FOI Request - Taxi Licensing

Request 101002907363

I would like to submit a freedom of information request regarding Taxi licensing.

Please can you provide the following information

1. Total number of Hackney Carriage vehicle’s currently licenced by your authority.
2. Do you impose a vehicle condition relating to a top light?
3. If yes to Q2 what is the wording of this condition?
4. If yes to Q2 have you received any complaints or requests to remove the condition relating to top lights? If so how many? And how many of these were on grounds of public safety?    

Response 08-11-21

1. 140
2. Yes         
3. You must display upon the roof of your taxi a sign in accordance with the following specification for the purpose of identifying the vehicle as a taxi and/or, where appropriate, for identifying that the taxi is available for shared hire:-

A white illuminated roof sign either magnetically or rack mounted of a maximum size of 36” by 6½” by 6¼” containing a maximum of 4 x 10 watt bulbs.  (Specification is a maximum).

On the rear of the sign, centrally positioned, may be inserted a telephone number or numbers in black numbering.  No other additions are permitted.

No additions are permitted on the end of the sign other than the licence number and the number of passengers the vehicle is licensed to carry.

If you are a Zone 1 Licence Holder, the front of the sign may display your firm or trading name, subject to the approval of the Licensing Authority, and the words “Elgin Taxi” or “City of Elgin Taxi” all as approved by the Licensing Authority.

If you are a Zone 2 Licence Holder, the front of the sign may display your firm or trading name, subject to the approval of the Licensing Authority, and the name of the geographical area where you operate together with the word “Taxi”, all as approved by the Licensing Authority.
4. No