Consultation on Taxi License policy changes
Consultation on proposed changes to the Taxi Licensing Policies of Pendle Borough Council
We are concerned about the standard of mechanical safety of taxis operating in Pendle. A number of spot checks have shown high failure rates.
Changes to taxi policies discussed with the taxi operators and drivers, have not resulted in the quality of vehicles improving.
The last spot check had a vehicle failure rate of 93.3% which is totally unacceptable and puts passenger safety at risk.
There is an urgent need to make sure taxis are mechanically safe. An all-party working group of the Council has met and has put forward suggestions to improve the standard of taxis.
The main recommendation is for the compulsory use of an App so that drivers can check the roadworthiness of their taxi before the start of every shift and that information must be sent to the Council.
We also propose an increase in the number of tests per year from 2 to 3, one of which to include an MOT.
Both operators and drivers will have greater accountability for ensuring that each and every time a taxi goes onto the road it is safe.
For those operators and drivers who regularly fail to properly maintain and operate their vehicle(s) we are proposing to revoke their licences because they are putting passengers at risk.
We are keen to hear from people in our community on how we can best ensure public safety for both drivers and passengers of taxis.
We have prepared some suggestions on what could be included in a revised Taxi Licensing Policy for Pendle. We welcome your views on whether these are the right measures or whether others will be more effective.
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Trigger |
Sanction |
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Failure of 50% of tested vehicles of an operator over a 1 year period.
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Operator to have their licence revoked. |
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8 points to be issued to a driver of any vehicle that fails a spot check. |
A driver that exceeds 15 points will come before Taxi Licensing Committee to have their licence reviewed.
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Introduction of an App that will monitor that each vehicle is checked before the driver starts their shift |
It will be part of the taxi policy that the App is used. Failure to use it will result in revocation of a licence. |
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8 penalty points for any driver failing to have a record on the app to confirm that before the journey started they had checked the condition of their vehicle. The vehicle must comply with what is recorded on the app.
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A driver that exceeds 15 points will come before Taxi Licensing Committee to have their licence reviewed. |
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Lying/being untruthful on the vehicle check record.
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Driver to have their licence revoked for dishonesty.
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Failure to immediately attend a spot check.
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Driver to have their licence revoked
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A vehicle fails two spot checks. |
The licence for that vehicle is permanently revoked and that vehicle cannot be licensed again in Pendle.
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Now you have read through our proposals, please complete our quick consultation form and let us know your views.
The consultation will close on Sunday 26 February