vehicle shall be made without the approval of the Council at any time while the licence is in force.

Passengers

The proprietor of a Hackney Carriage shall not convey or permit to be conveyed in a licensed vehicle any greater number of persons than that prescribed on the licence issued by the Council and on the licence plate affixed to the rear of the vehicle. The driver shall not allow there to be conveyed in the front of a Hackney Carriage, any child below the age of 10 years, or more than one person above that age. The driver shall not without the consent of the hirer of a vehicle convey or permit to be conveyed any other person in that vehicle.

Animals

The proprietor shall not permit any animals to ride in the vehicle except an animal in the custody or control of the hirer, which animal shall be conveyed in the rear of the vehicle.

Fire Extinguisher

These shall be provided and maintained at all times when in use as a licensed vehicle. It must be a suitable and efficient fire extinguisher (1.0 kg) to meet BSEN 31996 (BS 5423) which shall be securely fixed to the vehicle and to be readily visible and available for immediate use in an emergency.

Mobile Telephones

Mobile telephones may only be used with a hands-free kit. Ideally this kit should be a hard-wired, professionally fitted facility within the vehicle.

Taximeters

The proprietor shall ensure the vehicle is fitted with a taximeter approved by the Council, and that meter shall be maintained in a sound mechanical condition at all times. The taximeter shall be set for the current tariff agreed by the Council and shall be sealed to prevent unauthorised adjustment of that meter. The proprietor shall ensure the "For Hire" sign or other illuminated sign is extinguished when the fare commences, and the taximeter brought into operation.

Fare Tables

The proprietor shall ensure that a copy of the current fare table supplied by the Council is on display inside the Hackney Carriage at all times and that the table is not concealed from view or rendered illegible when the vehicle is for hire.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in Hackney Carriage Vehicles at any time, regardless of whether there are passengers on board, or the driver is working at the time. All Hackney Carriage Vehicles must have on display a legal no smoking sign. These can be obtained from: www.smokefreeengland.co.uk

Vehicle Insurance

At all times during the currency of the Licence the proprietor shall keep in force in relation to the use of the vehicle as a Hackney Carriage, a Policy of insurance complying with the requirements of Part V1 of the Road Traffic Act 1984. The proprietor shall produce to the Council a new Certificate of Insurance or cover note within 7 days of the expiry of every Certificate of Insurance or cover note prior to renewal date.

Convictions

The proprietor shall within seven days disclose to the Council in writing, details of any conviction imposed on him (or, if the proprietor is a company or partnership, on any of the directors or partners) during the period of the insurance.

Change of Address

Any proprietor changing his place of abode must give notice in writing to the Council within seven days of such change.

Renewing your Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence

To renew your vehicle licence you must bring the following into Solihull Connect:

• MOT pass papers from the authorised garage (these papers are valid for 28 days from the date of issue)
• Original insurance certificate or cover note (faxes or photocopies are not acceptable)
• Old plate
• Application form, which can be downloaded below