Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report regarding a proposal for the redesign and implementation of private hire door signs.

Members were informed that the strategic objective for Oldham Council regarding taxi licensing is to ensure safe passenger journeys in safe licensed vehicles with safe licensed drivers. The Licensing Service has received feedback as part of a recent consultation on the use and practicalities of the existing requirements around private hire door signs. Several suggestions were put forward as part of the responses to the consultation, and the Licensing Service have reviewed each response and given them due consideration before putting this proposal before Members.

The report informed Members of the existing requirements that all private hire vehicles must display mandatory door signs. The signs must contain the words “Advance Bookings Only”, the letters must be block capitals, in the colour black, on a yellow background. Each letter must be at least 60mm high and 6mm wide. The door sign must include the name and contact information of the private hire operator company, and the words “Private Hire”. Any other lettering on the sign must be under 50mm high and 5mm wide, can be any colour but must not have a yellow background. The overall size of the door sign must be a minimum of 200mm wide and 600mm high The. mandatory door signs must be permanently displayed on the top half of the front driver and passenger door panels by way of adhesive, rather than magnetic means. These signs must always be in place whilst the vehicle is licensed.

The proposed requirements were that all private hire vehicles must display mandatory door signs. The signs must be permanently displayed on the top half of the rear passenger doors of the vehicle. These signs must always be in place whilst the vehicle is licensed. The door signs will be issued by the Council and will display the following wording: Private Hire Vehicle – Not Insured Unless Pre-Booked with the Operator. A proposed design for the sign  for was attached at Appendix 14.1 to the report.

A reference was made to the current yellow background with black writing on doors which helped those with sight needs.

It was also suggested that details of the taxi operator should be displayed on the passenger side of the front windscreen.

Members were advised that a sign with a yellow background with black writing in the format set out in Appendix 14.1 to the report, together with a revised sign including the operator name for the offside front passenger window as suggested could be emailed to Members for their consideration.

After discussion it was

RESOLVED: that

1.         The Principal Licensing Officer send all members of the Committee an example of a sign with a yellow background with black writing in the format set out in Appendix 14.1 to the report and a proposed sign including the private hire operator name for display in the passenger side of the front windscreen for their consideration; and

2.         Subject to no objection to the proposed signs by members of the Committee being received by the Principal Licensing Officer, approval be given to the design of the 2 signs and they be introduced for use on private hire vehicles.