Dashcam in Taxi/Private Hire Vehicles Consultation
CONSULTATION REGARDING INSTALLATION OF DASHCAM IN TAXIS/PRIVATE HIRE VEHILCES
At a meeting of the General Purposes Board on 10 May 2023 members approved a policy relating to the installation and operation of CCTV cameras within taxi/private hire vehicles. This policy did not cover the installation of Dashcams.
As a result of the Policy which was approved, Taxi/Private Hire Operators may now submit an application to the Council’s Licensing Section at Licensing.Section@Inverclyde.gov.uk for permission to install CCTV cameras within their vehicle. Once a completed application has been received by the Licensing Section, arrangements will be made for inspection of the vehicle and device to be carried out at Pottery Street. There is an administrative fee of £35 to be paid to the Licensing Section in connection with an application and an inspection fee of £15 to be paid to the Roads Service.
It should be highlighted that the policy does not set out a mandatory requirement to install CCTV, rather it is a matter for each individual operator to decide whether to apply to install the equipment. The Policy sets out the requirements and obligations upon the Licence Holder, as “ Data Controller “ in order to comply with Data Protection law.
Members of the General Purposes Board on 10 May 2023 also decided that a further consultation should be undertaken on the use of Dashcams in taxis/private hire vehicles with a view to amending the approved policy on installation of CCTV, and with a further report being brought to the Board following the Consultation.
A Dashcam system includes a dashboard camera, car digital video recorder, driving recorder, event data recorder ( EDR) and any onboard camera that continuously records the view through the vehicle’s front windscreen and/or rear or other window.
A consultation is now underway on the proposal that the existing policy be amended to also permit the use of external facing Dashcams. Proposed amendments have been made to the existing policy, which is attached, highlighted in yellow. Where it is proposed existing wording is to be deleted, it appears in red print. You will note that it is proposed that there are some changes to the section of the policy relating to operator contact details on signage in any vehicle with CCTV/Dashcam.
Consultees are asked to consider whether the installation of Dashcam devices within taxis/private hire vehicles would help improve the safety of drivers and passengers during journeys.
I should be grateful if you would email your response the licensing section at the following address: Licesning.Section@inverclyde.gov.uk no later than 9 October 2023.