Taxi Driver's Code of Conduct - Consultation
Driving
- You must comply with all road traffic regulations at all times.
- You must comply with all legislation and conditions relating to the Hackney Carriage or private hire vehicle that you are driving at all times. Those conditions are available on the Council’s website.
- You must not use a hand-held mobile telephone or any other handheld device (apart from a two-way radio) whilst driving. In addition, you must not use any non-handheld device unless it is entirely voice activated.
- You must not sound your vehicle horn –
- unnecessarily, i.e. unless in an emergency or to let other road users or pedestrians know you are there
- when your vehicle is stationary on a road, at any time, other than at times of danger due to another moving vehicle on or near the road
- on any road in a built-up area between 11.30 p.m. and 7.00 am.
- Your vehicle horn must not be used to signal your arrival to collect any pre-booked passenger.
- You must not drive any Hackney Carriage or private hire vehicle in a dangerous or inconsiderate manner and in addition to complying with all road traffic regulations you must ensure that your driving and behaviour on the road is of the highest standard.
- When parking, or otherwise waiting for either a hiring (Hackney Carriage), a booking to be communicated to you (private hire and Hackney Carriage) or attending for a pre-booked hiring (private hire and Hackney Carriage) you must ensure that you do not obstruct other road users including pedestrians on pavements and in pedestrianised streets. You must also ensure that you do not block vehicle entrances or any emergency exits for buildings. You must also comply with parking and waiting restrictions (if any).
- When stopping to set passengers down you must do so in a manner which minimises the risk to those passengers as they alight from the vehicle. You must warn passengers clearly of any unusual or unexpected dangers within the vicinity.
- When driving a Hackney Carriage, you must not demand a fare greater than that shown on the meter for a journey within the Council’s area. Where a journey ends outside the Council’s area, you must not demand a fare greater than that shown on the meter unless an agreement was made between yourself and the hirer before the hiring commenced.
- When driving a private hire vehicle you must not demand a fare greater than that shown on the meter (if that is how your operator calculates fares) or as agreed between the hirer and the operator.
- You must stop the engine of the vehicle at all times when the vehicle is stationary otherwise than through the necessities of traffic.
- It is a criminal offence to hold and use a mobile phone or other handheld device whilst driving. In addition, this will be regarded as a serious breach of the Code of Conduct.