New rules aimed at making taxis in Darlington safer have been proposed.
Under changes suggested by Darlington Borough Council, drivers would be required to install CCTV cameras inside vehicles and conduct enhanced vehicle testing and checks.
The introduction of mandatory disability awareness training, improved signage, and more payment methods have also been suggested by the local authority.
Changes to the council’s taxi policy were last made in 2022, as the trade struggled to recover from the financial effects of COVID-19. Then, vehicle age restrictions and the requirement for private hire drivers to take a topographical test were removed.
Taxi firm owners and drivers have also been asked for their thoughts on introducing a system which would allow minor breaches of rules to be recorded and considered in context.
A council statement read: “In November 2023, the Department for Transport revised its non-statutory Best Practice Guide, and this review will consider recommendations from the guide that have not already been incorporated into the policy.
“What is currently being considered for inclusion is not an exhaustive list, and there may be additional issues you would like to raise for inclusion.”
What is currently being considered for inclusion:
- Disability awareness training for all drivers
- Inside vehicle CCTV recording – to consider a mandatory requirement in all vehicles
- Payment methods – all drivers to provide customers with the option of payment by card
- Vehicle testing – remove the requirement for six-monthly vehicle testing and replace it with an annual test for vehicles under 3 years old
- Daily vehicle checks – mandatory checks of the vehicle by the driver before the commencement of each working day, which are recorded and retained for inspection
- Signage – private hire vehicles to have signs on the front passenger door with wording similar to ‘Private Hire Pre-Booked Only’ and vehicle number
- Points-based system – allows minor breaches of rules to be recorded and considered in context. This is NOT an endorsement points system placed on a motorist’s driving licence.
- Remove the requirement to carry a fire extinguisher
The consultation ends on 10 August: https://www.darlington.gov.uk/media/uvxjliq5/taxi-policy-q.pdf
