Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence

When considering an application for a hackney carriage vehicle licence the Council require the vehicle to be of a design and appearance that will clearly identify it as a hackney carriage. Furthermore, the Council will not grant a licence unless it is satisfied that the vehicle is:

·       Suitable in type, size and design for use as a hackney carriage vehicle;

·       In a suitable mechanical condition; and

·       Safe and comfortable.

Until September 2004 the Council operated a quantity control policy in respect of hackney carriage vehicle licences. This policy restricted the number of hackney carriage vehicles that could be issued within the East Lindsey District.

In September 2004 the Council decided that the restriction on hackney carriage vehicle numbers should be removed and that all hackney carriage vehicle licences granted above the previous quantity control policy must be for purpose-built wheelchair/disabled access vehicles.

Any licences granted above the previous quantity control policy will, therefore, only be issued to vehicles, which meet the required wheelchair/disabled access specification. The vehicle specification is detailed in Appendix A (hackney carriage licences 250 and above) of our hackney carriage guidance booklet.

The specification requires vehicles to have been tested in the wheelchair/disabled access state to one of the following standards:

·       European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval

·       UK Low Volume National Type Approval

When presenting vehicles for licensing proprietors must be in a position to produce documentary evidence that the vehicle achieves the above approval status.

It is important also to note that three-point inertia seat belts must be fitted to each seat within the vehicle. The three-point inertia seat belts must have been fitted to the vehicle when the model achieved one of the above standards. The Council will not accept a vehicle where the three-point inertia seat belts were fitted at a later date.

Heavily tinted windows and privacy glass are not permitted in hackney carriage vehicles licensed by this Authority. The following requirement applies to all hackney carriages presented for their first vehicle licence with this Authority

• Windows to the rear of the vehicle's B-pillar must have a minimum light transmission of 30% or above. In addition, no new or existing hackney carriage vehicle can be fitted with any form of additional film to darken or tint the glass on any part of the vehicle.

Vehicles, which have been confirmed to comply with the required specification, and have as a result become licensed, must remain compliant with these standards throughout the duration of the licence. Any subsequent replacement vehicles must also be compliant with the standards.

The vehicle specification will not relate to vehicle licences originally granted before September 2004. There is a separate specification in place relating to vehicle licences originally granted before September 2004. Further information regarding vehicle specifications is available in the hackney carriage guidance booklet.

All vehicles must also undergo a strict vehicle test and examination at one of the Council's approved garages.  This is in addition to a visual inspection of the vehicle by a Council Officer.

Hackney carriage vehicle proprietors will also need to produce current insurance documentation for public hire purposes.

The Council must ensure that all applicants for a hackney carriage vehicle driver's licence are fit and proper individuals to hold such a licence.  When first applying for a hackney carriage vehicle driver's licence all applicants must undergo a number of checks including the following:

·       Medical examination

·       Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure

·       Check of DVLA driving licence

·       Right to Work in the UK Check

It is possible that you may require planning consent to operate a hackney carriage business from a given premises.  If that is the case, our Development Control Team here should be happy to advise (email: Dev.Control@e-lindsey.gov.uk)

If it would be helpful to discuss any issues, including the process of applying for a hackney carriage driver's licence and vehicle licence, please do not hesitate to contact the Licensing Team by email at: licensing@e-lindsey.gov.uk