Taxi drivers must not wear caps, sports shorts or unclean footwear says North Herts District Council

North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) currently list a number of items of clothing which are not permitted to be worn by taxi or private hire drivers licensed by the council.

The council say they believe that licensed drivers have a responsibility to dress professionally and appropriately whilst undertaking hackney carriage or private hire work to promote confidence amongst members of the public, especially visitors to the district.

The following are deemed to be unacceptable standards of dress for a licensed driver and are not to be worn:

(i) bare chests,

(ii) clothing or footwear which is unclean or damaged,

(iii) clothing printed with wording, logos or graphics which may offend,

(iv) sports shirts e.g. football, rugby or cricket tops, or track suits,

(v) footwear that prevents the safe operation of the vehicle,

(vi) headgear such as baseball caps, or any headgear that partially or completely conceals the

face or the identity of the driver

(vii) any shorts, other than smart tailored shorts.

The council say the list “is not exhaustive and Authorised Officers will assess whether standards of dress are acceptable. If an Authorised Officer deems a driver’s standard of dress to be unacceptable, the decision will have effect as though it were included in the above list”.

NHDC are currently considering a number of new policies or changes to current policies in the hackney carriage and private hire sector.

Among possible changes, taxi drivers who do not have an electric vehicle could see restrictions put on them with regard to which ranks they will be allowed to ply for hire on.

The council are considering the introduction of new town centre ranks which would see only the most environmentally friendly vehicles granted access.

NHDC are proposing one of the following three changes to existing or future taxi ranks in the town centre:

OPTION ONE - The council will seek to establish new hackney carriage ranks in town centres that will be limited to use by electric vehicles only; these ranks will have electric charging facilities. All other hackney carriages will have to use the existing hackney carriage ranks or park away from the town centre other than collecting pre-booked customers.

Private hire vehicles will only be permitted in the town centres to collect pre-booked customers.

OPTION TWO - The council will seek to establish new hackney carriage ranks in town centres that will be limited to use by electric or hybrid vehicles only; these ranks will have electric charging facilities. All other hackney carriages will have to use the existing hackney carriage ranks or park away from the town centre other than collecting pre-booked customers.

Private hire vehicles will only be permitted in the town centres to collect pre-booked customers.

OPTION THREE - The council will seek to establish new hackney carriage ranks in town centres that will be limited to use by electric, hybrid or ultra-low emission (uLEV) vehicles only; these ranks will have electric charging facilities. All other hackney carriages will have to use the existing hackney carriage ranks or park away from the town centre other than collecting pre-booked customers.

Private hire vehicles will only be permitted in the town centres to collect pre-booked customers.

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