North Tyneside Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy

New Statutory National Standards for Taxis

The government has issued statutory hackney carriage and private hire vehicle minimum standards to licensing authorities. The Standards outline how licensing authorities should carry out their licensing functions in relation to Hackney Carriage (taxis) and Private Hire vehicles, drivers and where appropriate operators. Although the minimum standards focus on protecting children and vulnerable adults, all passengers will benefit from the application of the Standards.

It is a requirement that the North Tyneside Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy is updated to include these Standards. The key amendments proposed to the Policy include:

• Introduction of Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check for vehicle proprietors
• Requirement of operators to maintain a register of booking staff and confirmation they have had sight of a Basic DBS certificate for such staff
• Periods for individuals to be free of convictions to be able to hold a licence has changed in line with the Standards
• New Passenger Guidance document
• The Authority making a referral to the DBS and the police following refusal/revocation of a driver’s licence where appropriate.

We would like to know your views on these important updates by clicking on the blue link below

Paper copies will also be available in North Tyneside Councils 4 main Customer First Centres at North Shields, Wallsend, Whitley Bay and White Swan Centre Killingworth.