This has included enforcement officers being given the authority to operate lawfully in other licensing districts across the region. More than 1200 driver-partners are ready to transport you. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Funded as part of the councils direct response to the COVID-19 crisis, the free three-year licence renewals will be worth 450 to most taxi and private hire drivers. If you're struggling to pay higher energy bills; you may be eligible for a 400 payment through the Council's Energy Crisis Support Scheme. Millions of passengers use our taxi and private hire services each year because we have more available vehicles than anyone else. 6. It does not store any personal data. Driver Licence (over 65's medical requirements) renewal of a annual licence until DBS, DVLA checks required) 95.00 (Payment over the phone only). 04/11/2015. Request a medical exemption. The results of that consultation were reported back to all councils with all councils adopting the policy during 2019/2020. The taxi and private hire licensing trade raised some concerns regarding the proposals for how minor motoring convictions would be considered, and councillors in Leeds agreed to pause the implementation of that part of the . In addition, many people especially those with mobility needs or a disability rely on taxis and private hire vehicles to get around. New Hackney Carriage (Taxi) Driver licence. Calls are handled by the same friendly staff, and taxi bookings are completed by the same local driver-partners. Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: The pandemic has had a major impact on people working in many different sectors across Leeds, with taxi and private hire drivers among those most seriously affected. The council said it had listened to feedback and had watered down a tougher plan which would have meant drivers with seven points automatically had their badges revoked. with a small number of additions for Leeds. Book a taxi in Leeds with Wheels Private Hire and Amber Cars. Official local authority website for Leeds providing information on local services. This training is aimed at educating drivers to help avoid misunderstandings and help them identify any potential issues whilst carrying out their day to day job. This procedure outlines how you can complain to us about the services we provide or the drivers and operators we license. Open now Closes at 24:00. Call us now. Our cross council safeguarding group, which includes representatives from the citys adult and childrens safeguarding boards, has been closely involved in developing our new policies and procedures. For any new applications for a taxi and private hire drivers' licence, licenses will not be granted if the driver has already accrued seven or more points for minor motoring convictions. However when the applicant is new to the UK there is often not enough information available about the applicant to allow a proportionate assessment to be made based on a DBS disclosure. Read the taxi and private hire licensing policy Coronavirus I believe the proposal we have recommended to executive board strikes the right balance between protecting the travelling public and proactively supporting the taxi and private hire trade across Leeds, through the introduction of additional training and the consideration of cases on individual basis at the nine-point threshold. Taxi drivers have previously held a strike over the proposed changes. 0 Comments Automatically updated monthly from 24/11/2016 Previous manual versions still available. If you are required to attend an interview under caution with licensing officers contact us. The board will also hear about new policies which have been introduced to help strengthen the ability of the councils licensing team to protect the travelling public, by reducing the risk of unacceptable applicants from obtaining licenses and to take action when any issues with existing license holders arise. Taxis. Amber Cars is one of the largest private hire operators in Leeds, UK. Kingsley Brookes Solicitors may be able to help you. The controversial policy was introduced across West Yorkshire in February 2020 but a number . Currently it is acceptable for an applicant to provide a certificate of good character which can take a variety of forms and is often difficult to verify by licensing staff. All Rights Reserved Read about our approach to external linking. For Private Hire Executive vehicle licence applications, this certification must be produced at the time of application. For any new applications for a taxi and private hire drivers licence, applications would not be granted if the driver has already accrued seven or more points. Currently, action would only be taken if the driver had 12 points. Amber Cars is a registered company in England. Leeds has also introduced additional conditions for private hire operators to help monitor out of town Hackney Carriages working in the city, which has been a significant concern since national deregulation was introduced last year. In considering our next steps it will be important toachieve the right balance between ensuring public safety in line with the Institute of Licensing framework whilst proactively supporting the taxi and private hire trade in Leeds. The Council is making 2.5million available to fund free three-year taxi and private hire license renewals for drivers, while drivers and operators with a Leeds business address will also be able to apply for 500 grants following the reopening later this month of a coronavirus support scheme for businesses with low fixed property costs. Licensing Regulation and Charging Applicants should be due to renew their Leeds licence between March 1 this year and March 31 next year and must also meet the councils current licensing standards. To contact us about a licensed taxi or private hire driver or operator: call us on 0343 222 4000 (09:00 - 17:00, Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays). Leeds City Council Communications team Search the site. For further information about these free renewals, visit https://www.leeds.gov.uk/business/licensing/taxi-and-private-hire-licensing/free-driver-licensing. Local transport. That work will include a scheme of shared delegated powers across York and all West Yorkshire authorities to enable Licensing and Enforcement Officers to carry out inspections and suspension powers on vehicles licensed by any of these authorities. As a taxi or private hire customer, applicant or licensee there are several ways you can contact us. This is why it is prudent to regularly review our safeguarding policies and ensure we have robust checks in place when issuing and renewing licenses. Find current taxi and private hire licensing costs. Leeds ' largest private hire company 5 Endeavour Square Taxi and private hire licensing. Licensing Leeds.gov.UK Dear Sir/ Madam Private Hire Vehicle License . Licensing Regulation and Charging Link to the data Format File added Data preview; Download Automated dataset publication , Format: BIN, Dataset: Taxi and private hire licences - total number: BIN 24 November 2018 Not available: Download 04/11/2015 , Format: CSV, Dataset: Taxi and private hire licences - total number: CSV 24 November 2018 Taxi and private hire drivers and operators with a Leeds business address will also be able to apply for 500 grants following the reopening later this month of a coronavirus support scheme for businesses with low fixed property costs. Owners who bought an eligible vehicle on or after February 28, 2020 can apply for a transitional grant worth 2,100. The guidance states that applicants with multiple motoring convictions may indicate that the driver does not exhibit the behaviours of a safe road user or one that is suitable to drive professionally. Leeds City Council delivers multi-million pound boost for taxi and private hire trade, https://www.leeds.gov.uk/business/licensing/taxi-and-private-hire-licensing/free-driver-licensing, https://www.leeds.gov.uk/business/licensing/taxi-and-private-hire-licensing/financial-support-overview. 2023 BBC. We have also been working for some time alongside York and all other authorities in West Yorkshire to establish a series of common licensing standards that will mitigate any potential impact of the new deregulation rules and ensure we have a common approach to safeguarding and public safety across our region.. Hillcrest House (Leeds), LS9 6NF, 386 Harehills Lane, LEEDS, . Last updated 13 July 2022 + show all updates. The councils executive board will next week hear about the progress which has been made to further strengthen these arrangements, two years after this was first agreed. Office Number: (0113) 249 9999. result in your appeal being refused. The PCO Licence, also known as the Private Hire Driver Licence, allows you to work as a minicab driver or chauffer, including working as an Uber driver. Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council deputy leader, said the final plan addresses drivers' concerns but would also improve public safety. Published 6 August 2013. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. To contact us about licensing or any other element of our service: There is information available about the types of licensing queries you can contact us about. Taxi and private hire drivers and operators with a Leeds business address will also be able to apply for 500 grants . We make getting your PCO licence a simple, stress-free process . In a separate move, unrelated to the councils pandemic response, grants are on offer to taxi and private hire vehicle owners who have switched to low emission vehicles. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Licensing & Registration Services Taxi and Private Hire Licensing 225 York Road Leeds, LS9 7RY Tel: 0113 3781570 taxiprivatehire. However, the council is reviewing its policy on minor motoring convictions due to statutory guidance issued by the Department of Transport. Sheffield Council is offering a number of grants and loans, using Government funding, so drivers can upgrade their vehicles and avoid paying the penalty. The General Manager will conduct a final review, usually within 10 working days, and a response will be issued outlining our final position. E20 1JN. Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHDL: 485Total estimated time to obtain a PHDL: 28 Weeks, Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHVL: 240Total estimated time to obtain a PHVL: 1 Week, Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHDL: 350Total estimated time to obtain a PHDL: 12 Weeks, Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHVL: 188Total estimated time to obtain a PHVL: 2 Weeks, Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHDL: 450Total estimated time to obtain a PHDL: 12 Weeks, Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHVL: 237Total estimated time to obtain a PHVL: 1 Week, Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHDL: 495Total estimated time to obtain a PHDL: 15 Weeks, Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHVL: 291Total estimated time to obtain a PHVL: 4 Weeks, Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHDL: 301Total estimated time to obtain a PHDL: 10 Weeks, Total estimated cost of obtaining a PHVL: 232Total estimated time to obtain a PHVL: 2 Weeks. Our cross council safeguarding group, which includes representatives from the citys adult and childrens safeguarding boards, has been closely involved in developing our new policies and procedures. "This will affect drivers mentally, financially and in other ways and it's wrong.". Leeds City Council Communications team They would be able to continue working and could still renew their licence. Thank you. Of these, officers considered it appropriate to revoke the licences of five drivers, with the remainder requiring formal warnings or additional training. E20 1JN. The recommendations of the licensing committee will now be considered for adoption at the next meeting of Leeds City Councils executive board on September 21.