Issue - meetings

To consider proposed changes to the testing arrangements for applicants for Joint Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licences.

The Committee considered a report regarding proposed changes to the testing of applicants for joint Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licences.

During the course of research, it had become evident that many Licensing Authorities required applicants for driver licences to undergo a more formal testing process than that in place in Cheshire East, including the attainment of a national accredited and recognised qualification.

RESOLVED

(a)       That all applications for the grant of a Joint Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licence received with effect from 1 July 2013 be accompanied by a Certificate confirming that the applicant has passed the BTEC Level 2 Certificate in the introduction to the role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver.

(b)       That any application received prior to 1 July 2013 be processed in accordance with existing procedures.

(c)       That the Licensing Team Leader be granted delegated authority to agree and sign Service Level Agreements with the relevant colleges and set out how the application process would work in practice.

(d)       That the Licensing Team Leader be requested to investigate the feasibility of conducting physical assessments of applicants’ driving skills and encouraging or requiring all licensed drivers to undertake the NVQ Certificate in Road Passenger Vehicle driving (Taxi and Private Hire Driver).