Hackney carriage cab drivers are livid after a private hire taxi firm in Hull implemented a mobile pre-booking service for Hull taxi customers.

This is a first for a Hull private hire taxi firm. The firm employs a ‘mobile taxi booker’ at various locations in the city centre. This has caused some concerns and has angered the local public hire trade.

A partner at the firm that has implemented Hull’s first and only mobile taxi booking system claims that this is completely above board and legal as all passenger journey’s are pre-booked and comply with the private hire operator’s licence conditions.

The mobile taxi booker attracts private hire customers by wearing a high visibility vest with the words ‘See me to book a taxi’. Customers approach the booker for pre-booked journeys which are then transmitted back to the taxi booking office by use of a mobile device.

Several complaints have been received by Hull’s licensing department regarding this. A spokesperson has said that they are seeking legal advice on this and will take appropriate measures once their enquiry is completed.

Even though this is a first in Hull, this type of practice is very common in London where this has caused a lot of friction between the London Black Cab drivers and the private hire minicab drivers.

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New taxi and private hire guidelines have reached a mid point in the consultation period for drivers licensed by the West Lancashire Borough Council.

Taxi drivers and private hire drivers and the general taxi trade have responded in a positive manner to the new suggested proposals do far. The new proposals include a myriad of changes and standards about licensed taxi/private hire drivers and also proposals affecting the taxi driver’s cabs.

All taxi drivers and individuals were sent a written letter by the West Lancashire Borough Council and were asked to comment or make suggestions on the new taxi licensing policy. Both the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers were consulted as the new guidelines affect both licence types.

The consultation document included numerous key proposals including:

• Introduction of a dress code for licensed taxi drivers
• Clarification of the medical fitness rules for taxi drivers
• A 15 year age limit for licensed vehicles
• Update to the knowledge test for new taxi drivers applying for a licence
• Front passenger seats in public hire vehicles to be refused licence for driver safety.
• Better environmental friendly policies
• Also a review of all existing licensing policies and conditions

The new proposals are being introduced to improve the way licensed vehicles and taxi drivers carry out their activities and to improve safety for both the public and licensed taxi drivers.

Please visit the West Lancashire Borough Councils website for furthers details and to make any comments.

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By utilising the services of a broker to find cheap taxi insurance quotes, you get the best deals currently available in this fluctuating market. Often you will be given various taxi insurance quote options. Some will automatically include public liability insurance. Others will include taxi breakdown assistance cover. Also there are policies available to reduce you vehicle policy excess to nil. This is extremely handy if you opt for a high excess on your taxi policy. Ask you taxi insurance broker for the available options. Certain insurers will note provide a quotation in some areas such as London Public Carriage Office or other inner city areas. This is where a reputable taxi insurance broker comes to use. By using their vast experience they normally are still able to find a solution to your budget and requirements.

If you have any queries or are unsure about the type of taxi insurance policy you require, your insurance broker should be able to advice you on the best possible course of action you should pursue. Taxi insurance brokers are experienced in the hire and reward field and are able to guide and provide quotations for both public hire and private hire insurance.

Different types of policies are available depending on whether you are a public hire or a private hire driver. Policy wording differ according to the type of taxi policy taken. For example a private hire insurance policy normally carries the statement: Carriage of passengers for hire or reward by pre-booked journey and use under a private hire licence. In most cases a broker is able to get an immediate cover and offer various payment options.

As well as individual taxi insurance policies you can also opt for a taxi fleet insurance cover if you have two or more taxi cars. Some insures will quote for two vehicles but most tend to offer taxi fleet insurance for operators with a minimum of 3 vehicles. The taxi fleet insurance policies tend to be very flexible with the option of mixing cover levels and adding vehicle as and when required.

Due to the nature of taxi insurance each quotation is usually personalised for the individual taxi driver. There is no policy that fits all. An experienced taxi broker will take your details and offer a taxi insurance quotation based on your requirements.

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1. Ensure that accurate journey scheduling is in place. The fleet driver to follow scheduled journeys.
2. The delivery or collection times should be realistically timed so that the fleet driver doesn’t rush or speed which could potentially result in an accident.
3. If you operate your own fuel storage tanks it important that you review your security measures, such as key holders etc.
4. Security of your fleet vehicles is an essential part of your fleet management processes. If any of the fleet vehicles are not being utilised these should be either moved to a secure compound or a locked garage.
5. In the unfortunate event of an accident incurring on one of your fleet vehicles, report it to the insurers immediately. This will ensure the claim is dealt quickly and effectively and also minimises third party costs. Very important for fleet claims experience purposes.
6. Your fleet drivers should be well versed in what steps to take should an accident happen. Recording details such as full details of the third party driver, passengers, witness details, time, location and circumstances. If possible to take some photographs or to draw a sketch. When taking photographic evidence ensure the drivers are trained not to get into confrontation with the third party. In the current climate of ‘not to blame make a claim’ the fleet drivers should be vigilante of staged accidents. If there is any doubt, report the incidence to the police and the fleet insurance company immediately.
7. When hiring new fleet drivers make sure that the original driving licenses are checked. Also ensure any references are followed up. By having poor claims experience will only increase the cost of your fleet insurance policy.
8. All new fleet drivers should be properly trained and thoroughly versed in your fleet processes including accident reporting and vehicle maintenance.
9. If you are in the process of reducing your fleet vehicles make sure that the fleet insurance brokers are advised of this and also cancel any maintenance contracts you have.
10. Also ensure any temporary hired in vehicles are properly insured by informing your fleet insurers.

Are you looking for car insurance for 1 day, maybe a week or two? A short term car insurance is an excellent solution in this instance. The short term insurance is suitable for customers looking for a temporary insurance solution for 1 to 28 days. The daily insurance cover is available for both cars and vans.

There are many instances where a short term insurance policy is very useful. For example you are going on a long journey with a friend, family member or a colleague and require the driving to be shared. Temporary car insurance is perfect for this example.

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The short term car insurance policy is available for 1 day to a maximum of 28 days. Both van and car temporary insurance policies are available. Please ensure you read the full acceptance criteria on the insurers website before taking out a daily car insurance policy.

Typical conditions set by the insurers include the types of cars that can be insured on a daily insurance policy. The age of the drivers is another factor, some short term insurance providers minimum age requirements are the driver has to be at least 25 years old. Other day insurance povidors minimum age start from only 21 years old and over.

Other acceptance conditions which are typical requirements for any short term insurance cover is that the proposer must have had a full UK/EU licence for at least 12 months. Also the number of claims, accidents and driving convictions are rating factors.

Most daily car insurance providors offer a quote and buy facility online. The short term car insurance customer can enter their details on the quote page after having ensured they meet all the acceptance criteria. A premium is displayed for the level of cover selected together with important details regarding the temporary insurance policy. The customer then has the options to be for the short term insurance cover by either a debit or a credit card. After the payment has been successfully processed the temporary car / van insurance policy documents are produced for the customer to print. Also a set of these documents are emailed to the customers email address declared during the quotation state.

Many customers assume this type of insurance will incur huge costs and takes a lot of time. The reality is completely the opposite. Short term car insurance policies only take minutes to complete online. It is far cheaper to have a short term insurance policy in place then risk driving without any form of cover.

Some insurers will also provide temporary car insurance for rented cars. Maybe you have rented a car for a few days and the rental company requires you to have your own insurance policy then a short term insurance policy is extremely handy.

Please remember that most daily car insurance policies are not suitable for where the vehicles have been impounded by the police. This is usually clearly stated on the certificate of insurance.