Hire Vehicle Driver - Code of Conduct
Taxi and private hire vehicle drivers are in a position of trust in respect of the safety and welfare of their passengers. Furthermore, the Council, has a duty to ensure that all taxis and private hire vehicle drivers are 'fit and proper' to undertake their work as licensed drivers.
Not only children, but all passengers carried in taxis and private hire vehicles have a legitimate expectation that they are in the company of a safe driver. In addition, the Council has an obligation to ensure that drivers are informed of the standards of behaviour expected and must, without delay, take appropriate action should a safeguarding issue arise.
With this in mind, we have adopted a Driver Code of Conduct. The purpose of the code is to not only advise drivers of their expected conduct, with respect to safeguarding and equalities, but also to raise safeguarding awareness and encourage drivers to report suspicions of abuse, neglect or exploitation and to give the drivers details of who to report such concerns to.
The code has been produced in a similar format across all the Lincolnshire Licensing Authorities - this is to maintain, as far as possible, consistency across the County.
All drivers are expected to sign up to the Code of Conduct.
Failure to comply with the code may result in a driver being referred to the Council's Licensing Committee (consisting of Councillors) to explain the circumstances surrounding any incident. In the event of a repeated and/or serious failure to comply, drivers can expect that serious consideration will be given to the suspension or revocation of their licence.
Common sense will prevail when enforcing the code; its main purpose will be a tool to assist drivers and the Council's Licensing Committee regarding what is and is not acceptable behaviour by a licensed driver.
When applying for the grant of a driver licence, applicants must complete, and submit to the Licensing Team, an acknowledgement of the Code of Conduct.
Should you require any further information, regarding the Code of Conduct, please do not hesitate to contact the Licensing Team by email at: licensing@e-lindsey.gov.uk