1. Government Best Practice Guidance
Section 6.13 of the Government’s Best Practice Guidance for Taxis and Private Hire requires that a ‘driver should undertake a walkaround check before a vehicle is used. Where more than one driver will use the vehicle during the day’s running, the driver taking charge of a vehicle should make sure it is roadworthy and safe to drive by carrying out their own walkaround check’
Requested Information: What action does your authority take to raise taxi and private hire drivers’ awareness of this obligation?
2. Taxi and Private Hire Policy – Pre-Use Walkaround Checks
Section 6.13 of the Government’s Best Practice Guidance for Taxis and Private Hire requires that a ‘driver should undertake a walkaround check before a vehicle is used. Where more than one driver will use the vehicle during the day’s running, the driver taking charge of a vehicle should make sure it is roadworthy and safe to drive by carrying out their own walkaround check’
Requested Information: Does your taxi and private hire policy require licensed taxi and private hire drivers to undertake a walkaround check before a vehicle is used?
3. Recording Pre-Use Walkaround Checks
Section 6:13 of the Government’s Best Practice Guidance for Taxis and Private Hire states that: ‘Drivers should be required to retain the vehicle checklist as proof that they have undertaken the required vehicle check’ .
Requested Information: What obligations do you place on licensed drivers to keep formal records of their pre-use walkaround checks of their taxi or private hire vehicle?
4. Regulatory Action Where No Walkaround Checks Take Place - Drivers
Section 6:13 of the Government’s Best Practice Guidance for Taxis and Private Hire states that: ‘Drivers should be made aware that they may be subject to sanctions if they are unable to produce this or it is clear that while the form has been completed, the check has not’ .
Requested Information: What processes do you have in place to identify licensed drivers who fail to undertake a pre-use walkaround check and what regulatory action is taken against those drivers that fail to do so?
5. Regulatory Action – Proprietors
Section 6:13 of the Government’s Best Practice Guidance for Taxis and Private Hire states that: ‘Further sanctions may result against them, as well as vehicle proprietors, if they are found using a defective vehicle, especially if the condition of the vehicle is such that it is obvious no routine checks have occurred over several days’ .
Requested Information: Do enforcement officers in your council who find defective taxi or private hire vehicles request that the proprietor provides evidence of routine checks? Where no evidence is provided are additional sanctions taken against proprietors?