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Lewes and Eastbourne
Councils

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: