That the application fee for a Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licence be reduced to £50, for 50 new applications until 31 December 2021.

To assist in addressing a shortage of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licenced Drivers.

An alternative option would be to do nothing, this option was discounted due to the future impact of a drop in the number of licenced driver’s. 

This decision will come into force immediately.

All Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles in Torbay that carry passengers in return of payment must be licensed by Torbay Council. Every driver that works in a licensed vehicle must also be licensed.  There are concerns about the falling number of licensed drivers which have ultimately left the taxi trade during the pandemic. 

This problem has been reflected across the whole country and is not just a Torbay Council problem. There are reports that companies are unable to deliver their services as they haven’t got the drivers to do so. One Company has reported that on a normal night before Covid, they would have 50-60 drivers on shift, whereas now they are down to 17.  There are also reports from other sectors of the licensing trade, that people vacating pubs/restaurants are unable to catch a taxi from the rank due to there not being enough taxis/drivers available. This potentially could lead to a public safety issue, or anti-social behaviour when passengers give up waiting for a Private Hire and Hackney Carriage and simply walk home, or worse, catch a ride with an un-licensed vehicle.

By offering a reduced application fee, it is hoped that more people will consider a career as a licenced driver.

None.