Yeovil Town Council has been granted delegated authority to carry out various licensing functions on behalf of South Somerset District Council (SSDC). These include the administration of taxi (also known as hackney carriage) and private hire licensing.
Anyone interested in applying for a licence is welcome to pop into the Town Council's Offices for advice, or to ring Gill Tomlinson - Licensing Administrator on 01935 382424.
Set out below is information to assist with applications for hackney carriage and private hire drivers' licences and the licensing of private hire and hackney carriage vehicles.
Taxi Licensing Policy and Guidance
This key document sets out the policies and arrangements that have been put in place by the Licensing Authority to ensure that hackney carriage and private hire services are delivered to a high standard. It also includes useful guidance. All applicants are urged to read this important document before they apply for a licence.
Click here to view the policy.
Drivers
A knowledge test was introduced from 15 May 2014. All applicants who have not submitted a completed application as of 15 May will be required to pass the knowledge test before a licence is issued. All existing badged drivers will also have to pass the test within 24 months from 7 November 2014.
The Knowledge test will test your knowledge of the Highway Code, Signage, Numeracy, Cabology and local directions of the whole of the administrative area of South Somerset - including Yeovil. In order to prepare for the Knowledge test, applicants may find the following websites and documents of assistance:
The Highway Code
Discover South Somerset
Knowledge Test Example Questions
Yeovil Town Guide
All persons driving a licensed private hire or hackney carriage vehicle must be in possession of a current private hire and hackney carriage driver's licence issued on behalf of SSDC. The Council issued driver's badges allow the holder to work in both capacities both as a hackney carriage and/or private hire driver.
A hackney carriage/private hire driver may only be granted a drivers badge if he/she has held a driving licence for at least 12 months prior to application.
Please note
An SSDC/YTC badged driver can only drive a South Somerset District Council plated vehicle. Once an SSDC/YTC driver's badge is issued, it does not authorise or permit you to drive vehicles plated with any other authority, to do so is an offence. The maximum fine for this offence is £1000. SSDC will seek to prosecute any offences of this nature.
Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly Criminal Records Bureau)
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application will be applied for on first application for a driver's licence and every three years thereafter. The outcome of this check will be used to help the Town Council decide whether you are a "fit and proper person" to be granted a licence.
Medical
All new drivers will require a medical examination in line with the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency (DVLA) medical standards.
The applicant may wish for their own medical practitioner to carry out the examination, or you can make an appointment with the Council contracted medical practice through:
The Medical Secretary, Penn Hill Surgery, St Nicholas Close, Yeovil. Tel: 01935 470800.
The applicant will provide the medical practitioner with a copy Medical Examination Report (supplied by the Town Council) and the medical practitioner will fill this in during the appointment. The applicant will then need to submit the completed report with the completed driver's licence application to the Town Council.
The cost of the medical examination with the Town Council's contracted medical practice is £90, there will be a charge of £30 for any missed appointments. No refunds will be provided by the surgery in any circumstances. The cost at your own medical practice may differ.
Driving Standards Agency test
Driving Standards Agency (DSA) private hire and hackney carriage assessments are carried out as part of the application process.
All new applicants for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers licences will need to pass the DSA Private Hire and Hackney Carriage assessment test (or equivalent).
The SSDC Taxi Assessment Test has been designed to be the equivalent of the DSA assessment test. Please contact the Town Council for information on 01935 382424.
The DSA or equivalent is for new drivers only or drivers that have been before the Licensing Committee and been directed to take a test as the result of a complaint against them.
DSA Tests are to be booked by the applicant directly with the Driving Standards Agency and may be taken at Taunton, Yeovil, Dorchester or Weymouth.
Hackney carriage vehicle licence
A hackney carriage vehicle licence (white plate) entitles the holder to work anywhere in the administrative area of South Somerset (including Yeovil). They may work from the ranks or be hailed on the street. The holder is also entitled to undertake private hire work.
Private hire vehicle licence
A private hire vehicle licence (yellow plate) entitles the holder to work anywhere in the administrative area of South Somerset (including Yeovil) taking pre-arranged bookings only. Private hire vehicles may not work from the ranks or be hailed on the street. All private hire vehicles must also work under a 'Private Hire Operator's licence'. However an operators' licence is not necessary if you are operating a hackney carriage.
Planning permission
When you apply for a private hire vehicle licence then you must apply for a private hire operator's licence at the same time. Without a private hire operator's licence you will not be issued a private hire vehicle licence.
The use of premises for the operation of private hire vehicles may be subject to control by the Planning Authority (SSDC) and such use may require planning permission or other consents. Applicants need to satisfy themselves that any necessary permissions and consents are obtained before any operations begin.
A private hire operator's licence can be purchased for a three-year period.
Operator's licences are not needed to run a hackney carriage vehicle service.
Vehicle specification
Certain vehicles, are, due to the size and/or design unsuitable for licensing. Please check the suitability of the vehicle you have in mind, with the Town Council before purchase. The vehicle must be in a clean and undamaged condition.
The seating capacity of the vehicle will depend on the width of the seats. A minimum of 407mm (16 inches) per person is required. If the size of the vehicle does not allow for the carriage of 4 persons (excluding the driver) the vehicle will not be licensed. The maximum number of passengers, which may be carried in a licensed hackney or private hire vehicle, is 8 persons.
The vehicle must have four doors for easy access.
Please refer to Best practice guide for the inspection of hackney carriage and private hire vehicles.
Taxi licensing application forms
Further advice on applying for a taxi licence along with all the necessary application forms are available on request from the Town House. Please ring 01935 382424 or click here to request an Application Pack.