TranslateTaxi and Private Hire Car Vehicle Approval Specification under Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, Sections 10(2) and 10(5) with effect from 16 May 2018
This applies to both types of hire car ("Taxis" and "Private Hire Cars") except where stated.
It takes into account Licensing Committee decisions, including those of on 23 March 2010, 7 December 2011, 22 August 2012, 25 May 2016, 28 September 2016 and 16 May 2018.
Any vehicle which meets this Specification will be accepted as meeting the "suitability" test required by Sections 10(2) and 10(5).
If a person wants to license a vehicle which does not meet this Specification:
- the request will be referred to the Licensing Committee;
- the use of the proposed vehicle under the Licence is not permitted unless and until the Licensing Committee approve that use;
- the Applicant should give the Committee pictures and specifications published by the manufacturer, and the proposed vehicle (or an example of the type) should be available for inspection at the Council Headquarters in Irvine by the Committee or their staff if they request it.
This Specification does not affect the status of any vehicle which is already covered by a Licence while it is used under that Licence (apart from the Inspection Timetable).
It is a condition of any Licence granted that the vehicle will at all times be used according to this Specification.
Inspection timetable
1. The age of a vehicle is counted from the "Date of First Registration" (see the V5 document).
2. The vehicle must be under the age of 8 years when first Licensed by North Ayrshire Council. Once a vehicle reaches 8 years old, counted from the "Date of First Registration", it cannot be added to a Licence (whether at the stage of Grant, or on later substitution, or otherwise). If a vehicle has already been Licensed before reaching that age, it can continue to be used as long as it passes the 6-monthly mechanical checks carried out at the NAC garage;
3. Any vehicle, of any age, must get regular mechanical inspection checks at the NAC garage: (a) if the vehicle is less than 5 years old, the inspection is to be no more than 12 months since the last inspection (except for the first inspection, which is to be no more than 12 months since the inspection which was carried out as part of the Licence Application process);( b) if the vehicle is 5 years or more old, the inspection is to be no more than 6 months since the last inspection.
Engine output
4. The minimum engine size must be suitable in the opinion of the Licensing Authority for the role as Taxi and Private Hire Car and must meet the original manufacturer’s specification.
Vehicle size
5. Number of doors - four (not counting any hatchback).
6. Width of rear seat - minimum of 122 centimetres (about 48 inches).
7. Luggage compartment - minimum 0.3115 cubic meters (about 11 cubic feet).
8. Seating capacity - minimum of 4 persons, maximum of 8 persons (in each case excluding the driver).
Use during hire
9. During hire, estate cars must operate only: (a) while fitted with a safety grille behind the rear seats; and (b) while the rear seats are vertical and locked.
10. During hire, hatchbacks must operate only while the rear seats are vertical and locked.
Wheelchair accessible vehicles
11. If the vehicle is to be used on a Licence: (a) which was granted on or after 1st October 2016, or (b) which was granted before that date in 2016 and required the use of a "Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle" (WAV), Paragraph 12 applies.
12. If Paragraph 11 applies: (a) the vehicle must be Wheelchair Accessible (either side-loading or rear loading); (b) the vehicle must be fitted with a lifting mechanism which can raise an occupied wheelchair from ground level without requiring it to be pushed by the driver or anyone else; (c) the vehicle must have a means of securing the wheelchair against movement once in the vehicle; (d) the vehicle must have at least one other passenger seat; (e) the wheelchair must face the vehicle's direction of travel; and (f) the wheelchair compartment must be glazed on 3 sides.