Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy

A limousine, or other novelty vehicle capable of carrying no more than 8 passengers for hire or reward is a private hire vehicle, and all other interpretations, policies and conditions relevant to licensed private hire vehicles also apply, except where described below:

For the purposes of this policy and licence conditions, a stretched limousine is defined as a luxurious vehicle, whether left or right hand drive, that has been modified (stretched) to extend the length of the vehicle. The stretch shall not exceed 120 inches [3048 millimetres]. The vehicle shall be capable of carrying up to, but not exceeding eight seated passengers. Each passenger seating area will be at least 400mm wide.

For the purposes of this policy, a novelty vehicle shall be defined as follows: -

a) any vehicle that has been specially constructed adapted or converted by a low volume specialist vehicle manufacturer or modifier;

b) any vehicle that has been specially modified from its original design or specification and that is capable of carrying up to but not exceeding 8 passengers;

d) vehicles intended for the carriage of fare paying passengers that, prior to the introduction of this policy/conditions, would not be licensed by the Authority as a private hire vehicle because they did not comply with one or more of the Standard Conditions relating to

Private Hire Vehicles;

e) Any vehicle that, in the opinion of the Licensing Team Leader, because of its specialist design/styling or origin or age is required to be classed as a Novelty Vehicle.

Stretch limousines and other novelty vehicles will be licensed up to a maximum of twelve years from the date of registration; provided the vehicle presented meets all of the Council’s other criteria in terms of appearance and maintenance.

The vehicle licence plate must be kept in the boot of the vehicle at all times whilst the vehicle is licensed as a private hire vehicle. The internal plate must be displayed in the front windscreen at all times so that the details are clearly visible from both the interior and exterior of the vehicle. Where a partition is fitted to the vehicle a further internal licence plate must be displayed in the passenger compartment of the vehicle so that it is clearly visible to occupants.

Only a licensed private hire driver is permitted to drive the vehicle whilst it is licensed. The driver must ensure that they wear their Council-issued identity badge in a prominent position on their person at all times whilst working or driving the vehicle.

The driver shall at all times be clean and respectable in their dress and behave in a civil and orderly manner.

The Licensee shall not display any advertisement in or on the Vehicle or affix any roof sign to the Vehicle without the written consent of the Council.

a) The proprietor shall not permit the Limousine/Novelty Vehicle to be used to carry a greater number of passengers than the number prescribed in the licence. For the avoidance of doubt a child in arms is classed as a person whatever age.

b) No fare paying passengers will be carried in the front of the vehicle.

c) Where a clear view into the vehicle is restricted by either a window tint or the nature of the vehicle, the vehicle shall not carry less than two passengers at any one time. Where the passengers in the vehicle consist of persons under the age of 14 years they will be accompanied by a responsible adult, other than the driver, who is over the age of 18 years.

d) All passengers must remain seated at all times when the vehicle is in motion.

e) The proprietor of the vehicle must:

i) Provide sufficient means by which any person in the vehicle may communicate with the driver.

ii) Ensure that the interior of the vehicle is kept wind and watertight. iii) Ensure that the seats in the passenger compartment are kept properly cushioned and covered.

iv) Ensure that the floor in the passenger compartment is provided with a proper carpet, mat or other suitable covering.

v) Provide facilities for luggage to be conveyed safely and be protected from inclement weather.

vi) Provide at least two doors for use of persons conveyed in Limousine/Novelty Vehicle and a separate means of ingress and egress for the driver.

vii) Ensure that the interior and exterior of the Limousine/Novelty Vehicle is kept in a clean condition. viii) Ensure that seatbelts are fitted to all forward and rear facing seats. In accordance with Construction and Use Regulations, where seat belts are fitted they must be readily available to be worn by passengers at all times when the vehicle is in motion. ix) Ensure that an approved first aid kit and fire extinguisher will be carried in the vehicle at all times when the vehicle is in use. The fire extinguisher must be replaced every two years or earlier if necessary.

There shall be maintained in the vehicle adequate internal lighting to enable passengers to enter and leave the vehicle with safety.

The vehicle shall be equipped with a minimum of 4 road wheels and 1 full sized spare wheel. The tyres shall be of an approved rating as specified by the manufacturer.

Window glass is clean and gives a clear view both into and out of the vehicle. Only factory fitted tinted glass will be acceptable which must meet the requirements of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. Under no circumstances will stick on style tinting, or post manufacture glass tinting be permitted.

Novelty vehicles based on decommissioned Military or Emergency Response vehicles must have all official marking or lights removed. Any colour scheme must be of a contrast to the original colour scheme and to that of any previous or current military or emergency response vehicles.

Without prejudice to any other conditions in the Licence, a roof rack or any other device for storing luggage shall not be installed or maintained on any part of the exterior of the vehicle except with the approval of the Council.

A certificate exempting the vehicle from displaying a licence plate and Council-issued door stickers will be issued by the Council. This certificate must be carried in the vehicle at all times and be available for inspection on request by an authorised officer of the Council or a police constable.

The licence holder must notify the Licensing Authority in writing within 48 hours if they are interviewed by the police, receive a notice of intended prosecution, arrested, charged, cautioned or convicted of any offence, (including motoring offences, acceptance of speed awareness courses and/or associated court orders and pending court cases) during the currency of the licence.

If you are given a Traffic Offence Report, Notice of Intended Prosecution or Fixed Penalty Notice you need to notify in writing within 48 hours of receiving the document, not when the driving licence has been updated. You (or someone on your behalf) must notify the licensing authority in writing within 48 hours if you have been detained by the police.

Person shall tout, solicit or approach any person to encourage them to be carried in the vehicle.

Alcoholic drinks provided in the vehicle shall be available only under the terms of an appropriate licence relating to the sale and supply of alcohol. This includes any complimentary drinks provided as part of the hiring.

Alcohol shall only be consumed while the vehicle is stationary and the bottle shall immediately afterwards be placed in a secure receptacle. Suitable stowage shall be provided for any containers during the journey.

If all of the passengers are below the age of 18, there shall be no alcohol in the vehicle for consumption or otherwise.

Any glassware used in the vehicle must be made of shatterproof glass or plastic.

The driver shall not play or permit the performance of any media that, given its age classification or content, is unsuitable for the age of the passengers in the vehicle.

The limousine operator shall ensure that a performing rights licence is held where appropriate.

A Premises Licence will be required for the provision of any form of regulated entertainment within the scope of the Licensing Act 2003 when the vehicle is parked.

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

The driver shall have been appropriately trained to drive the type of vehicle being used. Evidence of this training shall be provided to an Authorised Officer on request.

The Council reserves the right to vary, delete or waive any of the foregoing Conditions.