What's New in Licensing

The Licensing Team for Chester City Council is constantly working to improve both the services we offer and and the safeguards put in place to ensure the public are safe when dealing with licensed individuals and organisations.

Keep checking this page to be kept up to date with any changes that are being introduced both on a national and local level. If you would like more information on any of the topics below, please feel free to contact a member of the Licensing Team on 01244 402 138 or 402 300.

July 2008 - The Licensing Team Have Moved

On Monday the 7th July the Licensing Team moved to the 1st floor of the Forum Offices. Anyone wishing to see a member of the team can come to the main reception desk where you will be directed to the Licensing Offices. However please remember that we operate an appointments only system so please ring in advance to avoid dissapointment.

July 2008 - Delimitation of Hackney Carriages

Since the Second World War, Chester has limited the number of Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence we issue periodically increasing the number to meet the demands of the district.

On Thursday 17th July 2008; The Executive for Chester City Council voted to accept the recommendations of the Licensing Board meeting of the 15th April 2008.

The decision was that the restrictions currently in place on Hackney carriage vehicle numbers be
removed, with the requirement that new licences only be granted to applicants who
propose to licence a new (at the time of registration) purpose built wheelchair
accessible vehicle of a design and manufacture that is approved by the Licensing
Authority. 

April 2008 - Vehicle Inspection Reminder

The Licensing Team would like to remind Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Vehicle owners that the City Council Vehicle Inspections must be completed less than a month before you renew your Vehicle Licence. We have regrettably been forced to insist that several vehicle owners retest their vehicles as the test had been performed more than a month prior to their appointment. The Vehicle Inspections are designed to prove a vehicles suitability for Licensing, if more than a month passes; the safety of the vehicle can no longer be guaranteed.

Please bear this in mind when arranging your vehicle inspection, otherwise you may have to pay to have your vehicle inspected once again.

April 2008 - New Qualification for Private Hire & Hackney Drivers

A new qualification is soon to become available; The "National Vocational Qualification Level 2 in Road Passenger Transport" will shortly be rolled-out nationwide and will be offered to anyone involved in the passenger transportation industry.

This is the first time that there has been an opportunity for members of the Private Hire or Hackney Carriage industry to obtain a nationally recognised qualification. It is hoped that this qualification will be seen as a step forward in the recognition of the work and the professional standards that a majority of trade within the district work to.

The course will usually be run at a local college however other locations may be considered if enough people would find this more convenient. There are a number of modules covering a wide range of topics that drivers and operators may find beneficial to their everyday work. These include:

• Health and safety
• Providing professional customer care
• Effective working relationships with colleagues
• Legislation and regulations (Taxi & Private hire)

as well as practical aspects such as:

• Dealing effectively with difficult customers
• Transportation of passengers with special needs
• Safe driving and hazard perception

For anyone interested in the advantages of this course, which in most cases will be provided free of charge (subject to some conditions), it will be run over the equivalent of 5 days and can be completed over a flexible period of time to suit the individual. Candidates are assessed on their learning within the classroom as well as workplace assessments.

For more information regarding this exciting qualification, please contact a member of the Licensing Team.

4th March 2008 - Private Hire Knowledge Test

As of 4th March 2008, applicants for a new Private Hire Driver's Licence will be subject to a knowledge test. This will be a dual purpose test that will test for the following:

• You must prove that you have a working knowledge of the law for Private Hire Drivers.
• You must demonstrate that you are familiar with the local area and be able to plot the quickest route to your customers destination.

The knowledge test will be a multiple choice test and will last approximately 45 minutes. Speak to a member of the Licensing Team when making your application to book your test date.

28th January 2008 - Repeal of Section 75

As of 28th January 2008; Section 75 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, commonly known as the 'Contract Exemption Clause', has been repealed. This has come about a sa result of the Road Safety Act of 2006 in order to "introduce safety checks into a previously unregulated form of public transport".

This section previously allowed Chauffeur companies operating Hire & Reward services by way of a contract (in place for more than 7 days) to do so without need of a Private Hire Licence.

With the repeal of this exemption, all Chauffeur companies and other similar companies operating any form of Hire & Reward service must be licensed by the appropriate Local Authority for the area. Any person undertaking Hire & Reward services without the appropriate licence will be committing an offence and could face prosecution.

7th January 2008 - The New Statement of Licensing Policy

As part of the Licensing Act 2003 the Council were required to produce a Statement of Licensing Policy, this was adopted in January 2005.  Under the terms of the Licensing Act 2003 this policy must be reviewed every three years.  Chester City Council has therefore, now released its new Licensing Policy.  To view the updated Police, or to access more information, please click the link below.

New Statement of Licensing Policy (January 2008) (608kb)

9th October 2007 - New Conditions for Specialist Vehicles (Limousines etc)

On the 9th October 2007, the Licensing Board for Chester City Council approved a new set of conditions designed to allow the licensing of specialist vehicles such as limousines. The new conditions were deisgned in apprehention of the repeal of Section 75 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (see above) that may have previously exempted those companies using limousines.

9th October 2007 - New Conditions for Chauffeur Companies (Exempt from Plates)

On the 9th October 2007, the Licensing Board for Chester City Council approved a new set of conditions designed to allow vehicles used by Chauffeur-like companies to be exempt from the need to display the standard Private Hire Vehicle plates on their vehicles. The 'Exempt' vehicles will be allowed to display a discreet sticker instead of the standard plates. Those vehicles granted 'Exempt' status will generally be of high quality and value and will only be able to work under Contracts and in accordance with specific conditions. This will enable these companies to continue to operate as they have prior to the repeal of Section 75 (see above).