De-restriction of Hackney carriage numbers
On 8 April 2008 the council took the decision to de-restrict the number of hackney carriage vehicles in the borough. This means that any new application for a new hackney carriage plate must meet specific requirements. Disabled access vehicle criteria (PDF 15Kb).
Hackney carriage and private hire licences
The basic difference between hackney carriages and private hire is that hackney carriages are permitted to work from the various ranks in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill and can also be hailed on the street. Private hire vehicles are only available by prior booking through a private hire office and are not allowed to be hailed in the street. In order to help to distinguish between the two types of vehicle hackney carriages have yellow licence plates on the rear of their vehicles and private hire have white plates. Both have internal plates displayed.
There are two types of vehicle licensing: private hire and hackney carriage.
You may also see a number of our licensed vehicles displaying door stickers. These are on trial this year.
Private hire
Private hire operators licence
Guidance and conditions for private hire operators licence (PDF 40Kb)
Application form for private hire operators licence (PDF 23Kb)
Private hire vehicle licence
Guidance and conditions for private hire vehicle licence (PDF 56Kb)
Application form for private hire vehicle licence (PDF 29Kb)
Combined Hackney carriage and private hire drivers licence
Guidance and conditions for Hackney carriage and private hire drivers (PDF 47 Kb)
Application from for Hackney carriage/private hire driver (PDF 29Kb)
Hackney Carriage
Hackney carriage vehicle licence
Guidance and conditions for Hackney carriage vehicle licence (PDF 73Kb)
Hackney Carriage By-Laws (PDF 27Kb)
Application form for Hackney carriage vehicle licence (PDF 29Kb)
Hackney carriage fares chart (PDF 15Kb)
Combined Hackney carriage and private hire drivers licence
Guidance and conditions for Hackney carriage and private hire drivers(PDF 47Kb)
Application form for Hackney carriage/private hire driver (PDF 29Kb)
Operator licences
A private hire vehicle can only be despatched to a customer by a private hire operator. This is a person who holds an operators licence under Section 55 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
There are a number of conditions which an operator must adhere to in order to retain his/her licence and these are provided to every operator at the time of licensing.
Vehicle licences
There is a checklist available to any driver wishing to licence a hackney carriage/private hire vehicle. The main criteria are as follows:
- There is no current policy with regard to age of vehicles.
- Passenger capacity The minimum number of passengers for which a vehicle will be licensed is 4 and the maximum number is 8. Vehicles with a passenger capacity above 8 are classified as PSV and cannot be licensed as either hackney or private hire vehicles. Where one of the seats in the vehicle will be used for three passengers it must measure no less than 48 inches across (between the nearest interior fittings on either side).
- Pre-licence testing All vehicles require testing regardless of age. Inspections are carried out by the council's own depot.
- Vehicle exterior There are no restrictions on the colour of a vehicle but the paintwork must be clean and in good condition.
- Vehicle interior The interior must be clean and in good condition. All vehicles must be provided with a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
- External advertising Advertising is generally accepted on the front door of each type of vehicle. However, the council reserves the right to refuse the display of advertisements which are deemed inappropriate or offensive.
- Roof signs Roof signs are exclusive to hackney carriage vehicles. Lettering on the sign should state 'TAXI' and a separate sign is illuminated in the windscreen, 'FOR HIRE'. The sign must light up whenever the vehicle is available for hire. Specification for taxi and for hire signs (PDF 20Kb).
- Meters Hackney carriages must have a taximeter fitted but private hire vehicles are not obliged to do so. All meters will be checked by the council depot for correct calibration of the current tariff. Table of Hackney Carriage Fares 2008 (PDF 15Kb). There was no increase in fares for 2009. The meter must be positioned so that the passengers can clearly see the charge being made.
- London cabs This style of vehicle is not licensed within this borough as a private hire vehicle, as it is popularly recognised by the public as a hackney carriage. For the same reason roof signs, whether or not illuminated, are prohibited from private hire vehicles.
Driver licences
Any person wishing to drive a licensed Hackney carriage or private vehicle must first obtain the relevant licence to drive such vehicle(s) from the council. Licences are issued by virtue of the powers vested in the council by Part 2 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. Prior to being granted a licence the applicant is required to:
- CRB check The checks are done via the Criminal Records Bureau at a cost to the applicant. At the time of application it is necessary to provide current passport, driving licence, if photo card type the counterpart must be produced and at least two other documents for proof of identity. Note: The formal application process does not commence until/unless a favourable reply has been received from the Criminal Records Bureau. This initial step usually takes between two and four weeks and the applicant will receive a copy of his/her disclosure from the CRB at the same time as the council. View average times for CRB's (PDF 13Kb).
- Medical Examination Have a full medical examination. A D4 medical examination report must be completed and signed by your own doctor. In completing this report, medical practitioners are asked to have regard to the recommendations by the Medical Commission for Accident Prevention in their booklet Medical Aspects of Fitness to Drive and/or to the Notes for the Guidance of Doctors conducting these examinations prepared by the British Medical Association. The Licensing Services pro-forma must accompany this form to confirm you have passed.
A medical report to be completed:
- On application
- At the age of 45, and every five years thereafter until 65
- At 65, and then annually thereafter
- At other times when required/requested eg after a relevant medical operation or prolonged period of ill health
We advise you to await the outcome of the CRB check before completing your medical.
- You will also need evidence of satisfactory completion of one of the following Driving Standards Assessments:
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A Driving Standards Agency (DSA) assessment for Hackney carriage/private hire drivers
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The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) advanced driver test
-
Royal Society of Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) advanced driver test
You will normally only need to provide this on your first application. If a licence is granted, you may be referred back to the DSA for a further assessment in certain circumstances as specified in the council’s disciplinary code.
Further information:
Business Link
DSA online booking
- Employment signature - Obtain a signature from the hackney carriage or private hire operator employing him/her as a driver.
- Driving licence - Have held a full driving licence for at least 12 months and produce the licence for inspection.
- Photograph - Produce one passport style coloured photograph.
Additional guidance
Licensing Services
St Edmundsbury Borough Council
West Suffolk House
Western Way
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP33 3YU
Phone: 01284 757103
Email: licensing@stedsbc.gov.uk
