Decision details

PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE LICENCE APPLICATION - Ford Tourneo - Registration Number BC18 UWL

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Director of Law and Corporate Services reported upon an application received to license a Ford Tourneo, registration number BC18 UWL, as a Private Hire Vehicle outside the current criteria which states that the front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30%. 

 

The report also included a request by the proprietor of the vehicle to be granted an exemption from the legal requirement to display Private Hire Vehicle Licence Plates on this vehicle.

 

The current criteria that vehicles must comply with before being granted a Private Hire Vehicle Licence states that: The front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30%.  It is also a legal requirement that when a Private Hire Vehicle Licence is granted the Council must issue a plate or a disc identifying that vehicle as a Private Hire Vehicle.

 

It was reported that should the application be granted it would be necessary for the vehicle to be examined at one of the Council’s authorised testing stations in order for it to receive a valid MOT and Compliance certificate.

 

The proprietor of the vehicle attended the meeting with the vehicle which was inspected by Members.  It was reported that the proprietor of the vehicle had previously attended the Licensing Panel regarding this application however this meeting had been adjourned to allow the applicant to provide further information to the Licensing Panel.

 

The proprietor of the vehicle had provided further details in support of his application to Members of the Licensing Panel in advance of the meeting and outlined the business model to Members of the Panel in that they wished to provide an executive travel service and wanted to be able to offer a discreet service to their customers.  During the meeting the applicant also requested that the vehicle be exempt from displaying door signs which provide details of the Private Hire Operator.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)  That the application to license a Ford Tourneo, registration number BC18 UWL as a Private Hire Vehicle, outside the current criteria which states that the front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30% be granted with the following conditions:

 

·  All bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

 

·  Payment for all bookings must be requested through an invoicing system.

 

·  The operator must communicate with customers for each booking taken, by text or email, with the following information:

 

-  Private Hire Driver name

-  Private Hire Driver photograph

-  Private Hire Driver badge number

-  Private Hire Vehicle registration number

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the above conditions also apply in respect of drivers and vehicles undertaking work for bookings subcontracted to other private hire companies.

 

(2)  That the application to exempt the Ford Tourneo, registration number BC18 UWL from displaying Private Hire Vehicle Licence Plates and from displaying door signs which provide details of the Private Hire Operator be granted.

Publication date: 05/12/2024

Date of decision: 08/11/2024

Decided at meeting: 08/11/2024 - Licensing Panel

Accompanying Documents: