Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy

10. Appendix 2: list of offences

Town Police Clauses Act 1847 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

In relation to the maximum penalties specified, the levels of fine are currently as follows:

  • level 1: £200
  • level 2: £500
  • level 3: £1,000
  • level 4: £2,500

Town Police Clauses Act 1847 - Hackneys

Section Offence Maximum penalty
40 Giving false information on application for HC Licence Level 1
44 Failure to notify change of address of HC proprietor Level 1
45 Plying for hire without HC Proprietors licence Level 4
47 Driving a HC without a HC drivers licence Level 3
47 Lending or parting with HC driver’s licence Level 3
47 HC proprietor employing unlicensed driver Level 3
48 Failure by HC proprietor to hold HC driver’s licence Level 1
48 Failure by HC proprietor to produce HC driver’s licence Level 1
52 Failure to display HC plate Level 1
53 Refusal to take a fare Level 2
54 Charging more than the agreed fare Level 1
55 Obtaining more than the legal fare Level 3 and 1 month imprisonment whilst in default
56 Travelling less than the lawful distance for an agreed fare Level 1
57 Failing to wait after a deposit to wait has been paid Level 1
58 Charging more than the legal fare Level 3
59 Carrying other person than the hirer without consent Level 1
60 Driving HC without Proprietors consent Level 1
60 Allowing another to drive HC without proprietors consent Level 1
61 Drunken driving of HC Level 1
61 Wanton or furious driving leading to injury or danger Level 1
62 Driver leaving HC unattended Level 1
64 HC driver obstructing other HC’s. Level 1

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 - Hackneys

Section Offence Maximum penalty
49 Failure to notify the transfer of a HC proprietors licence Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
50(1) Failure to present a HC for inspection, as required Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
50(2) Failure to inform the Authority where the HC is stored, if requested Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
50(3) Failure to report an accident to the Authority Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
50(4) Failure to produce the HC Proprietors licence and insurance certificate Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
53(3) Failure to produce the HC drivers licence Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
57 Making a false statement or withholding information to obtain a HC drivers licence Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
58(2) Failure to return a plate after notice given following expiry, revocation or suspension of a HC proprietor’s licence Level 3 + fine of £10 per day
61(2) Failure to surrender a driver’s licence after suspension, revocation or refusal to renew. Level 1
62(A) Failure to return a licence or identity badge further to suspension or revocation on the grounds of right to work Level 3 +fine of £10 per day
64 Permitting any vehicle other than a HC to wait on a HC stand. Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
66 Charging more than the meter fare for a journey ending outside the district, without prior agreement. Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
67 Charging more than the meter fare when HC used as private hire vehicle Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
69 Unnecessarily prolonging a journey Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
71 Interfering with a taximeter Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
73(1)(a) Obstruction of an Officer or Constable Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
73(1)(b) Failure to comply with a requirement of an authorised officer or constable Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
73(1)(c) Failure to give information or assistance to an authorised officer or constable. Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
73(2) Making a false statement when providing information Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
46(1)(a) Using an unlicensed PH Vehicle Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
46(1)(b) Driving a PH vehicle without a PH driver’s licence Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
46(1)(c) Proprietor of a PH vehicle using an unlicensed driver Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
46(1)(d) Operating a PH vehicle without a PH operator’s licence Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
46(1)(e) Operating a vehicle as a PH vehicle when the vehicle is not licensed as a PH vehicle Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
46(1)(e) Operating a vehicle as a PH vehicle when the driver is not licensed as a PH driver Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
48(6) Failure to display a PH vehicle plate. Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
49 Failure to notify transfer of a PH vehicle licence Level 3

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 - private hire

Section Offence Maximum penalty
50(1) Failure to present a PH vehicle for inspection, as required Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
50(2) Failure to inform the Authority where the PH vehicle is stored, if requested Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
50(3) Failure to report an accident to the Authority Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
50(4) Failure to produce the PH vehicle licence and an insurance certificate Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
53(3) Failure to produce a PH drivers licence Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
54(2) Failure to wear a PH driver’s badge Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
56(2) Failure by a PH operator to keep records of bookings. Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
56(3) Failure by a PH operator to keep records of PH vehicles operated by him Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
56(4) Failure to produce a PH operator’s licence on request. Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
57 Making a false statement or withholding information to obtain a PH driver or operator licence. Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
58(2) Failure to return a plate after notice given following expiry, revocation or suspension of a PH vehicle licence Level 3 + fine of £10 per day
61(2) Failure to surrender a driver’s licence after suspension, revocation or refusal to renew Level 1
62(A) Failure to return a licence or identity badge further to suspension or revocation on the grounds of right to work Level 3 + fine of £10 per day
67 Charging more than the meter fare when HC used as private hire vehicle Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
69 Unnecessarily prolonging a journey Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
71 Interfering with a taximeter. Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
73(1)(a) Obstruction of an Officer or Constable Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
73(1)(b) Failure to comply with a requirement of an authorised officer or constable. Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
73(1)(c) Failure to give information or assistance to an authorised officer or constable. Level 3 (by virtue of s76)
73(2) Making a false statement when providing information Level 3 (by virtue of s76)

Transport Act 1980

Section Offence Maximum Penalty
64(2)(a) Driving a PH vehicle with a roof sign, which contravenes s64 (1) Level 3
64(2)(a) Causing or permitting a PH vehicle to be driven with a roof sign which contravenes s64 (1) Level 3

Health Act 2006 and Smoke Free (Penalties and Discounted Amounts) Regulations 2007

Section Offence Maximum penalty
6 Failure to display required no-smoking signage Level 3
7 Smoking in a smoke-free place Level 1
8 Failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free place Level 4

Equality Act 2010

Section Offence Maximum penalty
165 Refusal to carry a wheelchair passenger, or charging extra for doing so, or failing to provide reasonable mobility assistance Level 3 in a designated vehicle maintained in accordance with section 167 of the Equality Act 2010 Level 3
168 Refusal to carry an assistance dog or charging extra for doing so in a hackney carriage Level 3
170 Refusal to carry an assistance dog or charging extra for doing so in a private hire vehicle