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What are the legal requirements for Private Hire Vehicles?

There are many different laws affecting proprietors and vehicles but the main Act of Parliament covering the licensing of Private Hire Vehicles is contained in Part II, Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
This Act says we cannot limit the number of vehicle licences and must grant a vehicle licence if we are satisfied that:

1. Your car is suitable in type, size and design for use as a private hire vehicle. (see technical specifications)

2. Your car does not look like a taxi.

3. Your car is mechanically suitable.

4. Your car is safe and comfortable.

5. Your car is insured for private hire work.

6. Your car is constructed or adapted to seat no more than 8 passengers.

7. You are responsible for the keeping and running of the vehicle either solely or in partnership with other persons.

8. Your licence, if granted or renewed, will be for one vehicle at any one time.

9. You have been honest in supplying information to us and must not, under any circumstances, make a false statement at any time to obtain your vehicle licence. This is a serious offence.
   There are many different makes and styles of vehicle on the road today. Not all vehicles would be suitable for use as a private hire vehicle (for example, an open top 2 seater sports car!) and the City Council has therefore approved certain standards to guide proprietors on the type of vehicle considered suitable bearing in mind public comfort/safety and the legal requirements previously mentioned.

The specifications we normally apply are as follows:-

1. That your vehicle is not over 6 years old on first licensing. Once licensed, a vehicle may remain licensed until 8 years old if we consider it to be in a good mechanical and cosmetic condition. (w.e.f. 1996).
   WARNING
   Check the vehicle registration date carefully and try to obtain the vehicle registration document from the previous owner/keeper. Please contact DVLA on 08702 400009 if you have any problems.
2. That your vehicle is right hand drive. We will not normally accept any 'conversions' from left to right hand drive. (See specification 11)
3. That your vehicle (if a car) has a minimum of 4 doors. The design of the car can be saloon, hatchback or estate.
4. That your vehicle has a wheelbase (when measured from the centre of the front wheels to the centre of the rear wheels) of at least 2540mm
   WARNING
   If in doubt please consult the manufacturers technical guide or contact us for advice. Do not assume that the wheelbase is of sufficient length.
5. That your vehicle has a back seat width (when measured in a continuous line from edge to edge) of 1270mm.
6. That your vehicle provides easy access from a door to any passenger seat and no 'tip up" seat mechanism shall be accepted
7. That your vehicle is constructed or adapted to carry a minimum of 4 passengers in comfort.
8. That your vehicle (if a minibus or 'people mover') has sufficient doors of sufficient size to allow passengers to get in and out quickly and safely.
   WARNING
   Minibuses or 'people movers' must have individual seatbelts fitted in accordance with the manufacturers instructions and required installation procedures. We will not licence a minibus or 'people mover' without seatbelts.
9. That no newly licensed vehicle (wef 1 October 2001) be coloured silver with the exception of temporary use" vehicles.
10. That your vehicle displays the approved corporate livery logo for rear door signs (with the exception of prestige, limousine or airport only vehicles) as prescribed by the Council wef 1 April 2002.
11. That specifications 1 and 2 be waived (wef 31 August 2001) for Lincoln Town cars used as stretch limousines subject to the following:-
    

     

    • The production of a single vehicle approval certificate of type fitness (SVA) from the VOSA.
    • The vehicle shall be capable of carrying a minimum of 5 and maximum of 8 passengers.
    • No passengers may be carried in the front of the vehicle.