Agenda item
Dual Taxi and Private Hire Driver Licence
Report of Director of Service Delivery
Minutes:
The Committee received a report which asked Members to review the consultation responses in relation to the Dual Taxi and Private Hire Driver Licence, and to consider the approval of the introduction of Dual Drivers Licences throughout Lewes District.
Currently Lewes District Council offered Hackney Carriage, Private Hire, Restricted Private Hire and Dual Driver licences. Restricted Private Hire licences allowed the driver to undertake school contract service but they were not permitted to do other private hire work within the District.
The Functional Lead for Quality Environment (“FLQE”) reminded the Committee that it had approved new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Guidance at its previous meeting on 19 September 2019, but had requested that Officers undertake further consultation with regards to the implementation of Dual Driver Licences.
The consultation took place from 10 February 2020 and concluded on 3 April 2020. The consultation asked a number of questions but also invited general feedback from members of the public and taxi trade. The consultation concerned the implementation of Dual Driver Licences, which would replace the current separate Private Hire and Hackney Drivers Licences. Restricted Private Hire Licences would continue in relation to school contract work. The issues included whether new Dual Drivers Licences should be issued as standard, and whether existing licensed drivers could apply for a new dual licence if they wish to do so.
The FLQE detailed the consultation process and its findings as set out in paragraphs 2.1 to 2.12 of the report. He also highlighted an error in the report, noting that the first line of paragraph 2.3 should indicate 148 consultation responses received, not 138 as printed.
Discussions included:
· Whether or not the current Hackney Carriage knowledge tests would be the same as the new ones. The FLQE indicated that the new tests would require a higher level of awareness by applicants regarding points of interests within the District, with different sections of the knowledge tests covering various routes and which routes would be the most appropriate to take from point A to point B, whereas Private Hire tests only had one section requiring applicants to be knowledgeable of only the main routes.
·
That
residents of the District appeared to
be in favour of the Dual Drivers licences. The Committee noted that
this was an encouraging response.
· Whether Private Hire or Hackney Carriage Licence holders could continue with single licence and for how long, before they would be required to hold a Dual Licence. The FLQE clarified that as long as the existing drivers continued to renew their licences, passed the necessary checks and paid the appropriate fee, they could continue to hold a single licence. He further clarified that the intention was not to force a Dual Licence upon current Private Hire or Hackney Carriage Licence holders within Lewes District.
·
Whether or not current Private Hire or Hackney
Carriage Licence holders would be required to undertake the
equalities and disabilities training even if they had already
undertaken the higher standard knowledge test? The FLQE confirmed
that current Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licence holders
would still have to take the equalities and disabilities
training.
Resolved:
1)
That all successful new driver applicants within
Lewes District be issued a Dual Drivers Licence as
standard;
2)
That all new Dual Drivers Licence applicants within
Lewes District be required to undertake the higher standard
knowledge test;
3)
That existing Private Hire Drivers within Lewes
District be required to undertake the higher standard knowledge
test as part of any application for a Dual Drivers
Licence;
4)
That current Hackney Carriage Licence holders within
Lewes District not be required to undertake the standard knowledge
test as part of any application for a Dual Drivers Licence;
and
5) That the Council’s Environmental Health and Licensing Senior Specialist Advisor, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, be delegated to implement resolutions 2 and 3 of the report and that the Committee be kept informed as to the progress of the implementation.
Supporting documents:
- Dual Taxi and Private Hire Driver Licence, item 7. PDF 197 KB
- Appendix 1 – Dual driver online consultation results 2020, item 7. PDF 159 KB
- Appendix 2 – Dual driver consultation GMB response, item 7. PDF 533 KB
- Appendix 3 – Dual driver consultation direct responses, item 7. PDF 187 KB