Taxi and private hire news and updates
14 December 2020 - Three Rivers to move into Tier 3
From 00.01 on Wednesday 16 December, Three Rivers, along with Watford, Broxbourne, Hertsmere and the whole of London will be going into Tier 3.
For official government guidance on what you can and can’t do in Tier 3 please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-3-very-high-alert
All passengers should check the local restriction tiers that apply in the areas they will pass through.
Taxis and private hire vehicles providing services through or within these areas should continue operating services as normal. To help control the spread of the virus you should remind passengers of the rules on social contact but you do not have to refuse to carry them.
Guidance : Coronavirus (COVID-19): taxis and PHVs
Actions that drivers, operators and owners of taxis or private hire vehicles (PHVs) can take to protect against coronavirus.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-taxis-and-phvs
15 June 2020 - New rules on face coverings come into force today - public transport
https://www.instituteoflicensing.org/news/new-rules-on-face-coverings-come-into-force-today/
IMPORTANT: All Three Rivers District Council licensed drivers (private hire and Hackney Carriage) are required to wear a face mask whilst working. Any drivers who are seen to not be wearing facemasks will receive contravention points as his would be in breach of their licence conditions and guidance from the DfT. This condition will remain in force until the legislation is amended.
13 May 2020 - Guidance update for Operators and Passengers
The Government have published transport guidance for operators and passengers in England.
The guide for operators will help organisations, agencies and others (such as self-employed transport providers) understand how to provide safer workplaces and services for themselves, their workers and passengers across all modes of private and public transport. Each transport provider will need to translate the principles and examples in this guidance into specific actions.
Click here for Q&A's for the taxi/PHV sector, containing links to the guidance and answers to common questions.
8 April 2020 - NEW Applications for Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Drivers and Private Hire Operators
Due to the current situation with Covid-19 (coronavirus), we are unable to accept any new applications due to applicants being unable to obtain a medical certificate from their GP. We are also not able to offer any knowledge test appointments for new applicants whilst the Council offices remain closed.
Changes to Hackney Carriage and private hire knowledge test:
As of 1st May 2020 the knowledge test that applicants for driver licenses (private hire and Hackney Carriage) have to pass will be changing format. Please see the knowledge test page for more information.
- Mandatory Safeguarding training:
Three Rivers District Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. As a taxi or private hire vehicle driver, you may observe incidents that nobody else does – so we believe it is crucial that our licensees are equipped with the basic skills and knowledge necessary to identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns. Therefore, as of 1st April 2020 all new applicants applying for a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire driver licence or Private Hire Operator licence as well as current holders of Hackney Carriage and private hire driver and operator licences are required to complete a Safeguarding course and provide the licensing department with the pass certificate which will be attached to their record. This is mandatory. Any person who has previously successfully passed an accredited Safeguarding course may provide the Licensing Department with proof of this in the form of their pass certificate for the licensing officer to consider.
Emails:
We are striving to go paperless and are therefore phasing out paper correspondence in favour of electronic communication and documents. Please email us at licensing.team@threerivers.gov.uk to provide us with an up to date email address and to acknowledge that future correspondence will be sent by email.