New council policy requires taxi and PHV drivers to prove their English language proficiency

Image credit: Dan Gold-Unsplash

New applicants and those taxi and private hire drivers renewing their licences with Oadby & Wigston Borough Council will now have to prove that they are sufficiently proficient in the use of the English language to obtain a licence.

A new policy, agreed by the licensing committee, confirms that a requirement for English verbal and written proficiency will need to be met for all drivers where English is not their first language.

The Policy requires evidence of an English test up to level 2 to be provided with every application submitted. The council has said that the purpose of the English Level 2 qualification is to prepare the learner for work, study and life. Learners who achieve this qualification will demonstrate the ability to read, write, speak, listen and communicate in English.

In addition to the new language tests, mandatory requirement for regular Safeguarding and County Lines training is to be undertaken too.

Other new features of the updated policy include DBS checks where drivers will be required to subscribe to the updating service and provide the Council access to the records.

Persons who work for operators will be required to undertake a DBS through the operator’s licence and a register of operatives is required to be sent to the Council and maintained.

The “fit and proper person” test has been updated and the offences restricting the ability of persons to operate within the taxi industry have been tightened.

Provision of CCTV and applicable use within taxis is also addressed. The Council is not currently advocating the comprehensive installation of CCTV cameras within this Policy amendment. However, the policy does permit the use of CCTV should drivers or operators wish to install it.

The age of vehicles on new application will be lowered from 5 to 4 years of age. This will not be brought into action until 1 April 2022.

Controls will now be put in place on vehicle emissions to ensure the Council meets its environmental agenda. The age limit for renewal vehicles on application will reduce in line with the schedule below:

• Vehicles to be renewed from 1 April 2022 must be no older than 10 years

• Vehicles to be renewed from 1 April 2023 must be no older than 9 years

• Vehicles to be renewed from 1 April 2024 must be no older than 8 years

• Vehicles to be renewed from 1 April 2025 must be no older than 7 years

• Vehicles to be renewed from 1 April 2026 must be no older than 6 years.

Ultra-Low emissions vehicles will be exempt from the age policy after 1 April 2022 and will be licenced up to 10 years of age. Applications will also have a 15% reduction on the regular vehicle application fee.

Wheel chair accessible vehicles will be exempt from the age policy after 1 April 2022 and will be licenced up to 10 years of age. Applications will also have a 25% reduction on the regular vehicle application fee.

Further government guidance was received prior to the Committee and has been incorporated into the Policy. From 1 April 2022, the Council will be required to signpost first-time applicants to HMRC guidance about their potential tax obligations and obtain confirmation that the applicant is aware of the guidance before considering the application.

Where the application is not a first-time application (a renewed application) the licensing body must, before considering the application, obtain confirmation from HMRC that the applicant has completed a tax check.