Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy

Definitions

1. In these conditions, the following expressions have the following meaning:
   1. “Exemption notice” means a notice served by the Council which permits the licensee:
      1. to display the executive licence plate/disc issued by the Council on the licensed vehicle in place of the normal licence plate required by condition 7 of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licence Conditions
      2. to tint the windows of the licensed vehicle notwithstanding the Council’s policy in this respect;
      3. to refrain from displaying door stickers issued by the Council for display on licensed vehicles pursuant to condition 8 of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licence Conditions.
   2. “Withdrawal notice” means a notice served by the Council which withdraws an exemption notice and revokes the permissions granted by the exemption notice.
   3. “Work of a corporate or executive nature” means work which satisfies both (a) and (b) below. The work must be conducted:
      1. for corporate or other business account customers who have a contract or written agreement with the licence holder; and
      2. payment is made in advance or on an account basis and not direct to the driver.

Being selective over clients, general airport runs and pre-agreeing fares does not constitute executive hire work.

2. Any vehicle which is the subject of an exemption notice shall be predominantly used for work of a corporate or executive nature. Limited non-executive journeys may be undertaken provided they do not become the main purpose for which the vehicle is used. The vehicle shall not be used to convey children to or from schools.

3. The vehicle shall be maintained in pristine condition with no visible defects, dents or blemishes to the external bodywork or internal trim or seating.

4. The Exemption Notice issued by the Council shall be carried within the vehicle at all times and presented for inspection at the request of an Authorised Officer, a Police Officer or the Hirer.

5. Other than the executive licence plate or discs issued by the Council, no advertisement, signage, logos or insignia shall be displayed in, on or from the vehicle.

6. The Council may serve a Withdrawal Notice in its absolute discretion. Following service of a Withdrawal Notice, the Licensee shall return the executive licence plate or disc to the Council forthwith, and may not use the vehicle for private hire work unless and until the vehicle is fitted with a standard private hire licence plate (as required by condition 7 of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licence Conditions), door stickers (as required by condition 8 of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licence Conditions), and complies with the Council’s policy in relation to tinted windows.

7. Executive status is not transferable between private hire operators. The Licensee must notify the Authorised Officer in writing of any change in the Operator(s) who are operating the vehicle in line with condition 11 of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licence conditions and the Authorised Officer will determine whether retention of executive status is appropriate.