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Technical specifications for Hackney Carriage Vehicles

There are many different makes and styles of vehicle on the road today. Not all vehicles would be suitable for use as a Hackney Carriage 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 to saloons, hatchbacks, estates or other specialist vehicles 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).
2. A London Style vehicle meeting the PCO specification and currently licensed may remain licensed until 12 years old. These vehicles must not be over 4 years old on first licensing.
3. A suitably adapted fully wheelchair accessible vehicle with a minimum low volume (small series) type M1 approval from the vehicle certification agency. The vehicle must be brand new on first licensing and may remain licensed until 8 years old (wef 31 August 2Q01).
   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.
4. That your vehicle is right hand drive. We will not accept any 'conversions' from left to right hand drive under any circumstances.
5. That your vehicle (if a car) has a minimum of 4 doors. The design of the car can be saloon, hatchback or estate.
6. That your vehicle has a wheelbase (when measured from the centre of the front wheel to the centre of the rear wheel) of at least 2540mm.
   WARNING
   If in doubt please consult the manufacturers technical guide or consult us for advice. Do not assume that the wheelbase is of sufficient length.
7. That your vehicle has a back seat width (when measured in a continuous line from edge to edge) of 1270mm.
8. That your vehicle provides easy access from a door to any passenger seat and no "tip up" seat mechanism shall be accepted.
9. That your vehicle is constructed or adapted to carry a minimum of 4 passengers in comfort.
10. That your vehicle has a TAXI roof sign capable of being illuminated at night and complying with our approved specifications.
11. 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.
12. That any licensed vehicle (wef 1st October 2001) be coloured silver with the exception of "temporary use" vehicles. The definition/interpretation of silver be delegated to the DCS to determine.
13. That your vehicle displays the approved corporate livery logo for taxi roof signs, bonnet and rear doors as prescribed by the council wef 1st November 2001.

Specifications - Overview

The following pictorial representation is designed to assist proprietors by way of quick reference to those requirements shown in a-m above:

THE SPECIFICATIONS STATED ARE ACCURATE W.E.F. AUGUST 2001. THE COUNCIL MAY CHANGE OR SUBSTITUTE THESE REQUIREMENTS AT ANY TIME.