In view of this, changes in the law on private hire and taxi licensing that will affect a wide range of vehicle operators are being introduced by Ashfield District council this autumn.

Stretch limousines, airport travel, chauffeur services, novelty vehicles, executive hire, park and ride and other operators will have to be licensed by the council by January 2008.

The new licensing rules enable the council to carry out safety checks on vehicles and suitability checks on their drivers in the interests of public safety.

The public hiring these types of vehicles will be able to feel more secure in the knowledge that businesses are licensed and the drivers have undertaken Criminal Records Bureau vetting by the Council.

The legal obligation is upon the vehicle operators to contact Ashfield District Council and they are urged to do so as soon as possible. Businesses and drivers working whilst not properly licensed could face prosecution, with significant fines and costs.

Councillor Mrs Elizabeth Mays, Chair of the Licensing and Registration Committee with responsibility for taxi licensing, said:

“The new changes made by the Government in Taxi Licensing Law will ensure that the travelling public who use these vehicles are safer and that businesses are more secure knowing their drivers have been fully vetted”.

“If operators do not get licensed they could find that the vehicle insurance is invalidated and they will also be committing an offence for which they could be prosecuted and fined, so it is clearly in the interest of operators to take action to make sure they comply.”

Vehicles previously licensed under seven day contracts now come under the new laws and must be licensed by the local authority for the area they operate in.

More information can be obtained by contacting the Licensing Team at Ashfield District Council on 01623 457589.