Taxi drivers across Warwick district given licence holiday if they have stopped trading during lockdown

The decision has been taken by Warwick District Council in response to a string of calls asking if licences needed renewing even though work had dried up.

Taxi and private hire drivers are permitted to work under transport exemptions but, due to Government guidance on business closures and social distancing measures, there has been a reported drop in demand and many have stopped work.

And with many operating as ‘sole traders’ it also means that a large number of drivers have struggled to access small business relief schemes available to other businesses.

Now council officers have agreed that those not working will be able to have a ‘licence holiday’.

A report considered by the district council’s executive explained: “Officers are being contacted daily by licence holders, asking if they must renew their licences in order not to lose them in accordance with the existing licensing requirements as laid out in the Drivers and Operators Handbook.”

It added that licences lasted for between one and five years depending on what type it was, with the costs ranging between £88 and £835. And it explained that drivers choosing to take advantage of a ‘licence holiday’ would need to hand over their documents.

The report said: “There is a risk that licence holders may declare that they are not operating and then continue to work.

“If licence holders wish to register themselves as ‘off the road’ they will be required to surrender their physical licences, plates and badges to us for the period. Anyone who then continues to operate will be committing a criminal offence which will be investigated in accordance with our policies.

“This offers some assistance to all licence holders that are not working. Those that were due to renew get to keep hold of any fees in the short term. However, all vehicle owners can take advantage of SORN or insurance options to allow them to access refunds or postpone monthly payments.

“This option leaves us with no reduction in income for the service, however, the income would be deferred to later in the year.”