Coronavirus (COVID-19): taxis and PHVs Guidance
To help drivers and operators of taxis and private hire vehicles stay safe, prevent the spread of coronavirus, and ensure passengers are well informed the Department for Transport has produced sector-specific guidance for the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) industry. You can access the latest on GOV.UK by clicking here.
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Travel Action Cards
The Travel Action Cards, one of which covers taxis and PHVs, have been updated.
Driver Licences
Drivers with a DVLA photocard driving licence or a driving licence entitlement that expires between 1 February and 31 December 2020 will be given a 11-month extension from the date of expiry. This means that a driver will not need to renew their photocard or entitlement to drive until 11 months after the original expiry date.
Drivers do not need to take any action as this extension will be granted automatically and they will be sent a renewal reminder before their 11-month extension ends.
More information can be found on GOV.UK
Group 2 / D4 medical updates
The Department for Transport is aware of the current difficulties in obtaining medical examination reports, such as the D4 medical report used for the Group 2 HGV and bus driver entitlements that many taxi and private hire vehicle licensing authorities base their assessments on.
While it remains a matter for licensing authorities whether to issue or renew a taxi or private hire vehicle driver licence, the Government is making temporary provisions for bus and lorry drivers aged 45 and over to forego the need for a D4 medical in order to renew their driving entitlement. These changes are temporary and will only apply where the driver does not have any existing notifiable health conditions, and their licence has not expired before 1 January 2020.
More information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-coronavirus-covid-19-update#bus-and-lorry-drivers--d4-medical-updates
