Hiya
I'm wondering if anyone can help me with something.. My partner has recently bought a Toyota Previa (sorry about spelling!!) with a view to do mini cabbing, our neighbour commented that he thought it would be too old (P reg). can anyone confirm how old a car can be before its too old for mini cabbing??
Thanks
|
|
It will depend on the local authority. Ring the licensing office for the district, or ring any local cab firm and ask them.
|
|
Thanks for the advice, I'll get him to ring when he gets home.
|
|
|
|
I think you'll find it depends where you live.......here in North London, a 'P' reg Previa would not be out of place for a mini cab........but in London mini cabs and hackney carriages are poles apart when it comes to regulation
it would need a particularly cheap and pungent air freshener, a bald front tyre, a horrible noise from the suspension and be playing a radio station (loudly) that i've never heard of, let alone listened to...to fully fit in though
|
|
Dont forget the bulbs, must have some of those blown as well, its very rare to see a minicab with a full working set of lights.
|
|
Don't forget a prayer charm swinging from the rear view mirror, a knobbly wooden seat cover, and a radio permanently stuck on an obscure AM religious station.
|
|
As previously mentioned, you have to talk to your local authority to get local info. My area only allows private hire cars up to 5years old and hackneys up to eight.
|
|
And don't forget proper minicab insurance(erxpensive);your normal policy doesn't cover.
|
|
Can you pull away in 4th gear?
|
The vehicle will need to be inspected. It won't pass unless it has a beaded set-cover on the driver's seat.
eg the first item on this page:
www.speeding.co.uk/acatalog/Seat_Covers.html
|
|
|
|
As previously mentioned, you have to talk to your local authority to get local info. My area only allows private hire cars up to 5years old and hackneys up to eight.
As also mentioned it depends on where you live.
Where i live the vehicle has to be no more than 10 years old, but when you first register it as a taxi it should be no more then 5 years old or something like that.
--
Its not what you drive, its how you drive it! :-)
|
|
|
|
|
As the term "mini cabbing" was used and the idea of just buying any old car for the purpose with little thought put behind it. I can only assume OP is in London or the car is intended to be used in London. I am not aware of any regulations (apart from the usual regulations relating to being road legal) for mini cabs/private hire cars in London. I'd assume if it is for London the car would fit in quite nicely because there are no regulations.
To be entirly legal though he will need commercial insurance. A lot of minicabs in London don't bother with this and some occasionally get pulled over by the police and get checked.
Perhaps it's about time London came into the 21st century in this respect.
|
>> I am not aware of any regulations (apart from the usual regulations relating to being road legal) for mini cabs/private hire cars in London. . Perhaps it's about time London came into the 21st century in this respect.
I think you are a bit behind the times horatio. The Greater London Authority has had legislation in force for a few (4 or 5?) years now. The regulations are operated by the Public Carriage Office, which is the same people that control black cabs in London.
The car should have a diamond shaped, tax disc sized licence in the upper near-side front and rear windscreens.
Which, of course, is not to say that all minicab drivers comply. Don't get into a minicab in London unless the car has a diamond shaped licence in the windscreen.
All the above is from my own recollection of the regs. I am prepared to be corrected.
|
|
Last week, I saw a G plate Sierra taxi in manchester city centre, so a P-reg previa wouldn't be out of place here either.
|
|
A few years ago i once saw a yellow Pug 505 estate on an F reg used as a minicab in the Bournemouth!
|
|
|
A few years ago i once saw a yellow Pug 505 estate on an F reg used as a minicab in the Bournemouth!
--
Its not what you drive, its how you drive it! :-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
I didn't know what to put for a title - sorry if you feel it not appropriate. we are aware of the correct licencing and insurance requirements as we have looked into it quite a bit. Nowhere has it mentioned the type/age of vechile -- it was only a comment made from my neighbour that has caused concern. we don't want to pay out for a new license and other fees if the car wouldn't qualify as not all fees are refundable. We are in Bromley, neither of us use cabs so I just wanted some clarification. Thanks for all the replies..
|
|
I had a feeling that the mk1 Previa was not usable as a minicab/taxi as the single rear door meant it would not be licensed.
|
|
|
>>>> . Weare in Bromley, neither of us use cabs so I just wanted some clarification. Thanks for all the replies..
Contact your local authority.
|
The Local Authority will have its own rules & regs about what is / is not required.
Would it not have been more sensible to find out the REGS from the council then buy a car that fits the bill. Buying a car on the spur of the moment and then think about the rules & regs that might apply.
Horse , cart - please arrange in a suitable order.
|
|
Most LAs specify a vehicle with two rear doors, not including the hatch. Mk1 Previa not usable.....
|
1. we are aware of the correct licencing and insurance requirements as we have looked into it quite a bit
2. a comment made from my neighbour that has caused concern
Unless your neighbour is the local minicab licensing chief, surely your extensive research has provided the answers? Surely the people to speak to and settle your concern are the local authority, not some random neighbour?
|
P reg sounds a bit old to me ?
Any local minicab driver should be able to put you right. Has you Other Half looked into who he would drive for ? They'd be able to help out there.
|
|
What about DIsability Access isn't that a requirment now ?
|
Disability access, for taxis and private hires is not yet a requirement. Except by local rules & regs AFAIK. I would think though that the ability to carry a folded wheelchair is a must in all areas.
To the OP, I just checked the London PCO
www.tfl.gov.uk/pco/ph_vehicles.shtml
There are some links on that page for the conditions that apply to vehicles being suitable.
Age of the vehicle is not one of the conditions.
Some of the conditions are:
Must seat less than 9 passengers, so a 9 seat vehicle (including the driver is the biggest allowed)
Must have doors suitable for the passengers to get out quickly. If it has a sliding rear door for the rear passenger compartment the door must be on the pavement side of the vehicle.
Must have an MOT if more than 1 year old (surprised they don't incorporate the MOT test into the plating test)
Must have boot or luggage space sufficient for as many passengers as it is licenced to carry....How big is the previa boot? If you are licensing for 7 passengers they may not accept it. A way round this would be to remove the front passenger seat, licence for 6 and have the front as an area for luggage. I advise you ask the private hire company he intends to work for whether a Previa is ok for a 7 seat licence...or ask the London PCO.
As this is a Toyota Previa (I assume 8 seats) you should apply for a 7 passenger licence (bearing in mind the notes about luggage space above).
Some advice for you, before presenting the vehicle for its PCO inspection, clean it immaculately, including inside the doors, inside the boot lid, the wheels, if the wheel caps are scratched, buy some new ones, if it has no hubcaps clean the steel wheels, and spray paint them black. (better to have hub caps).
Make sure the seat belts are all clean and available, best way is to lock them all into their respective locks.
Make sure your floor mats are all clean
No scratches or dents to the bodywork
No sharp edges on the bodywork
Clean windows
Mechanically sound, fix EVERYTHING that is wrong with the car, you should take it to a garage for a pre-test, a garage which is familiar with the PCO criteria for private hire vehicles.
I hope it passes.
|
*Must have doors suitable for the passengers to get out quickly. If it has a sliding rear door for the rear passenger compartment the door must be on the pavement side of the vehicle.
substitute "single" for "sliding", having a single rear door is ok as long as it is pavement side and as long as the inspectorate consider it adequate for the egress of all passengers, you might want to check with the PCO.
They should have a list of all qualifying vehicles (so far), if you ask them for it. and all vehicles not qualifying (so far)
|
|
Thank you for all of your feedback it is much appreciated !!!
|
|
|
|
