Taxis/private hire vehicles
Case reference FOI2023/00015
Published 9 January 2024
Request
I am endeavoring to try and establish some numbers on, 1. How many licensed taxis & private hire vehicles are there within your council district? 1. How many ad-hoc spot checks by licensing officers have been carried out on licensed vehicles in the past 12 months? (Not to include MOT checks, just roadside/spot checks) 1. Out of the checked licensed vehicles, how many failed at the roadside? 2. Are there any current requirements for drivers to do regular vehicle checks (daily/weekly) and store data for inspection? What I am trying to ascertain, is if there is a possibility to develop a new product that would enhance the industry to make it safer. Working with a small IT team we are trying to develop a new driver reporting app, that requires the driver of each licensed vehicle to do a regular vehicle check (daily, weekly or monthly, to be decided by individual councils). The information we are seeking would greatly help us to understand more about how each council manages the safety of licensed taxi & private hire vehicles and how we may be able to help improve the services. Could I make an official request for the information as outlined above?
Response
I am endeavoring to try and establish some numbers on,
1. How many licensed taxis & private hire vehicles are there within your council district?
We currently have 107 Hackney Carriages vehicles (regulated number) and 637 Private Hire Vehicles licensed with us.
1. How many ad-hoc spot checks by licensing officers have been carried out on licensed vehicles in the past 12 months?
(Not to include MOT checks, just roadside/spot checks)
We do not hold this information on our system. We only hold a record of non-compliance.
1. Out of the checked licensed vehicles, how many failed at the roadside?
We only hold a record of non-compliance - we had 23 occasions within the last year, when officers found breach of license conditions (plate not displayed etc) during operations.
2. Are there any current requirements for drivers to do regular vehicle checks (daily/weekly) and store data for inspection?
There are no requirements for drivers to do regular specific checks on the vehicle, but the following is a condition of fitness attached to a vehicle license.
At all times, the vehicle should be maintained in exceptional condition. The bodywork should be kept in a clean condition and the interior, including the floor, seats and any covers must be in good condition, clean and tidy. Any damage caused to the vehicle materially affecting its safety performance or appearance must be notified to the Licensing Office within 72 hours.
Documents
This is Oxford City Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
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