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Taxi update - COVID-19

An update for taxi and private hire vehicles about COVID-19

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There are currently no office appointments - Please submit all applications through our online services. Or you can post new or renewal applications and/or any paperwork in the letterbox at the King’s Court Council Offices. The administrative team have now moved back into the King’s Court Council Office building.

We outline the latest taxi guidance below. You can find this information in full on the GOV.UK taxi and private hire vehicles page. This information may change should the Government produce different guidance.

Updated guidance for using taxis and private hire vehicles

Taxis and private hire vehicles continue to work as normal. However, even with the relaxation of restrictions, it’s important to follow our recommendations to make sure both you and your passengers are safe. 

The Department of Transport has issued updated guidance for transport operators, passengers and taxi and PHV  and is available using the links below:

The contingency face covering distribution programme is extended until the 31 December 2021. As such, transport bodies and operators are able to order face coverings they may require for contingency purposes for passengers and transport workers until 31 December at zero cost. Attached are documents which have been updated in line with the extended offer:

  • Q&A
  • Request form – for interested transport bodies and operators to fill out stating how many face coverings are requested to provide delivery details
  • Letter – this will be attached to the delivery of face coverings when it is sent out, gives background and includes conditions of use etc.

Completed request forms should be sent to dftppequeries@unipart.com and Unipart will handle all logistic queries relating to delivery.

Conduct a risk assessment

Conduct a risk assessment to understand any risks. You don’t need to write anything down as part of your risk assessment. But you should think about how you work and the ways you can protect both yourself and your passengers.

You may wish to install protective screens within your vehicle to mitigate the risks to you and passengers of inadvertently contracting the virus.

If you wish to fit a temporary screen, you must first:

  • notify our Licensing Team of your intention to fit a protective screen by emailing the ehlicensing@west-norfolk.gov.uk inbox with the 'Notification of intention to fit a protective screen', and
  • provide a written undertaking confirming that fitting the protective screen will not result in your insurer refusing to cover the vehicle or compromise any existing safety features built into the vehicle, and
  • agree to remove the protective screen when the pandemic is over

This guidance note does not substitute any of the Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Procedures and Conditions approved by Full Council on 19th January 2017.

Picking up passengers

To help control the spread of COVID-19 please download and use the NHS COVID-19 app while you are working.

Before a passenger enters your vehicle, you should ask if they have:

  • coronavirus symptoms – a fever, new cough or loss of smell or taste
  • had a positive coronavirus test in the last 10 days

You should refuse service if they have.

Make sure to wash or sanitise your hands if you come into contact with a passenger or their luggage.

You must continue to provide support to disabled passengers to safely enter and exit your vehicle, and assist them with their luggage and any mobility equipment.

In the vehicle

COVID-19 spreads through the air by droplets and aerosols that are exhaled from the nose and mouth of an infected person.

You can consider:

  • opening windows when carrying passengers
  • using the car’s vents to bring in fresh air from outside
  • wearing a face covering*

*Face coverings are no longer mandatory by law. Although you do not have to wear a face covering, we recommend that you do if it does not affect your ability to drive safely.

At the end of the journey

Take contactless payment if you can.

If not, you should wash your hands with soap and water or sanitiser after handling money.

You should remind passengers to wash or sanitise their hands after the journey.

Preparing your vehicle for your next passenger

Between every journey you should:

  • clean those parts of your vehicle that you or passengers may have touched, for example, door handles, payment devices, protective screens, buttons, seats
  • open doors and windows to ventilate the car for 5 minutes
  • wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser

Testing and COVID symptoms

Everyone in England can now receive regular tests and as a vehicle driver who comes into contact with members of the public you should consider getting tested regularly. Follow the guidance regarding testing.

You should not work if you have coronavirus symptoms or you have been told to self-isolate. If you have coronavirus symptoms you should get a test as soon as possible. You should stay at home until you get the result.

Further information

To view this guidance in full, please visit the GOV.UK taxi and private hire vehicles page.

If you need further guidance, please email us on ehlicensing@west-norfolk.gov.uk.