Following the Prime Ministers announcement on 22 September 2020, the Department for Transport (DfT) laid a Statutory Instrument in both Houses of Parliament to mandate the wearing of face coverings in taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) in England under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. This regulation has now come into effect.  

In line with public transport and retail settings the Regulations gives new powers to taxi and PHV drivers to deny access to a service, and to direct someone to leave a service, if they are not wearing a face covering without a legitimate reason.  If passengers fail to comply, the Police have a power to remove passengers from a service (using reasonable force if necessary), and issue a Fixed Penalty Notice. The requirement only applies when a service is being provided i.e. passengers are not required to wear a face covering when the vehicle is used for personal use.

We always recommended that passengers wear face coverings in PHVs and taxis and moving to mandating this is a reasonable additional step to take to reduce the risk of infection when used alongside other measures. We will also be working with taxi and PHV operators and drivers to ensure that all passengers are aware of the exemptions to this regulation. There are health, age, equalities and other reasons why someone may not be able to wear a face covering. It is crucial that operators and passengers are aware of these exemptions to ensure that everyone can have confidence in using public transport. DfT will publish updated guidance as soon as possible for operators and passengers on travelling safely during the outbreak. The guidance will reflect the latest information about face coverings. I would be grateful if you could share the change and the updated guidance with your licensees.  

We would also like to take this opportunity to draw your attention a number of assets which DfT are creating to support our stakeholders to communicate this change. The assets will contain messages around how to ensure both drivers and customers are kept safe, as well as messaging on exemptions. They will be made available here shortly alongside the existing assets we have available. Please do cascade these assets and resources to your members/networks. 

Please click for information on  6 Month MOT Extensions

Relicensing of vehicles (taxi and PHV)

It is important to note that any certificate of compliance issued by a licensing authority ceases to be valid for MOT purposes once the vehicle or proprietors licence expires or is revoked; the owners of any vehicles that continue to be used on the road after revocation or expiry must consider whether they need to obtain an MOT certificate in order to do so lawfully.   

MOT’s Drivers are responsible for making sure their vehicle is always safe to drive, a vehicle can be unsafe even if it has a valid MOT certificate or certificate of compliance. Drivers should be aware of their legal obligations; more information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/legal-obligations-drivers-riders

Guidance for staff in the transport sector
The Department for Transport and Public Health England has issued guidance to transport sector workers.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-staff-in-the-transport-sector/covid-19-guidance-for-staff-in-the-transport-sector

Social distancing in the workplace during coronavirus (COVID-19): sector guidance
We are aware that the taxis and PHV trade are undertaking delivery work – please see the section on ‘Deliveries’ as well as ‘Transport businesses’. Measures contained in the section on ‘Use of private vehicles and car pooling’ would apply to the taxi and private hire vehicle sector e.g. maintain good ventilation.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance#transport-businesses

Insurance for undertaking deliveries
Association of British Insurers (ABI) motor insurance members have committed to support taxi and private hire drivers seeking alternative sources of income: licenced taxi or private hire drivers that had hire or reward insurance in place, as of 8 March, will not need to contact their insurer to extend their your existing cover while driving this vehicle to carry parcels, medical supplies, household goods, groceries or takeaway meals during the Covid-19 restrictions.
The ABI’s commitment will be in place until the end of the Covid-19 restrictions, or until 31 July 2020, whichever is sooner
https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/coronavirus-hub/motor-insurance/

Face masks
The UK does not currently advise use of face masks outside of care settings, in line with PPE guidance.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-coronavirus-covid-19

Cleaning of non-healthcare settings
Public Health England have provided guidance on the cleaning of non-healthcare settings, this is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings

Driver licensing
Medicals
We are aware of the current difficulties in obtaining a medical examination report from your GP Practice. If you are due a medical on renewal of your dual driver license and you cannot get an appointment, email taxis@arun.gov.uk and a member of the taxi team will contact you regarding this.

Offers of assistance from the trade
We have received many offers of assistance from the trade, to co-ordinate the offers and assistance needed we are requesting that all offers of services be directed to: www.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-from-business; this will help us to ensure all such offers are received by the correct team leading on a particular issue and responded to quickly.

Assisting the trade
The Self-employment Income Support Scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months. This may be extended if needed. More information on the scheme is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme. The above is perhaps particularly relevant to the taxi and PHV trade but it is part of the measures announced, e.g. changes to Universal Credit - more info is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-those-affected-by-covid-19/support-for-those-affected-by-covid-19

Assistance for businesses
The Chancellor has set out a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19. More information on the measures is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses.
Please also see Arun's guidance for business support: https://www.arun.gov.uk/business-covid-19
Taxis and private hire vehicles can continue to work. But the advice is absolutely clear - people should stay at home if possible. That is the way to save lives and protect our NHS. The public should avoid travel unless absolutely essential. The only reasons to leave our houses are set out in the government guidance. 

Clearly if absolutely necessary to travel by taxi or private hire vehicle, best efforts should be used to follow the guidance as far as is practically possible, including washing your hands as soon as you get home.

Critical Worker Status:

Taxi and private hire drivers should not generally be considered Critical Workers. Those undertaking Home to School transport or the transport of ‘extremely vulnerable’ people may be considered Critical Workers on a case-by-case basis. Critical Workers should also whenever possible make suitable arrangements for their children to stay at home; requests for children to attend school should be discussed with the school.”

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Can drivers refuse to carry passengers due to fear of infection? Please click this link.

Due to measures introduced in relation to the current pandemic it is not possible for us to facilitate Knowledge Tests at this time until further notice. The position is under constant review.

If you need to attend our offices it will be done on an appointment only basis.

Thank you for your understanding.

 

On this page:
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for existing drivers 
Taxi information sharing update - October 2019
Taxi Licensing Newsletter
Applying to become a driver
Booking your knowledge test
Knowledge Test
Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles
Taxi Driver Licences
Driver Renewals
Making a complaint against a licenced driver or vehicle
Forms

You can now make taxi applications using our online service (which can be accessed by clicking this link) - EXISTING DRIVERS ONLY

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for existing drivers 

As part of the application process for a license you are required to have an enhanced DBS check. we will accept an enhanced DBS certificate if you are enrolled on the update service. You need to apply for your DBS check go to https://www.personnelchecks.co.uk/taxis/arun/ Payment is required at the time of application. When you have paid your subscription, your registration can take up to 3 hours to be sent to you. If you think you haven’t received the link to the registration, please check your spam or junk box. If you have any queries or questions before or after submitting the payment or form, please contact TaxiPlus on 01254 355679.

After you have registered with TaxiPlus we will receive conformation of your registration and you will need to make an appointment to have your ID verified at our Littlehampton offices Please email taxis@arun.gov.uk or call 01903 737755 and ask to speak to the licensing team to make an appointment.

 

Taxi information sharing update

October 2019

As a Licensing Authority we are shortly going to share information with DEFRA regarding licensed vehicles as required by the Air Quality (Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Database) (England and Wales) Regulations 2019. The regulations have been made to facilitate the collection of data to used for the purposes of improving air quality.

This means that the authority will regularly be required to send details of vehicles that we license in the Arun area. Details sent will include vehicle registrations, plate numbers and if a vehicle is licensed as a Hackney or Private Hire vehicle. We are required to provide this information so that the Secretary of State can maintain a central register of vehicles. Details of vehicle registrations are not released into the public domain by this authority, however this information will be shared with DEFRA in order to comply with the legal requirement.

DEFRA will be the data controller in respect of the information that is going to be collected, processed and held. Arun District Council will ensure that information shared with DEFRA is complete, accurate and up to date. We have been advised that the data will be retained for seven years with historical aggregated data being retained indefinitely for scientific purposes. Aggregated data means information which has been collated for monthly reports.

The information sharing will begin in late 2019.

Further information can be found here:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/885/made

 

Taxi Licensing Newsletter

Taxi Licensing newsletter April.pdf [pdf] 2MB

 

Applying to become a driver

The steps you need to take to become an Arun licensed driver are detailed below.

You must not have accrued any points on your DVLA licence in the preceding 12 months. If you have you cannot apply  to become a driver until the 12 months are spent.

If you have any convictions or cautions of any age spent or unspent you should contact us in the first instant to discuss before you proceed any further.

 

Taxi Driver Licences

Please read the following: Right to work checks for new and existing drivers.pdf [pdf] 385KB

If you would like to drive either a Hackney Carriage or a Private Hire Vehicle in the Arun District, you will need to apply to us for a Dual Driver licence.

Arun District Council dual driver licences will permit you to drive vehicles licensed by Arun only. You must be an Arun licensed driver to drive vehicles licensed by this authority.

New applicants may apply for a one year Driver's licence only.  Thereafter there are options to apply for either one or three year licences, but you should be aware that Medical Reports are needed on first application and then every 5 years from the age of 45 until 65 then annually thereafter, DBS is required on application and then every 3 years thereafter unless you have signed up to the update service which will be offered to you on application.

In order to apply for a Dual Driver licence you must:

• Hold a full DVLA UK driver's licence
• Have held your licence for at least 12 months and have at least 12 months UK driving experience
• You must not have accrued any points on your DVLA licence in the preceding 12 months
• Have sufficient ability to speak English and to understand spoken English to provide the service for which you wish to be licensed
• Have adequate literacy and numeracy skills
• Driver licences are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assist councils in assessing whether or not an applicant is a “fit and proper” person to hold a driver licence. Applicants themselves are required to submit information concerning convictions

We will establish that you are a "fit and proper" person by asking you to:

• Provide details of your driving history by allowing the Council access to your DVLA records
• Provide evidence of your conviction history by completing a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure form to Enhanced Level by our approved service provider
• By passing the knowledge test set by the council.
• Pass a Driving Assessment test.  The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is no longer undertaking taxi driver assessments. We use 1st Castle on 01243 867502. Please contact them to arrange your driver's assessment test.  Do not book a Driving Assessment test until after you have passed the Knowledge Test.
• Undergo a rigorous medical examination, carried out by your own doctor, to the DVLA Group II medical standards. Medical Reports are needed on first application and then every 5 years from the age of 45 until 65 then annually thereafter, DBS is required on application and then every 3 years thereafter unless you have signed up to the update service which will be offered to you on application. Do not book a medical until after you have passed the knowledge test.

To be a licensed driver, you must be deemed a fit and proper person. If you are abrupt or aggressive when talking to Council staff, this may prevent us from approving your application.

 

Making an application and booking your test

We ask you not to make an application until you are in a position to attempt your knowledge test. Applications will need to be applied for online - further details and link to be availble soon. Please make sure you have your driver licence, passport (if applicable) and national insurance number to hand as you will need these documents for the application. Please note this application will only be valid for 12 months. If you have not passed the knowledge test or provided relevant documentation within the 12 months the application will be automatically cancelled.

You will need to make a payment for your driver application on grant of your licence.

Once we receive your application we will contact you with a date and time of a taxi surgery appointment.

Your application will only last for the duration of twelve months after which it will be cancelled. You will be expected to undertake the first knowledge test within 1-3 weeks of attending the taxi surgery. If you fail the knowledge test you will be expected to re-take further tests within one month of the failure of any test.

If you have not passed the knowledge test and provided relevant documentation within the 12 months the application will be cancelled. Officers may cancel the application before the twelve months if they consider you have not made sufficient commitment to obtaining the licence.

Please note this application will only be valid for 12 months. If you have not passed the knowledge test or provided relevant documentation within the 12 months the application will be automatically cancelled. You will need to provide the following documentation:

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for new applicant

After making your new driver application, you will be required to apply for an enhanced DBS certificate, the process will not continue until a notification from the DBS TaxiPlus check has be recieved by us.

If you already hold an enhanced DBS certificate this can be no older than 28 days on application. We will however accept an enhanced DBS certificate if you are enrolled on the  update service, you will need to bring in this DBS certificate that was issued when you applied for the update service when you attend the surgery. If you are not on the update service you will have to apply for your DBS check. Payment is required at the time of DBS application. When you have paid the fee your registration can take up to 3 hours to be sent to you. If you think you haven’t received the link to the registration please check your spam or junk box. Then if you have any queries or questions before or after submitting the payment or form please contact TaxiPlus on 01254 355679.

After you have registered with TaxiPlus we will receive conformation of your registration and your documents will be verified by the officers.

If we have not been notified by TaxiPlus that you have not made an application for DBS check within 7 days of attending the taxi surgery, any knowledge test that has been booked will be cancelled until such time we have been notified of a DBS application. The cancellation of any knowledge test will not extend the 12 month licence application period.

Your DBS will be sent to you by post, we do not receive a copy of the certificate. You will need to provide the original DBS certificate at the Civic Centre.

You will need to provide the following documents when you attend the taxi surgery:

• Your full DVLA driving licence. Have held your licence for at least 12 months and have at least 12 months UK driving experience. You must not have accrued any points on your DVLA licence in the preceding 12 months. This will need to be uploaded when you make the online application as well as bringing it to the surgery.
• Passport or birth certificate. This will need to be uploaded when you make the online application as well as bringing it to the surgery.
• Passport style photo
• Your National Insurance Number 
• Proof of address, using either household/utility bill or a bank statement less than three months old on which shows the same address as your driver licence
• If you have changed your name other than through marriage, please provide a change of name document.
• Details of residence outside Great Britain
• A certificate of good conduct if you were born outside the UK (If you require a certificate of good conduct, do not apply for a licence as this is needed as part of the application, if you do hold a certificate it must not be older than 28 days on application). If you were not born in the UK but moved to the UK since becoming the age of criminal responsibility the licensing authority will expect to see evidence of a criminal record check or certificate of good conduct. The certificate must not be older than 28 days on application and from the embassies or consulate of those countries of which you have resided. If a certificate of good conduct is not provided in written English, the applicant will pay the cost of the translation)
• A certificate of good conduct if you have been resident outside of the UK (If you require a certificate of good conduct, do not apply for a licence as this is needed as part of the application, if you do hold a certificate it must not be older than 28 days on application). If an applicant has spent six continuous months or more overseas since becoming the age of criminal responsibility, the licensing authority will expect to see evidence of a criminal record check or certificate of good conduct. The certificate must not be older than 28 days on application and from the embassies or consulate of those countries of which you have resided. If a certificate of good conduct is not provided in written English, the applicant will pay the cost of the translation.
• You will need to provide us with information relating to your right to work in the UK.
• On passing the knowledge test you will have 6 weeks to obtain the driver assessment pass, a medical from your own GP surgery and pay for the licence.
• Drivers assessments are managed by 1st Castle - contact number 01243 533100. 
• Medicals are to be taken AFTER you have passed the knowledge test.  ALL medicals MUST be carried out by your own GP or practice. If we receive a medical from a surgery or GP where you are not registered the medical will be rejected and you will be required to have a new medical.

 

Booking your knowledge test

Tests will be held at the Civic Centre in Maltravers Road, Littlehampton. Please note you will not be permitted to use any of the following

Electronic devices including mobile phones

• Study notes or books
• Anything else deemed unacceptable by the invigilator
• You must not have anything written on your hands, arms or elsewhere on your person

If you are found to be in possession of any of these items you will be disqualified from the test and your application will be rejected.

You will not be permitted to leave the room during your test, except for emergency purposes

We will provide pens and paper for your use should you require it.

The council’s decision as to whether you have passed the test is final. You will be notified of the results in due course. 

If you fail the knowledge test you will be expected to re-take further tests within one month of the failure of any test. Please note this application will only be valid for 12 months. If you have not passed the knowledge test or provided relevant documentation within the 12 months the application will be automatically cancelled.

Officers may cancel the application before the twelve months if they consider you have not made sufficient commitment to obtaining the licence.

 

Knowledge Test

You will be required to pass the council’s knowledge test prior to being considered for the grant of a Dual Drivers Licence.

The test will demonstrate that you have a good knowledge of all round aspects of the work of a driver and the district in which you wish to work.

The first test will not be charged. Subsequent tests are charged at £55 payable in advance.

The test is an electronic multiple choice system comprising of 9 categories. In order to pass the knowledge test you must attain a 80% pass mark in each category. The test will be set at a maximum time of 70 mins to complete all categories:

1. Highway Code. 16 out of 20 questions need to be correct
2. Road Signs. 16 out of 20 questions need to be correct
3. Venues. 16 out of 20 questions need to be correct
4. Roads. These questions will ask you to identify which road joins other roads identified to you.16 out of 20 questions need to be correct
5. Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Safeguarding. 4 out of 5 questions need to be correct
6. Equality and Disability. 4 out of 5 questions need to be correct
7. Numeracy. 4 out of 5 questions need to be correct
8. Byelaws. 4 out of 5 questions need to be correct
9. Fitness. These questions will be related to the physical and mental fitness of taxi drivers. 4 out of 5 questions need to be correct

Please be advised if you fail to meet the pass criteria in any section, the entire test is still a fail.

An example of a question you may be asked will look like this

• We recommend as a guide an absolute minimum of 20 hours study time prior to sitting your test.
• You will need to read and understand our policy as part of your study. This can be found at the top of the page.
• As part of your study it is recommended you visit areas to obtain a good working knowledge of the district.
• We recommend you also study maps of the area.
• Use the internet or local guides to become familiar with key places and destinations.
• You will need to ensure you are still fully familiar with the Highway Code
• You will need to be familiar with our Hackney Carriage Byelaws [doc] 48KB
• Further information about the nine elements of the test can be found in our study pack: V4 knowledge test study pack.docx [docx] 2MB . We strongly recommend you study this. The information in this pack may be updated regularly. We therefore recommend you refer to our website and study pack regularly to check you have the latest version. 
• The authority may ask to deem it appropriate from time to time to ask drivers to undertake training or knowledge tests in specific areas as a condition of renewal of their licence.

 

Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles

It is important that you read the taxi policy regarding licensing a hackney/private hire vehicle before you apply or buy a vehicle.

Further details are available in our taxi licensing Policy 2017 v1-4.pdf [pdf] 1MB. If you would like more information about vehicle specifications, please see our MOT inspection manual.doc [doc] 3MB. The garages contracted to conduct the vehicle testing are available in the contracted garages.pdf [pdf] 12KB list. 

Hackney carriages are vehicles that can be hailed from a rank or in the street, and can also be pre-booked. Together with their drivers, hackney carriages must be licensed by the local authority. The suitability and safety of vehicles can be considered when applications are received. Vehicle and driver licences are annual and extensive conditions apply.

Private hire vehicles do not have a topsign and only make pre-booked journeys. Their licensing provisions are much the same as for hackney carriages, although operators must also be licensed in addition to the driver and the vehicle.

 

MPV

1. Multi person vehicles (MPV’s) will not be licensed by Arun District Council unless the following specifications are met:-
   1. There must be at least five (5) doors on the vehicle which are openable from the inside (offside front; nearside front; offside rear; nearside rear and a “boot” door), double “boot” doors are considered as a single door;
   2. Rear “boot” doors must be signed as “Emergency Exits”;
   3. There must be unrestricted access to the doors of the vehicle, from or to any seat, without the need to remove any seat or operate a lever to lower the back of the seat or tilt the seat forward;
   4. No passenger must be required to climb over more than one other passenger, so as to safely and comfortably leave the vehicle;
   5. The distance in the emergency aisle between the sides of seats or the side of a seat and the vehicle body, must be a minimum of 229mm (9 inches) in width at a measurement of 127mm (5 inches) in height from the floor. The distance in the emergency aisle between sides of seats or the side of a seat and the vehicle body must be a minimum of 279mm (11inches) in width at a height of 1220mm (48 inches) from the floor;
   6. All seats in the vehicle shall be either forward or rear facing. All seats must be fitted with an appropriate and approved seat belt which is in working order;
   7. A copy of the seating arrangements (where applicable) agreed upon annual test, must be kept in the vehicle for inspection by the licensing officer;

B)        There shall be four (4) road wheels;

1. There shall be sufficient seating capacity to carry up to eight (8) passengers
2. The size of the seats shall be in accordance with The Road Vehicle (Registration and Licensing) Regulations;
3. A minimum secured luggage capacity of not less than fourteen (14) cubic feet. The luggage must be safely secured so as not to obstruct, restrict, or cause injury to the occupants of the vehicle.
4. The vehicle shall be right hand drive only;

If you purchase an MPV and you would like guidance on what is the satisfactory seating arrangement please view:  MPV specification.pdf [pdf] 111KB where you will be able to see guidance notes.

 

For the purposes of this page, we will refer to both hackney carriages and private hire vehicles as taxis.

Forms

notification of an accident - 2018.doc [doc] 91KB

statement form for complaint against driver-vehicle.doc [doc] 85KB

View the Online Public Register to see the register of licences held in this district