Licensing

There is a vast amount of legislation relating to the licensing and enforcement of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire functions. The two main Acts of Parliament are the:

• Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (www.opsi.gov.uk/RevisedStatutes/Acts/ukpga/1976/cukpga_19760057_en_1);
• Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (www.opsi.gov.uk/RevisedStatutes/Acts/ukpga/1847/cukpga_18470089_en_1).

The council has a responsibility to licence vehicles, drivers and businesses that provide a transport service (for up to eight passengers) for hire and reward. The relevant licences are:

• Hackney Carriage Vehicle
• Hackney Carriage Driver
• Private Hire Vehicle
• Private Hire Driver
• Operators

The main similarity between Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles is that both provide a transport service to members of the public to a specific destination upon request for payment of a fare.

The council set the fees for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles, Drivers and Operators.

All licences must be issued by the council in the area where the provision for booking is made.

A private hire operator takes the booking for a private hire vehicle and dispatches the vehicle to fulfil that request.  It is the operator's responsibility to ensure that it's drivers and vehicles hold the appropriate licences.

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