Chesterfield taxi and private hire drivers face some of the biggest proposed changes to local licensing rules in more than a decade, with a council consultation closing on Monday, 24 August.
Chesterfield Borough Council is consulting on a revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy after its Appeals and Regulatory Committee agreed in July to put the proposed amendments to licence holders and other interested parties.
One of the most significant proposals would require every licensed vehicle to have an electronic payment facility available at all times, allowing passengers to pay by card or contactless payment. The council says this could include a physical card terminal, operator website or mobile app.
A new English-language requirement is also proposed. New applicants would need to demonstrate an adequate standard of written and spoken English before receiving a licence.
The requirement would also apply to drivers who are already licensed. Under the draft policy, existing drivers would have six months from implementation to provide an accepted qualification or complete an English-language assessment.
Safeguarding requirements could also become tougher. Drivers would have to complete a council-approved safeguarding course every three years or when renewing their licence, with a recent training certificate required before a licence could be issued or renewed.
Drug-related offences would receive additional scrutiny. A new applicant with a caution or conviction for a drug-related offence within the previous five years, as well as an existing driver receiving such a caution or conviction, could be required to undergo a hair or nail drug test at their own expense.
The proposed policy also strengthens rules affecting wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Operators applying for or renewing a vehicle licence would have to provide a test certificate for lifting equipment used to load wheelchairs.
Other proposed changes include increasing the minimum period a new driver must have held a DVLA driving licence to three years, strongly recommending CCTV in licensed vehicles, changing requirements surrounding lost property and tightening the council’s approach to serious motoring offences.
Applications from people convicted of driving under the influence of drink or drugs could be refused under the revised provisions, while an existing driver’s licence could be revoked where the relevant conditions are met.
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Importantly, Chesterfield’s revised policy has not yet taken effect. The council says objections received during the consultation will be referred to a further committee for consideration. If no objections are received, the proposed changes will come into effect.
That distinction matters for Chesterfield drivers and operators: the current licensing requirements remain in place unless and until the revised policy is formally implemented.
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Sources
Chesterfield Borough Council – Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy Consultation
