Please note: only original documents accepted

Transcription

1 HACKNEY CARRIAGE/PRIVATE HIRE DRIVER S LICENCE CHECKLIST Please note: only original documents accepted Applicants Use LSU Use ONLY Initials & Date LO Use ONLY Initials & Date Application form fully completed and declaration signed Valid driving licence (If you passed your driving test and/or your licence was originally issued in another country, please contact the Licensing Team) Proof of Right to Work Documents provided List A or List B document(s)) (Note - Compulsory for all applicants) Non British Passport holders please contact the Licensing Team for advice about the documents you must provide Disclosure & Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure application form & supporting documents (form must be obtained from this Council unless registered with the update service in which case you MUST bring your current original certificate with you) Received Sent Returned Certificate of Good Conduct if applicable Medical completed ready for your application appointment (form downloadable from Council website) Your medical must be completed at the GP Surgery where you are registered and your records are held. If you are diabetic, please contact the Licensing Team. Course booked Disability Awareness Training if you have already attended an equivalent course (within the last 5 years), please provide original Certs provided certificates. DVLA mandate consent form completed (downloadable from Council website) Received Sent Returned Knowledge test Date P/F Date P/F Date P/F Date P/F Date P/F Two passport size and quality photos Payment V.5 1

2 APPLICATION FOR A HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS LICENCE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT 1976 TOWN POLICE CLAUSES ACT 1847 Please read the council s licensing policy and attached guidance notes before completing this form Section1: Application Type New: Renewal: Badge number (if renewal): Section 2: Applicants Details Full Name: Permanent Address: First Name Middle Name Surname Date of Birth: Home Telephone Number: Mobile Telephone Number: Place of Birth: Address: If you change address or telephone number, you MUST inform us. Section 3: Operator / Company Details Please complete the following details regarding the company you intend to work for: Company Name: If you change the company you are working for you must inform the council V.5 2

3 Section 4: Driving Licence Details Have you held a full UK/EU Driving Licence for over 12 months? Country of Issue: YES NO Section 5: Previous Licences Have you previously been licensed by any Licensing Authority (including Vale of White Horse District Council) to drive Hackney Carriage or held a Hackney Carriage Vehicle or a Private Hire Vehicle licence? YES NO If YES, Please list the authorities you have been licensed by: Have you ever had an application for a private hire or hackney carriage driver or vehicle licence refused, revoked or suspended by any Licensing Authority (including Vale of White Horse DC?) YES NO If YES, Please give details below: (please Include dates and name of authority) Section 6: Your Vehicle Do you hold a Hackney Carriage Vehicle or a Private Hire Vehicle licence? If YES, please give details below: YES NO Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence Private Hire Vehicle Licence Plate Number: Expiry Date: Licensing Authority: V.5 3

4 Section 7: Previous Convictions Please give details of ALL offences or convictions, cautions, fines, ASBOs, Community Service Orders, Restraining Orders and fixed penalties (including traffic offences) whether spent or not. Please ensure that you also list any pending prosecutions, licensing hearings or appeals: (please continue on a separate sheet if you require more space) Offence Sentence (including suspended sentences, points and fines) Date of Conviction or Offence If you fail to include any item on this section that is subsequently disclosed on your Disclosure and Barring Service Check, DVLA Check or Local Authority Check, it will be considered as an attempt to obtain a licence by deception and may adversely affect your application. Office use only: Signed (applicant): Dated: Signed (BSU officer): Dated: Were you born outside of the UK or have you spent more than three consecutive months in any country other than the UK? Yes No If YE Details, if yes... Disclosure and Barring Service If you are registered with the DBS update service and paid the necessary subscription fee do you give permission to Vale of White Horse District Council to carry out status checks on your DBS record until the expiry date of your driver's badge? YES Certificate number: DVLA Checks Do you give permission to Vale of White Horse District Council to carry out status checks on your DVLA record until the expiry date of your driver's badge? YES NO NO National Insurance Number: V.5 4

5 Declaration I understand that I must provide a completed medical certificate of fitness prior to the licence being issued and that any medical examination must be done with the benefit of access to my full medical records by my own General Practitioner or Consultant. I declare that the information given by me in this application is correct in every respect. I will inform Vale of White Horse District Council of any changes to my circumstances that may affect my application. If granted a licence, I declare that I will comply with such Acts, Byelaws and conditions as are in force in the District. I understand that I shall be liable to prosecution in a Magistrates Court if I have knowingly or recklessly made a false statement or omitted any relevant information. I declare that I have read and completed this application myself and I have read and understand the council s hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy and council s driver and vehicle licence conditions. I understand that the council may share any of this information with other agencies (never individuals) if it is considered necessary for the prevention of crime or for reasons of public safety. Vale of White Horse District Council is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes. For further information, see or contact the Data Protection Officer, Vale of White Horse District Council, 135 Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB. Please tick the box if you have read and understand the above statements and that all of the above information contained in this application is correct. SIGNATURE LSU officer PRINT NAME: DATE: W A R N I N G: If you knowingly or recklessly make any false statement or omit any material information on this form, you may be prosecuted for an offence and the licence may be refused. PAYMENTS MADE WITH CREDIT CARDS WILL BE CHARGED A FEE Please note that this application can only be accepted with a prior appointment with the licensing team, applications will not be accepted by post. We cannot accept incomplete application forms, such forms will be returned unprocessed. The Licensing Team is happy to try and answer any queries you may have. However, the Licensing Team can only see applicants in person if they have made an appointment. Licensing Team, Vale of White Horse District Council, 135 Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, OX14 4SB Telephone Enquiries: licensing.unit@whitehorsedc.gov.uk Website: V.5 5

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7 CUSTOMER SATISFACTION FEEDBACK As part of our commitment to review and improve our service, we would appreciate you helping us by taking a few minutes of your time to complete the following questionnaire. (This is optional and does not form a requirement in your application process). Name. Telephone no. Address. address.. Please tick one box per statement The officer clearly explained the application process and required documentation prior to my appointment. The officer arranged my appointment quickly and efficiently. Strongly Agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree Not Applicable I felt that my application was treated fairly. I found the officer helpful and I was clear at the close of the appointment what/if any further action was required and the timescales involved. I was happy with the level of customer service I received for my licensing application. Have you experienced any problems during your visit or contact with the Licensing team as a result of your gender, race, disability, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation or gender reassignment? Yes No If Yes, please advise in the additional comments section below Additional comments (please tell us what you found most helpful/unhelpful in your contact with us) V.5 7

8 About you (optional) Please help the Council to make sure its services are accessible for all by answering the questions below. Individual responses will be kept confidential and will have absolutely no bearing on your application. 1. Are you: Male Female 2. How old are you? Are your day to day activities limited because of a health problem or disability which has lasted or is expected to last 12 months or more? (Please include problems related to old age) Yes No If yes, please specify: 4. Do you require any reasonable adjustments made to enable you to complete the Knowledge Test? e.g. dyslexia? Yes No If yes, please specify. What is your ethnic group? PLEASE TICK ONE BOX. 5. White 6. Black or Black British English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Caribbean Irish, British Irish African Gypsy or Irish Traveller Any other Black background Any other white background 8. Asian or Asian British 7. Mixed or multiple ethnic groups Indian White & Black Caribbean Pakistani White & Black African Bangladeshi White & Asian Chinese Any other mixed background Any other Asian background 9. Other ethnic group Arab Other ethnic group (please write in) Thank you, for sparing the time to complete this questionnaire V.5 8

9 GUIDANCE FOR HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS Applying for a New Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers Licence A Licensed Hackney Carriage or a Private Hire driver is in a position of great responsibility, you are entrusted with the safety of your passengers, and you will often be working with young children and vulnerable adults and very often will be the first impression of the district many visitors receive upon arrival. It is for these reasons and many more that all licensed drivers are required to undergo an extensive approval process by the council as the Licensing Authority before they can be allowed to transport the fare paying public. You will need to apply for a Disclosure and Barring service form (formerly known as Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure) and you must have held a full UK/EU Drivers Licence for at least 12 months. You must also undertake a DVLA Group 2 standard Medical Examination completed by your GP, a doctor at your registered medical practice or a consultant with the benefit of access to your medical records. You can obtain all the forms required by visiting our website Please contact the Licensing Team for a Disclosure and Barring Service form on or licensing.unit@whitehorsedc.gov.uk Renewing Your Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver's Licence You must renew your licence every three years. Although the council will make every effort to send you a reminder before your licence expires, it is your responsibility to ensure you make an application to renew your licence before its expiry. An Enhanced DBS check can take 6 weeks to be returned. Please ensure that you allow enough time for your DBS check to be carried out before your licence expires. Once your licence expires, it cannot be renewed and you must apply for a new licence (Including a DBS form, DVLA checks and Medical Examination). Without a valid licence you cannot continue to drive. All licensed drivers must submit a new Disclosure and Barring Service form (formerly known as Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure) and DVLA records every three years. You must also undertake a Medical Examination (DVLA Group 2 standard) with your GP upon reaching the age of 45 years and thereafter every 5 years until you turn 65. From this point on you must undergo a Medical Examination annually upon renewal of your licence. Completing your Application Form When considering your application the council must decide if you meet the statutory test that you are a fit and proper person to hold a licence. For further guidance on fit and proper person please see the council s taxi licensing policy available at our website Key parts of the application process are: an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, a check of your driving licence with DVLA and if necessary a check of court records. If you have a conviction this will be revealed to the council and if it is relevant in relation to being a licensed driver it will be considered by the council. Applicants should note that being a hackney carriage or private hire driver is an exempt profession in relation to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act This means that although a previous conviction may be spent under the Act the council is able to take the matter into account in determining whether or not you are a fit and proper person. It is therefore important that you fill in the application form as accurately and as fully as possible and that you read and fully understand the declarations before signing them. If there are any parts of the form that you do not understand you should contact the licensing team for advice. The contact details V.5 9

10 are given on the application form and at the end of this document. Please note that the application form carries a warning particularly in relation to disclosing previous convictions. Failure to do so will be considered as dishonesty which is part of the criteria considered as to whether or not you are a fit and proper person to hold a licence. Applying for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check Disclosure and Barring Service forms are required from all Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers upon initial application and then every three years. This is an important part of the application procedure required for a position affording this level of trust and responsibility. Please see Guidance for the Completion of DBS Form on how to fill the DBS Form. Whenever you are due to submit a DBS form, you must bring with you documentation to prove your identity and address, please look at the list below for examples of what may be required. Valid Passport Driving Licence (Full UK or EU) Birth Certificate Marriage Certificate Bank / Credit Card / Store Card Statement (Under 3 Months Old) Utility Bill / TV Licence / Council Tax Bill (Under 3 Months Old) If you are using the DBS Update service you must bring your current Enhanced DBS certificate. Applying for DVLA checks DVLA checks are required from all drivers upon initial application. You will be required to sign a mandate for release of information for DVLA. You may also give permission to allow the council to undertake random DVLA checks by providing you National Insurance number. Organising a Medical Examination Before you can be licensed to drive a Hackney Carriage or a Private Hire Vehicle, you must first be declared medically fit to do so. To achieve this you must undertake DVLA Group 2 standard for medical fitness for professional drivers. The examination must be performed either by your own GP, a doctor at your registered medical practice or a consultant with the benefit of access to your medical records. The GP is likely to charge a fee for this service, the cost of which must be met by the applicant and cannot be reimbursed by the council. It is also important to note that there may be a waiting period involved so it is useful to book the examination with plenty of time before your appointment with the Licensing Team. Your medical remains valid until the age of 45 years old (unless there is a change in your medical circumstances, of which you must inform the council). Thereafter a medical must be submitted every 5 years and this becomes an annual requirement at the age of 65. Those with relevant medical conditions will also require an annual examination. More frequent checks will be required if the medical practitioner thinks it is necessary. Fees Fees for the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers licence are broken down as follows: Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver licence V.5 10

11 Knowledge Test (new applicants only) DAT (unless equivalent course has been attended and passed: proof required) DBS fees DVLA Licence Check Please refer to the fees document posted on the council s website for the current fees applicable to each of these. Required Documents For your initial application appointment, you will be required to present the following documents: Full UK or EU Driving Licence. Completed Application Form. Completed Medical Examination Form. Completed and signed mandate for DVLA records check. Disclosure and Barring Service Application Form (Including the required documentation to prove your identification and your address - for more details, see the DBS section above) A letter from your operator on company s headed paper confirming your employment (If you work for an operator) If you have not lived in the UK for a period of more than 3 months since the age of 10, you may be required to produce a letter of good conduct from the embassy or mission of your country/countries of stay. 2 passport size colour photographs You will need all of the above documents when applying for new licence or renewal of your licence and you must return your old badge on renewal. Right to work in the UK You must provide documentary evidence to prove you have right to work in the UK. This can be; One of the original documents listed below: UK passport describing the holder as a British Citizen or a Citizen of the UK and Colonies having the right to abode in the UK. Passport with Certificate of Entitlement, certifying the right to abide in the UK. Passport or National Identity Card issued by the European Economic Area Agreement. A Residence Permit with Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. Passport or travel documents issued by the Home Office confirming the holder has right of residence in the UK as a family member of a named National of the State. Passport or travel document endorsed to show the holder is exempt from Immigration Control. Registration Card showing the holder is entitled to take up employment in the UK. OR, two of the original documents listed below: P45, or P60 or letter from a Government Agency confirming a permanent National Insurance number. Full Birth Certificate. Certification of registration or naturalisation as a British Citizen. Letter from the Home Office showing the holder has been granted indefinite leave to enter and remain in the UK. Immigration Status Document V.5 11

12 Work permit approved by Work Permit UK. Passport to confirm right to enter and work in the UK. If you are unable to prove that you have the right to work in the UK or you have any immigration restrictions which prevent you from being self employed and/or working as a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire driver, the council cannot issue you with a licence. Knowledge Test All new applicants for a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire drivers licence must undergo a thorough knowledge test to ensure their suitability for the role. The test is based around knowledge of the local geography, the Highway Code and hackney carriage and private hire licensing laws and the council s taxi licensing policy. You will be booked onto the next available knowledge test when you attend your appointment to make your application in person. In accordance with current legislation the Licensing Team reserve the right to request any additional information or documentation that they deem necessary to process your application. Please note that we cannot accept incomplete application forms. Such forms will be returned to the applicant unprocessed accompanied by all submitted documents. Licences will not be issued until all enquiries are complete. The Licensing Team is happy to answer any queries you may have. However, we operate an Appointment Only system. If you arrive at the office without an appointment you may not be seen. To book an appointment either to make your application, or just to discuss becoming a licensed driver or licensing a vehicle, please contact us. By Post: Licensing Department Legal and Democratic Services Vale of White Horse District Council 135 Eastern Avenue Milton Park Abingdon OX14 4SB Telephone Enquiries: licensing.unit@whitehorsedc.gov.uk V.5 12