Nottingham City Council is extending licensing rules that apply to private hire and taxis in Nottingham to other transport operations such as limousines, chauffeur services and park and ride services.

With effect from January 28, due to new legislation being passed by the Government, the City Council is introducing the changes to increase safety for users of a range of other transport operators not currently licensed.

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, which will include Limousines, airport travel, chauffeur services, novelty vehicles, executive hire, park and ride and other operators having to be licensed by the Council by January 2008.

Caraline Ryan, Nottingham City Council’s Head of Public Protection said: “People hiring vehicles other than taxis will feel more secure in the knowledge that these businesses will be licensed, vehicles inspected and drivers vetted through the Criminal Records Bureau just as taxi and private hire operators are.”

“The legal obligation is upon the vehicle operators to contact Nottingham City Council and we urge them to do so as soon as possible as businesses working whilst not properly licensed after January 28 2008 could face prosecution, with significant fines and costs.”

For further information please contact Taxi Licensing Section, Lawrence House, Talbot Street, Nottingham, NG1 5NT or call 0115 9156571.