In The Event That TfL Licensing And Vehicle Passing Closes Due To pandemic

There has been talk that TfL may shortly be closing down certain services. Drivers have asked what happens if they close the passing stations?

If @TfLTPH do close licensing and passing stations because of this Pandemic, don’t worry.... as long as you’ve completed all necessary applications, your existing licenses, which includes your cab licence plate, will stay valid until the passing centres or the licensing centre reopen.

You are legally covered by the Transport Act 1985 sec17(7)

Below is confirmation from the former TfL Director Leon Daniels. 

Apparently this arrangement is not extended to private hire. 

Dear Mr Thomas,

I refer to your email to Sir Peter Hendy regarding the provisions of section 17(7) of the Transport Act 1985 in relation to taxi drivers renewing their licences. Please accept my apologies for the delay in providing a reply.

As far as is possible we will issue a driver his or her new licence in advance of their old licence expiring.

However, this is dependent on the driver submitting a complete and timely application, which includes the result of the DBS check and any other information that is required, as we cannot make a licensing decision until this information is received. 

It is therefore imperative that drivers start the application process in good time to allow for all necessary checks to be completed before their licence expires.

Where we are provided with a complete application, including the results of the DBS check and any other necessary information, but have not yet made a licensing decision before the old one expires, the existing licence will remain in force until a decision is made in accordance with section 17(7). 

In these circumstances, a driver will not be issued with, nor require, a temporary licence pending a decision being made on their application.

Please note that contrary to the comment in your email, section 17 of the Transport Act 1985 only applies to London taxi driver and vehicle licences, not London private hire vehicle driver licences.

Kind regards

Leon Daniels | Managing Director  

Transport for London | Surface Transport | Palestra |

11th Floor - Zone R4| 197 Blackfriars Road|Southwark|SE1 8NJ

Ends:

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT: 

We’ve heard the news over the weekend that certain Taxi garages have reduced their rental fee, which is helpful at this time.

We now have good news from Credit Card equipment provider CMT. 

in a customer email today they stated:

CMT’s pricing policy of not charging monthly fees means that you will not be penalised if you’re not working. Similarly, no minimum usage criteria will apply so that our payment system remains truly pay-as-you-go. It is important to us as a company that you are not penalised if you’re unable to work or, in cases such as with COVID-19, penalised because the work simply isn’t out there.

But it doesn’t end there.

All of us in the Taxi industry, Drivers, Businesses & Service Providers alike will already have felt the effects of a downturn in passenger numbers. Looking at the timelines suggested in the news regarding the spread of COVID-19, it looks highly likely that this downturn will last weeks if not months. As a result, effective from Midnight today (17th March) through to 1st June, we have removed ARRO’s 8% commission fee. Whether the ARRO job is an e-Hail from a passenger or a Concierge ride from a Hotel or Hospital no fee will be charged.