Reading’s taxi drivers have voiced their concerns over private hire rules and regulations for local firms and say they are facing long delays in licence renewals.
Last year, a group of drivers formed the Reading Private Hire Association to advocate for the trade. They have a booking from a customer to transport them, as opposed to cab taxis which can hailed on the spot.
The association is negotiating with Reading Borough Council’s licensing team to bring issues to their attention.
Among their concerns is a backlog of renewals of licences, an issue raised at a meeting between association executives and council officers at the Claim & Hire Specialist Office in Whitley’s Boulton Road.
Private hire licenses last for three years after which they must be renewed.
There had been a situation where drivers were left in limbo waiting for their applications to renew their licenses to be approved, with some expiring. The association was able to negotiate an ‘Entitlement to Drive’ so that licence holders could continue working following a meeting on December 19, 2022.
Kamran Saddiq, chairman of the association, said: “We’d like to thank licensing for reinstating the entitlement to drive, that’s been a massive help to all of our drivers, their really appreciative of what you’ve done.
“It was a blessing that drivers could get back to work.”
The backlog for licensing approvals remains.
Clyde Mason, a licensing officer for Reading Borough Council said the entitlement to drive applies to those who have submitted their re-applications six weeks prior to licence termination.
Licensing officer Anthony Chawama said it was being exploited by some drivers who were leaving their re-applications to the last minute.
A series of other issues were raised at the meeting as well.
Drivers must attend in person safeguarding courses each time they obtain a licence. The association asked for this course to be done online after a driver attends their first course in person.
Officer Mason said the sessions are a statutory requirement, but online courses could be looked into.
He added that drivers will be notified to attend a safeguarding course on the third year of their licence, giving them 11 months to attend such a course ready for their renewal application.
Drivers also require a DBS check to trade.
Mr Saddiq questioned the need for roof signs and side panels for private hire cars, which is to distinguish them from hackney carriages.
Officer Mason said the council’s licensing team was willing to hear proposed changes.
Mr Saddiq also asked for more clarity on penalties. A driver’s licence will be suspended for 14 days if they acquire 12 points on their licence.
Officer Mason explained that penalties are kept on record for four years, but no longer apply if there are no infractions after 12 months.
The meeting of the Reading Private Hire Association occurred on Tuesday, February 7.
