Free Traffic Legal Advice

General discussion => The Flame Pit => Topic started by: hirerspcn on July 25, 2023, 09:56:36 pm

Title: Re: Permitted parking for Private Taxi
Post by: guest46 on July 30, 2023, 06:33:00 pm
TheOP begs the question - how have you managed thus far?
Title: Re: Permitted parking for Private Taxi
Post by: guest303 on July 27, 2023, 04:26:28 pm
Hello, I currently work as a private taxi driver and was wondering wether if it would be unreasonable for me to park in resident bays or other parking bays for me to go use the bathroom etc.

Most of the time i am far away from home, it is very difficult to find free parking (mainly in central london) and bathroom close to each other.

I ask because I don’t want to get hit with a PCN and not get out of it.


Find a petrol station that has customer toilets, buy a packet of chewing gum, use toilets, get on with the rest of your shift, simples really.
Title: Re: Permitted parking for Private Taxi
Post by: notmeatloaf on July 27, 2023, 02:26:22 am
1. Find local cafes/hotels etc to recommend.
2. Recommend them to customers.
3. Said local businesses will happily let you use their toilets and give you unlimited free hot drinks and some food as a thank you.

If you work for a taxi company and they are half decent they will have already signed up local hotels/BnBs use them exclusively for guest taxis in exchange (among other things) for drivers using their toilets.
Title: Re: Permitted parking for Private Taxi
Post by: DWMB2 on July 25, 2023, 10:19:54 pm
You likewise wouldn't be able to use that excuse if you receive a private parking charge notice (for parking on private land).

You won't be the first private hire driver in London to need a pee/stretch your legs whilst working - Might be worth trying to find any online forums/social media groups etc. for PH drivers. I'm sure there'll be some where you can ask around other drivers who'll have local knowledge of suitable places.
Title: Re: Permitted parking for Private Taxi
Post by: cp8759 on July 25, 2023, 10:09:05 pm
I'm afraid you don't get any sort of exemption in residents or pay and display bays. You'll just have to do some research and find some time-limited free parking. It's not super-central but the Surrey Quays shopping centre has free parking and public toilets, I'm sure they'll be similar places dotted around.

If you get a council PCN for being in a residents' bay or a pay and display / pay by phone bay, saying you were using the bathroom won't be a ground of appeal.
Title: Re: Permitted parking for Private Taxi
Post by: hirerspcn on July 25, 2023, 10:04:11 pm
Sorry. Yes I mean private hire driver
Title: Re: Permitted parking for Private Taxi
Post by: cp8759 on July 25, 2023, 10:02:50 pm
Taxi means you have a hackney licence, do you actually mean you're a private hire driver?
Title: Permitted parking for Private Taxi
Post by: hirerspcn on July 25, 2023, 09:56:36 pm
Hello, I currently work as a private taxi driver and was wondering wether if it would be unreasonable for me to park in resident bays or other parking bays for me to go use the bathroom etc.

Most of the time i am far away from home, it is very difficult to find free parking (mainly in central london) and bathroom close to each other.

I ask because I don’t want to get hit with a PCN and not get out of it.