All vehicle proprietors are reminded that, from 1st September 2010, their licence conditions require that any licensed vehicle (over two years old) has an MOT test six months after its last licence renewal. The test must be carried out no earlier than seven days before and no later than seven days after the six month anniversary at an MOT test station. The last licence renewal reminder made this clear and indicated that no further reminders would be issued.
Failure to obtain an MOT certificate and submit it immediately to the licensing office will result in the suspension of the vehicle licence until the matter has been rectified.
01/03/2011
The Office of Fair Trading has issued guidance on competition law compliance for the taxi and private hire trade in relation to agreements on fare levels. Please follow the links below for further information:
14/11/2008
Crime prevention advice
Road Safety Advice
Bedford Place / Carlton Place junction - advice for licensed drivers
Advanced stop lines - advice for licensed drivers. Complaints have been received that licensed drivers are failing to obey the law in respect of advanced stop lines and are endangering cyclists as a result. Please see the note for further information
updated 29/01/2013
Boundary Charges
Please see the note of issues arising from a compliance operation carried on out 20th May 2011 by the Licensing Authority. These relate principally to the lawful calculation of hackney carriage fares, especially in relation to "boundary charges", and allegations of plying for hire by private hire drivers.
Driver Conduct at Ranks
The Licensing Team has received complaints concerning the behaviour of several licensed drivers at the hackney carriage ranks in the city. Please be advised that bad language, wolf-whistling and any type of offensive behaviour or public nuisance at the ranks is wholly unacceptable and reflects poorly on the trade as a whole. Should further complaints be received, appropriate action will be taken against individuals in line with the council’s Licensing Enforcement policy.
Complaints continue to be received about drivers carrying out U-turns, in particular from the London Road night-time taxi rank. This is an extremely dangerous manoeuvre which calls into question the fitness of individual drivers to hold licences. In future identified individuals will be liable to have their licences suspended or revoked if the practice is repeated.
Fitness of vehicles
On 23rd May 2012 the Licensing Team conducted an operation to check the fitness of licensed hackney carriages. The majority of the randomly selected vehicles inspected did not meet the required standards and those vehicles were suspended pending rectification of their defects. Please see the note of the findings, together with some example inspection sheets for the vehicles concerned.
On 30th November 2012, the Licensing Team, together with Hampshire Constabulary, conducted a further operation in respect of private hire vehicles; a number of defects were found an action was taken by both the Licensing Team and the Police - a note of the findings is available.
Overcharging
As part of an operation by the Licensing Team on 5th October 2012, a Southampton licensed hackney carriage driver was caught applying a fixed fare in excess of the prescribed table of fares for a journey within the city. As a result of this, prosecution of the driver is being considered. It is important that all hackney carriage drivers realise that prosecution for overcharging is a realistic consequence, which would lead, on conviction, to consideration being given as to that individual’s fitness to hold a licence.
All hackney carriage drivers are reminded that the amounts shown on the prescribed table of fares represents the maximum which may be charged for a journey or the part of a journey within the city boundaries and cannot be exceeded; drivers should therefore ensure that the meter is used for every such journey so as to assist in ensuring that no offence is committed.
It is not good for the reputation or the income of the Southampton taxi trade for such incidents to occur. The Licensing Team will continue to carry out tests to ensure driver and operator compliance with the law and licence conditions. We welcome the continued support of individuals in the trade to ensure public safety in Southampton.
Safety in the Docks
On Friday 19th October 2012, safety officers from Associated British Ports conducted a speed check within the docks estate. A total of seven taxi drivers were caught exceeding the 30 mph speed limit. On this occasion ABP, has asked only for the drivers concerned to be warned as to their conduct.
Letters have been sent to each of the seven drivers advising that not only do they risk the suspension of their docks permits, but that consideration, might in future, be given as to the suspension of their hackney carriage drivers’ licences on public safety grounds. Please be advised that there is a 30 mph limit throughout the docks’ estate, which must be adhered to.
At the same time, Licensing Enforcement Officers visited the docks and railway station to check on various aspects of the taxi trade. It was pleasing to see that the majority of drivers were well presented, courteous and helpful.
Sadly some let the side down. Two drivers were sent out of the docks to change, as they did not meet ABP’s dress code. Another driver gave poor customer service by delivering an elderly couple to the wrong side of the railway station and then charging the full fare for driving to the correct side. Why should a customer pay for your mistake?
Finally, given the results of a recent compliance operation, it was noted that drivers were using meters for journeys within the city; there were some twitching fingers hovering over the meter at the terminal, as drivers considered when to start it, but all we observed waited until all their passengers had been loaded.
Please keep thinking “customer service” to improve the reputation of your trade and bring the trade more business.
updated 29/01/2013
The Equalities Act 2010 received Royal Assent on 8th April 2010, but not all of the Act has been brought into force. In particular, sections 160 to 173 of the Act will affect the hackney carriage and private hire trade, although the timing and precise impact of some of the provisions is, as yet, unclear. Consultation by the Government and draft regulations are awaited.
The legislation replicates some of the requirements previously contained in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. In addition, the legislation gives the Government powers to prescribe a specification for wheelchair accessible taxis and to specify the proportion of licensed hackney carriages in each authority’s area which must be wheelchair accessible.
For further information, please see sections 160 to 173 of the Equalities Act 2010 and pages 113 to 121 of the accompanying Explanatory Notes. As and when the Licensing Team receives any indication of further implementation of the legislation, it will be published here
The Department for Transport has issued guidance on those parts of the Equalities Act 2010 which came into effect in October 2010. These deal with assistance by drivers to wheelchair users and the carriage of assistance dogs, replicating the previous duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Further information about the identification of Registered Assistance Dogs is available here (click on the logo).
updated 06/12/2012
Variation of Hackney Carriage Fares
A request for variation of hackney carriage fares on behalf of "Southampton's Combined Taxi Trade" was considered on 15 April 2013.
Notice of the proposals appeared on page 38 of the Hampshire Independent on 19 April 2013. The consultation period closed on 3 May 2013, with no objections having been made.
Therefore the varied table of fareswill come into effect on 17 May 2013 and vehicle proprietors will need to contact their meter suppliers to arrange for their meters to be updated and re-calibrated.
The new table of fares reflects a recent change in the law concerning additional charges for the use of credit and debit cards. This is contained in the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations 2012. The Government's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has issued guidance on the regulations. The law prohibits charging consumers more than the cost borne by the trader for accepting individual payments by debit or credit card.
updated 07/05/2013
Proposed variation of various hackney carriage and private hire fees - notice in the Southern Daily Echo on nth May 2012.
Any objections to the proposals in respect of hackney carriage, private hire vehicle or private hire operator licence fees were required to be sent to the licensing office so as to arrive no later than 2nd June 2012. No objections having been received, the fees for hackney carriage licences, private hire vehicle licences and private hire operators' licences were varied with effect from 23rd June 2012. The fees for hackney carriage and private hire drivers' licences and those in relation to the transfer and change of licensed vehicles were varied with effect from 25th May 2012.
updated 25/06/2012
Please note that all applications to license and re-license vehicles are dealt with strictly by timed appointment. Other callers are dealt with on a first come, first served basis.
Please appreciate that it may not always be possible to deal with your enquiry immediately, especially if the officer concerned is not available.
Licensing Office Relocation
The Licensing Team moved from Southbrook Rise to the Civic Centre on Tuesday 1st September 2012, prior to Southbrook Rise being vacated by the city council. Facilities at the Civic Centre, especially for parking of vehicles, are more limited than they were at Southbrook Rise, but a dedicated area is available for the inspection of vehicles immediately adjacent to the building.
18/09/2012
VOSA and licensing authorities continue to take action against limousine operators who are neither licensed for private hire (eight passenger seats or fewer) or as restricted PS Vs (more than eight passenger seats). VOSA acquired new powers to seize unlicensed vehicles in 2009, and used those powers in July 2010 to seize two unlicensed limousines from an operator in Carmarthenshire.
Following the seizure of the unlicensed vehicles, they were found to be unsafe, and after all avenues of appeal had been exhausted, their vehicles were crushed and shredded in March 2011. Please see the VOSA statement about this and a YouTube clip of the vehicles being crushed.
28/03/2011
If, as the driver of a Southampton licensed hackney carriage or private hire vehicle your vehicle receives a penalty charge notice (parking ticket) in the city, please do not contact the Licensing Team, as we are unable to intervene. Please follow the link below if you wish to pay or challenge a penalty charge notice:
Please note that you will need both the vehicle's registration number and the penalty charge notice for this processes.
updated 14/06/2012
Please see the ABP Cruise Ship schedule for the provisional list of Southampton cruise ship movements and ABP's live shipping movements page for the latest updates on all shipping movements in the port. Please note that both these pages are subject to frequent updates.
City Cruise Terminal
Please note that with effect from 17th January 2012, ABP has reversed the flow of traffic on the taxi rank at the City Cruise Terminal, 101 Berth in the Western Docks.
17/01/2012
Town Quay
ABP's Town Quay management implemented changes to the arrangements for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles on Town Quay with effect from 1 July 2009. Please see the following for further information:
10/06/2009
Restrictions on Docks Access Prior to Ship Arrival
Please note that for security reasons, with immediate effect ABP will not allow licensed vehicles into the docks more than 45 minutes prior to the arrival of a ship. Vehicles will not be allowed to congregate at the dock entrances prior to this time.
19/07/2012
With effect from 1 April 2009, Associated British Ports entered into a five-year agreement with Southampton City Council for the licensing team to issue permits allowing access to ABP's docks land by Southampton licensed hackney carriages.
Access to the docks to ply for hire is restricted to those Southampton hackney carriages with permits issued by the licensing team on behalf of ABP. All payments should be made to Southampton City Council via the licensing office at Southbrook Rise. These arrangements extend to cover Town Quay. If you have any questions about the docks permit system not answered in the document below, please contact the licensing team on 023 8083 3002.
In April 2010, ABP expressed concerns about the standard of dress of some of the licensed drivers working in the docks. All drivers plying for hire in the docks area are reminded of the need to comply with ABP's permit conditions:
"... drivers will wear appropriate, respectable and clean clothing. Appropriate clothing will include:
- Smart casual trousers, including, at times tailored shorts;
- A short or long sleeved shirt, with collar;
- Appropriate and safe footwear.
The following are deemed not to be appropriate:
- Jeans, jogging suits / pants;
- T shirts and reproduction sports shirts and shorts, flip flops and sandals."
The fee increased to £63.00 with effect from 4th January 2011 to take account of the increased rate of VAT
updated 17/01/2012
Current and proposed road works in Southampton
Please follow this link for a map of current and anticipated road works in the city - road works in Southampton
Itchen Bridge Automation
Please note that the Itchen Bridge toll collection will be fully automated from Friday 1st March 2013. The new machines accept the SmartCities card or change. Tokens are no longer accepted and spare tokens can be refunded as credit onto a SmartCities card.
To take advantage of the concessions available to larger Southampton licensed hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, proprietors or drivers will need to be obtain a SmartCities card by completing a commercial concession application. Please also see the guidance on the charging categories for the Itchen Bridge. For details of how the new automated toll collection system works or how to get the SmartCities card, please see the Itchen Bridge page.
01/03/2013
Platform Road/Queen's Park
The Council is planning highway improvement works along Platform Road and the adjoining road network to alleviate traffic congestion and help boost economic growth within the city centre and the Port of Southampton.
Public notice has been given of the Traffic Regulation Order setting out proposed changes to parking restrictions in the locality. These initial changes are related to the commencement of work on the southern side of Platform Road. As the scheme progresses, further proposals will follow as other sections of road and off-street parking are affected.
14/05/2013
Ruby Road/Deacon Road junction
Please note that the restrictions on entry into Ruby Road from Deacon Road have changed. There is now no right of entry into Ruby Road at its junction with Deacon Road 
by any motor vehicle. There are no exemptions for buses, hackney carriages or private hire vehicles. The restrictions are clearly signed as "No Motor Vehicles":
Hampshire Constabulary will enforce the restrictions and offenders can expect action to be taken against them.
Airport drop off / pick up arrangements
BAA has changed the arrangements for dropping off and picking up passengers from the terminal at Southampton Airport, so that passengers must be dropped off or picked up from the designated area within the short-stay car park. There will be no vehicular access to the area immediately in front of the terminal building.
For further information, please see BAA's February 2012 letter and the BAA Southampton Airport web site
Amendments to airport parking arrangements - February 2013
Please see the letter from Southampton Airport explaining the further changes to parking arrangements at the Airport implemented on 11th February 2013. Please note that the city council has no involvement in these matters and any responses should be sent direct to Southampton Airport.
updated 11/02/2013
South West Trains has requested that cruise ship passengers are dropped off at the Blechynden Terrace entrance to Southampton Central railway station, because the booking hall and ticket office on the Western Esplanade side of the station are not equipped to deal with a large influx of passengers - letter from SWT.
South West Trains has expressed concerns about over ranking on the Western Esplanade (south) side of Southampton Central railway station, which is causing obstruction to other legitimate users, especially when rail replacement bus services are in operation. A notice to drivers explains the issues.
updated 03/09/2012
From the Station Quarter regeneration project team:
The Station Quarter (North) regeneration project aims to enhance the built environment and transport interchange around Southampton Station. An incredible 5.5 million journeys are made to and from the station every year for business and leisure purposes and this project aims to transform the area into a gateway fit for a city.
Following a public exhibition of the current designs on the 5th/6th July feedback has been collected and detailed designs are now being produced.
Please see the current designs on the project's web pages.
23/10/2012
Information Commission action
The Information Commission's notice to the city council to cease continuous audio recording in taxis and private hire vehicles has been upheld on appeal, contained in a judgment by the Information Rights Tribunal released on 20th February 2013. The Information Rights Tribunal was, however, clear that there is no objection whatsoever to a requirement for continuous video recording in licensed vehicles and that other options in respect of audio recording may be acceptable.
The Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services has therefore temporarily suspended the current policy and conditions requiring the fitting of in-car taxi cameras. The effect of this is that existing installed camera systems will need to be altered to remove the audio recording facility. Individual proprietors will be notified of arrangements to achieve this when they have been confirmed, but existing camera systems must not be altered or interfered with in the interim.
Until it is possible for the Licensing Committee to consider revisions to the current policy, the temporary suspension of the policy means that new and replacement vehicles will not be required to have approved camera systems fitted. Please note that any such vehicles will need to comply with any revised policy when it has been determined by the Licensing Committee.
Please see the council's statement on this matter - copies are available at the Licensing Office.
Taxi Camera Advice
If your licensed vehicle is fitted with an approved taxi camera, please read this notice and take appropriate action - Taxi camera advice.
If you are considering applying for a new vehicle licence or replacing your existing vehicle, an approved taxi camera will be required in the new vehicle. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has confirmed that vehicle proprietors may claim back the net cost of camera installations against tax over one year.
Please read the Vehicle Application Guidance (updated August 2012) for further information including alterations to prices and a letter sent to all camera fitters clarifying the Licensing Authority's minimum standards for taxi cameras.
Cameras from Brigade Automotive, Pageantry Electronics and VerifEye Technologies are available.
updated 21/02/2013
The location of taxi ranks in the city provided by Southampton City Council as Highway Authority are shown on the council's Geographic Information System.
Please see the Road Works and Closures section above for details of any temporary alterations to taxi ranks.
London Road Night-Time Rank
Please note that the route to the London Road night-time rank should be via Kings Park Road, the Kings Park Road car park, Asylum Road, Bellevue Road and London Road. The barriers at the exit from the Kings Park Road car park into Asylum Road have been removed. Do not queue in Bellevue Road nor effect "U"-turns, especially in London Road.
updated 04/04/2012, .
Consultation meetings are held between the representatives of recognised trade bodies and the city council at regular intervals.
A further meeting has been arranged for 25th October 2012.
updated 03/09/2012
The city council, as licensing authority for hackney carriages, has a legal duty to commission independent periodic surveys of unmet demand for hackney carriages, usually at no more than three year intervals, so long as it wishes to restrict the number of hackney carriage licences issued.
Because the provisions of the Equalities Act 2010 relating to hackney carriages have yet to be implemented by the Department for Transport and the current policy of the licensing authority to continue to restrict the numbers of hackney carriage licences issued, a further survey was conducted on behalf of the city council in the autumn/winter of 2011/12.
Halcrow Group Ltd.’s latest report on its survey into unmet demand within Southampton was considered by the Licensing Committee at its meeting on 14th June 2012 and, having been made aware of existing government guidance and the body of case law, determined that there was no significant unmet demand for the services of additional licensed hackney carriages in the city.
Subject to any changes in the law or guidance in the interim, a further survey will need to be carried out within three years.
updated 14/06/2012
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