New Licensing Requirements for Private Hire Vehicles

Taxis and private hire drivers will have to meet stricter standards under new rules coming into force in January. Now North Norfolk District Council is organising a seminar for drivers who work for the voluntary sector, who may also be affected by the change in the law.

From 28 January, taxis and private hire drivers will have to be vetted with a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check and pass a medical, while their vehicles will have to pass inspections and carry licence plates, to help ensure their passengers can travel in safety and confidence. The new rules are contained in the Road Safety Act 2006.

Taxi firms in North Norfolk have worked to these standards since September. North Norfolk District Council - which issues the licences in its District - and Norfolk County Council took the view that the industry should meet the standards at the start of the autumn school term, because many such vehicles are used to do 'school runs'.

While the implications have been clear for taxi firms, the change in the law could also affect the not-for-profit sector, where councils and charities use volunteer drivers (usually with their mileage expenses paid) to help people access services or attend events and activities, but where the passengers - often infirm or vulnerable people - have not had the same protection as fare-paying travellers.

North Norfolk District Council is organising a free seminar to discuss the implications of the new rules for the voluntary sector, and seek some consensus among drivers, at 10am on 20 February, 2008 at the District Council's office in Cromer. For more information about the new requirements, or to find out more about the seminar, call Tony Gent on 01263 516268.

The new requirements are:
For drivers:

• They must undergo a CRB check every three years, and must notify the Council of any convictions attained between checks. The CRB check costs £36.
• They must pass a medical test to ensure they are fit to drive (which can cost between £50 and £90).
• They must have an operator's licence, valid for five years (costing £129 in North Norfolk).

For vehicles:

• The vehicle must be inspected every year at an independent garage appointed by the Council. The inspection is more stringent than an MoT test (the vehicle must also have an MoT certificate, of course). The cost is included in the licence fee.
• It must be plated annually (at a cost of £123 each year) to show it is licensed.

ENDS