Maidenhead & Windsor

The Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough is gearing up for a change in the law that will mean a wider range of vehicle operators will need to be licensed from January 2008.

The new rules will close a loophole in current legislation, introducing the need for licenses for chauffeur-driven car and limousine operators, airport travel firms, novelty vehicles, transport to school, executive hire and a variety of other operators,

Currently Windsor and Maidenhead chauffeur operators and others are not regulated in any way, whereas taxi and minicab drivers must pass a variety of tests before they are permitted to go on the road.

Cllr Jesse Grey, chairman of the Windsor and Maidenhead licensing panel with responsibility for taxi and private hire licensing, said: "I am pleased that the government has moved to cover this loophole. Customers who use chauffeur services and similar operations should have the same safeguards as those who use ordinary taxis."

In future, chauffeurs and other operators who hire themselves out to the public will have to be properly licensed and will have criminal record checks to ensure it is appropriate for them to be dealing with the public. Similarly, vehicles will have to comply with the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough's strict standards to ensure safety, and have the correct level of insurance needed for carrying passengers.”

The council’s licensing team is expecting about 100 new applications and is urging chauffeurs to contact them sooner rather than later to ensure their business can continue legally when the new regulations come into force.

Further information about the new provisions is available from the council's licensing team on 01628 683840.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead