Taxi Policy - Appendix I - Driver/vehicle proprietor vehicle maintenance

Public safety is at the core of hackney carriage and private hire licensing, the safety of a licensed vehicle is an integral part of that. As part of the conditions attached to driver and vehicle licences and the hackney carriage drivers code of conduct both drivers and vehicle licence owners have responsibility in terms of the safety of the vehicle.

A licensed driver or vehicle owner shall undertake a weekly vehicle check. The checks to be carried out are as follows:

• Tyre condition, pressures, and tread
• Brakes
• Steering/suspension appear to be working ok
• Lights and indicators
• Battery
• Windscreen wipers, washers, and washer fluid levels
• Oil and water levels
• Horn in working order
• Seats/seat belts
• Central locking in hackney carriages
• Bodywork - no dents or sharp edges
• Cleanliness inside and out
• Meters
• Emissions
• Wheelchair restraints/ramps and lifts operational
• Signage as required

It is recommended that the licensed driver should undertake a daily vehicle check at the beginning of each shift. However, a record shall be kept of the weekly checks on the schedule provided by the Authority