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Seat Belt Laws for Taxi Drivers

The statutory law no.176 of The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts Regulations- 1993) states that while a taxi is seeking hire, answering a call for hire or carrying a passenger for hire a licensed taxi driver does not have to wear a seat belt. However, it is advisable that if you are going out of your licensing area with customers or to collect customers - you should wear a seat belt.
 
When carrying children in Licensed Taxis, statutory law no.1892 of The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts ((Amendment)) Regulations 2006), there is no requirement on licensed taxi/private car operators to provide child seats/boosters. Advice says to make sure that any child or children in your taxi are strapped in using the normal adult seat belt.  
 
If however, you have a licensed vehicle with a partition - the Southampton Hackney Association's advice would be this - If you are going to leave the child with the parents consent in their pushchair, make sure that there are no bags of shopping hanging onto the handles. Secure the pushchair correctly, in the same way that you would with a person in a disabled chair and make sure that they have a seat belt placed around them.
 
If you have a saloon car taxi, please make sure that you carry no more than your licence plate allows you to.
 
The Southampton Hackney Association would refer you to the Department for Transport's Guide on Seat Belts for more detailed advice and information.

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