Taxi driver, operator and vehicle proprietor policy
Policy, purpose, status and scope
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council is the licensing authority responsible for regulating the hackney carriage and private hire trades operating across its district under the legislative framework of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 and Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
It has traditionally exercised these responsibilities by way of individual policies, conditions, byelaws, guidelines, and procedures which have been developed and adopted over the years.
It is widely considered best practice for the licensing authority to create a unified policy that brings together all these procedures and documents in one overarching policy.
This policy does not override the legal requirements embodied in any primary or secondary legislation in force at the time of adoption, or as may be enacted after the adoption of this policy.
Where there are any subsequent changes made to the applicable legislation, or its interpretation by the courts that conflict with this policy, the conflicting elements will not apply and will be amended at the earliest opportunity.
The legislation places a duty on the council as the authority for licensing hackney carriage and private hire vehicles, drivers of those vehicles and operators of those vehicles.
The licensing authority understands the importance and responsibility it has in ensuring that licensed vehicles in the district are safe, comfortable, properly insured, available where and when required, and that drivers are fit and proper to undertake the role.
The primary focus of the licensing authority when administering its functions are public safety, safeguarding and wellbeing. In exercising its discretion in carrying out regulatory functions the licensing authority will have regard to this policy.
In formulating this policy, consideration has been given to local circumstances and requirements, and the Department for Transport best practice guidance. Every decision, application and enforcement action will be considered on its own merits.
This licensing authority may depart from this policy, if merited, but will provide clear and detailed reasons for doing so.
This policy is not a comprehensive statement of the law; applicants should always obtain their own legal advice if they are unsure of the requirements of legislation.
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council's Taxi driver, operator and vehicle proprietor policy was adopted in October 2023 and will be reviewed October 2028.