Random roadside taxi checks carried out by council and police

A joint operation between North East Lincolnshire Council’s licensing team and Humberside Police has seen 15 random roadside spot check inspections on local taxis.

Drivers were checked, alongside the condition of their vehicle, as well as their licence, insurance, tyres, lights and vehicle tax.

The following issues were found during the inspections on the evening of Friday 8 July:

• One vehicle was immediately suspended for not displaying the vehicle licence plate – the vehicle has since had a follow-up check by the licensing team and the plate is now displayed
• One vehicle was showing as SORN – this has now been rectified and the vehicle taxed
• One vehicle had one magnetic door sign – these must be fixed to the vehicle so that they cannot be taken off and used by a person who is not licensed, or fall off when travelling at speed 
• One vehicle had two magnetic door signs – again, these must be fixed to the vehicle so that they cannot be taken off and used by a person who is not licensed, or fall off when travelling at speed 
• One driver was given advice as they were looking in their wallet whilst driving
• Three drivers were given advice regarding their speed
• One vehicle had a side light out
• One driver without an ID Badge

The council’s licensing team are responsible for issuing licenses to new and continuing taxi drivers, and carry out extensive checks on the vehicles to ensure that they are roadworthy and meet the required standards.

Throughout the year, the team carry out roadside spot checks to make sure that these standards are being kept to.

Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “I’d like to thank the officers from both the council’s licensing team and Humberside Police for carrying out these spot checks.

“It’s important that the standards of our taxis are the highest that they can be and that they are safe for local residents. This work is about making sure these standards are being adhered to.

“I’m pleased to say that the majority of drivers do uphold these standards and I thank them for that. On this occasion, drivers have been spoken to and the issues will be monitored until they are resolved.”

Stay safe and smart when you get a taxi

• Always use a licensed vehicle.
• Hackney Carriage Vehicles can pick up unarranged fares from the street.  They have a taxi roof sign and a white licence plate on the rear bumper. 
• Private hire vehicles are not permitted to pick up from the street without being pre-booked.  They have a half moon door sign on the front two doors which say ‘advanced bookings only’, and a yellow licence plate on the rear bumper. Book by phone, email or in a private hire office.  Never approach or accept a journey from a private hire driver which isn’t pre-booked.
• When your booked vehicle arrives, make sure the driver can confirm your name and destination – check this before you get into the vehicle.
• Check the driver’s photo ID badge.
• Never risk getting into a private hire vehicle which is not pre-booked.

The council’s licensing department warns against arranging journeys with unlicensed people on the internet and social media as they are not insured and these individuals have had no checks, which could put people in potential danger.