Vehicles

Incident Log

The licence holder must ensure that an accessible incident log is maintained for the  vehicle. The log must record all incidents involving the vehicle, including (but not limited to):

• Accidents of any type
• Damage to the vehicle
• Meter faults
• Equipment failures
• Refusals of hire (including date, time, location and reason)
• Any events, circumstances or incidents which lead the driver or proprietor to suspect that a passenger or passengers is involved in or is a victim of child sexual exploitation or any other abuse, modern slavery or trafficking of people, abuse or supply of drugs, involvement in terrorism or any other criminal activity
• Entries must be made immediately or as soon as practicable and the log must be produced to an Authorised Officer on request.

Vehicle Checks

Before using the vehicle for the first time each day, the driver must undertake a “walk around check” which Include plates and livery. This requires that the driver ensures the vehicle is roadworthy and fit for use as a Private Hire vehicle. The check must include the tyres (pressure and tread depth), checking the lights are functioning (so far as is possible with one person – all lights except brake lights), checking all glass (lights and windows) is intact, ensuring all fluids are correctly topped up, the windscreen wipers are functioning correctly and ensuring there is no obvious damage to the vehicle. Any defects that are detected must be rectified before the vehicle is used to carry passengers. Records of these checks must be kept for 6 months and must be available for inspection by an authorised officer.

In addition to the daily walkaround check, the licence holder must ensure that a more detailed inspection of the licensed vehicle is carried out at least once in every calendar month. The inspection findings must be recorded in writing and retained for inspection by an Authorised Officer for a minimum of 6 months.