The Taxi Operators Licensing (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

Amendment to the Taxi Operators Licensing Regulations

2.—(1) The Taxi Operators Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012(1) are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (9).

(2) In regulation 2 (interpretation)—

(a) at the appropriate place in alphabetical order insert the following definitions—

““Class A, B, C or D licensed taxi” means a taxi, the class of use for which a licence has been granted under regulation 7 (grant of licence) of the Taxi Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015(2);

“executive service” means a service where a licensed taxi is used for the carriage of passengers in connection with a ceremonial, corporate or prestige taxi booking;

“tour service” means a service where a licensed taxi is used for the carriage of passengers to and from one or more advertised destinations, which includes a guided commentary, for the purpose of tourism.”;

(b) at the end of the definition of “registration mark” omit the word “and”; and

(c) at the end of the definition of “small operator” insert the word “and”.

(3) In regulation 7 (conditions)—

(a) in paragraph (1) for “(9)” substitute “(10)”; and

(b) for paragraph (8) substitute—

“(8) Subject to paragraph (8A), where a licensed operator provides a licensed taxi fitted with a taximeter, the licensed operator shall ensure any fare payable in respect of the taxi booking is less than or equal to the fare shown on the taximeter.

(8A) The requirement in paragraph (8) does not apply where the taxi booking is in respect of a licensed taxi providing an executive service or a tour service.”.

(4) In regulation 9 (particulars of taxi bookings)—

(a) after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) Where the taxi booking is in respect of a licensed taxi providing an executive service or tour service, the following information shall be recorded on a form “a Journey Form”, which must be carried in the vehicle throughout the period of the journey—

(a) the name of the person for whom the taxi booking is made;

(b) the date of the journey;

(c) the time and place of collection;

(d) the destination;

(e) the price agreed for the relevant journey;

(f) the driver’s taxi driver licence number;

(g) the name and licence number of the taxi operator; and

(h) the address of the operating centre.”;

(b) in paragraph (2) after “booking” insert “for a Class A or B licensed taxi or any Class C or D licensed taxi providing a tour service”; and

(c) after paragraph (3) add—

“(4) Paragraphs (1) to (3) do not apply if the booking is made on behalf of the Department of Justice (3).”.

(5) In regulation 10(e) (particulars of vehicles) after “Public Service Vehicle licence” insert “or taxi licence”.

(6) In regulation 12(2)(g) (complaints records) after “Public Service Vehicle licence number” insert “or taxi licence number”.

(7) In regulation 13 (record of lost property)—

(a) “13” is renumbered “13.—(1)”; and

(b) in paragraph (2)—

(i) in sub-paragraph (c) for “item; and” substitute “item.”; and

(ii) omit sub-paragraph (d).

(8) In regulation 15 (exceptions)—

(a) For paragraph (2) substitute—

“(2) The person specified for the purposes of paragraph (1) is—

(a) a person who holds a Road Service Licence granted under Part II of the Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 for a taxi bus;

(b) a person providing only wedding cars; or

(c) a person providing courtesy transport.”;

(b) In paragraph (3) for the definition of “courtesy transport” substitute—

““courtesy transport” means transport provided in a vehicle with no more than 8 seats in addition to the driver, which is primarily used for the carriage of passengers with the services of a driver on behalf of an organisation or business whose primary purpose is not that of carrying passengers;”.

(9) In regulation 16 (affiliated drivers)—

(a) for paragraph (a) substitute—

“(a) the second operator is providing wedding or funeral cars and the driver is driving—

(i) a vehicle plated in accordance with regulation 7(8) (licence and disc) of the Public Services Vehicles Regulations; or

(ii) a Class C licensed taxi; or”; and

(b) in paragraph (b) omit “where”.

(1)

S.R. 2012 No. 316

(2)

S.R. 2015 No. 393

(3)

2010 c. 3