DRIVERS
I have to be a 'fit and proper person' to be
licensed, what does that mean?
What do I need to provide when applying for a
licence?
Why do I have to have a
CRB
check every 3 years at extra
cost?
May I use my
CRB
check and medical obtained
elswhere?
About the
DSA
test.
About
the Knowledge test.
How long
does a licence last?
Must I wear my badge?
May I use my car horn to let customers know I
have arrived?
Do I
have to accept bus tokens?
Can I stop at a 'taxi rank'?
May I take bookings on my own
behalf?
May I drive for a company in another local
authority area?
Use
of data to prevent and detect fraud
Public Register (external
Website) >>
I have to be a 'fit and proper
person' to be licensed, what does that mean?
Lord Bingham said it means that you
must be a safe driver with a good driving record and adequate
experience, sober, mentally and physically fit, honest and not a
person who would take advantage of their employment to abuse or
assault passengers. It has also been put another way; that
you are a person that a parent would entrust their child to be
alone with in a car.
What do I need to provide when
applying for a licence?
A
CRB
check, a medical report, a
full driving licence, date of DSA assessment, date of knowledge
test, 2 passport sized photos and a completed application form
(which requests the names and addresses of 2 references).
Full details are provided in an application pack obtainable from
the Licensing Department, in person or by post.
Any applicant unable to provide a full 5 year address history in
the UK must provide a Certificate of Good Conduct from their
Embassy or Home Country Police and a Home Country Traffic Police
Record, with English translation where necessary, to complete a
total 5 year history.
Why do I have to have a
CRB
check every 3 years at extra
cost?
HBC
is required to ensure that
licence holders are 'fit and proper' to hold licences. Part
of that procedure is an initial and then periodic checks for
any criminal record held or acquired over the time you are
licensed. The only organisation permitted to do this is the
CRB
who set their own
fee. The Council has no control over this matter.
May I use my
CRB
check and medical obtained
elswhere?
You may be able to if they have
been obtained in the last 12 months. The Licensing Officers
will be able to give more specific advise as cases can vary.
About the
DSA
test.
As a
professional driver, you will have a special responsibility to
ensure that your passengers have a safe, comfortable and
enjoyable journey therefore we ask initial driver applicants to
take a
DSA
test. You will need to contact the
DSA
and arrange a test date for
the Hackney Saloon/Private Hire Saloon driver assessment test
(type Z). The date of this test will need to
be entered onto the blue
HBC
application form. The
DSA
booking line is
0300 200 1122 or
www.transportoffice.gov.uk
There is an optional assessment that can be taken if you have a
wheelchair accesssible vehicle. This is Hackney Wheelchair
enhanced assessment test (type Z1). The
DSA
offices at Portsmouth and
Gosport conduct the assessment tests and the optional wheelchair
enhances assessment is only conducted at Gosport.
About the Knowledge test
The public
have a right to expect that the driver of a hackney carriage or
private hire vehicle will know how to get to a destination
therefore we ask initial driver applicants to take a knowledge
test. You will need to book the test at
HBC
reception when submitting your
application forms and enter the test date on the blue
HBC
application form. The
test is in two sections, the first concentrates on the knowledge of
roads within the borough. The second section is in two parts,
the first on the knowledge of named sites, the second on the laws
and conditions applying to the trade. If you do not pass the
test the first time you will be able to retake it one month after
the first test. If you have not passed the test after three
attempts, applicants will be asked to come back no sooner
than six months to try again. When attending to take the
knowledge test, applicants should bring either a photocard style
driving licence (both parts) or a passport and the applicable
fee.
How long does a licence last?
A year from the date of
issue.
Must I wear my badge?
Yes, customers expect to see a
driver is licensed not only when they are in the car but also when
they call to collect their passenger. It is a matter of
public safety and reassurance.
May I use my car horn to let
customers know I have arrived?
No, the unnecessary use of a
vehicle horn is a criminial offence and contrary to the Council's
code of conduct for drivers. The use of horns is a source of
complaint to the Council from residents who readily identify
licensed vehicles.
Do I have to accept bus
tokens?
Not neccessarily, however, as
private hire drivers work for an operator, it is the operator who
should determine the company policy, not the driver or vehicle
proprietor.
Can I stop at a 'Taxi rank'?
Only if you are driving a Hackney
carriage and are with the vehicle. Private Hire drivers are not
permitted to stop at a 'taxi rank'.
May I take bookings on my own
behalf?
Hackney carriages can but private
hire vehicles cannot - all their bookings must go through a Havant
licensed operator.
May I drive for a company in
another local authority area?
No, all 3 licences - driver,
vehicle and operator - must be issued by Havant, however you may
hold driver's licences for several areas.
Use of data to prevent and detect
fraud
A full 'fair processing notice'
giving links to the detailed statutory requirements is on the
council's website link to 'fair processing notice'>>