New policies and conditions

A number of new policies and conditions were adopted by the licensing Committee at the meeting on 24 July 2019.

Vehicle conditions

As reported in the Clean Air Zone report on this noticeboard in April the committee has now formally adopted the condition for vehicles to be clean air compliant by 1/1/23.

This means from 1/1/20 diesel vehicles that are not renewals will have to be Euro 6. Additionally any diesel renewals after 1 January 2022 will have to be Euro 6. We will be writing to the proprietors of all the vehicles impacted by this change.

Safeguarding training

From 1 January 2020 drivers will be required to have undertaken approved safeguarding training within the last three years when applying for either a new or renewal driver licence. This means drivers will be required to attend a training session every three years. We are currently working to source a suitable supplier for this training and will publicise how to attend a course once this is done. The first course for any current drivers that held a licence prior to 1 July 2019 will be free. Any new drivers will have to pay the provider the fee, anticipated to be under £25 for the first course. We will be working with the provider to create a refresher course that we hope will result in a shorter session and a cheaper fee.

Guidance on determining the suitability of applicants and licensees in the hackney and private hire trades

The licensing committee agreed to adopt the Institute of Licensing guidance on determining the suitability of applicants and licensees in the hackney and private hire trades with the exception of para 4.42 which will be replaced by-

A minor traffic or vehicle related offence is one which does not involve loss of life, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, driving whilst using a mobile phone, and has not resulted in injury to any person or damage to any property (including vehicles). Where an applicant has nine or more points on their DVLA licence for minor traffic or similar offences the applicant will be required to undertake driver assessment training as approved by the Council. Where an applicant has or reaches 12 points on their DVLA licence for minor traffic or similar offences a licence will not be granted until the applicant/licence holder is conviction free for at least one year and at least three months after the end of any driving ban imposed by the courts and after passing an approved driver assessment.