
1 

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Taxi Licensing (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 and come into operation on 10th April 2020.
(2) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 applies to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
2 

(1) The Taxi Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
(2) After regulation 3 (application for a taxi licence) insert—“
3A. 

(1) Paragraph (2) applies where a taxi licence granted in respect of a taxi before 10th April 2020 has expired in the 31 days ending with 9th April 2020 or expires in the 6 months beginning with 10th April 2020.
(2) The Department may grant a taxi licence in respect of the taxi (an “automatic renewal licence”) as if—
(a) an application had been made for a taxi licence in respect of the taxi;
(b) the licence applied for were of the same Class as the licence mentioned in paragraph (1); and
(c) the Department were satisfied as required by section 13(3)(b) of the Act and regulation 7(1) or (2).
(3) An automatic renewal licence granted in respect of a taxi has effect for the purposes of the Act (and these Regulations) as if it had been granted on an application and after inspection of the taxi.
(4) An automatic renewal licence is subject to the conditions specified in Schedule 1A in addition to the conditions specified in regulation 11.”.
(3) After Schedule 1 insert the Schedule set out in the Schedule to these Regulations.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Infrastructure on 8th April 2020
Chris Hughes
A senior officer of the
Department for Infrastructure

SCHEDULE
Regulation 2(3)
“
SCHEDULE 1A
Regulation 3A

The owner or driver of a taxi in respect of which an automatic renewal licence has been granted shall—
(a) comply with the statutory requirements, as defined in regulation 7(5);
(b) ensure, for the duration of the licence, that there is in force in relation to the use of the taxi a policy of insurance or such security as complies with the requirements of Part 8 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981;
(c) ensure, for the duration of the licence, that the taxi is kept in a roadworthy condition including continued servicing of the vehicle and the carrying out of basic checks such as looking out for brake wear, checking tyres, and ensuring that all lights are working and that oil and windscreen liquid are at correct levels;
(d) ensure that the taxi has not, since its last inspection by the Department—
(i) undergone any modification or alteration, which has reduced its roadworthiness; or
(ii) been significantly altered to the extent that it no longer complies with its M1 certification,
for the purposes of the licence;
(e) ensure, for the duration of the licence, that the taxi—
(i) does not undergo any modification or alteration which would reduce its roadworthiness; or
(ii) will not be significantly altered to the extent that it no longer complies with its M1 certification,
for the purposes of the licence; and
(f) ensure that the plates (in the case of a Class A or B licensed taxi) and the signs (in the case of any class of licensed taxi) most recently issued in respect of the taxi continue to be displayed in accordance with regulation 12 and (in any case) that the automatic renewal licence is retained in the vehicle.
”