Introductory

1 Meaning of “private hire vehicle”, “operator” and related expressions.

(1)

In this Act—

(a)

“private hire vehicle” means a vehicle constructed or adapted to seat fewer than nine passengers which is made available with a driver F1... for hire for the purpose of carrying passengers, other than a licensed taxi or a public service vehicle; F2...

(b)

“operator” means a person who makes provision for the invitation or acceptance of, or who accepts, private hire bookingsF3; and

(c)

operate”, in relation to a private hire vehicle, means to make provision for the invitation or acceptance of, or to accept, private hire bookings in relation to the vehicle.

(2)

Any reference in this Act to a vehicle being “used as a private hire vehicle” is a reference to a private hire vehicle which—

(a)

is in use in connection with a hiring for the purpose of carrying one or more passengers; or

(b)

is immediately available to an operator to carry out a private hire booking.

(3)

Any reference in this Act to the operator of a vehicle which is being used as a private hire vehicle is a reference to the operator who accepted the booking for the hiring or to whom the vehicle is immediately available, as the case may be.

(4)

In this Act “private hire booking” means a booking for the hire of a private hire vehicle for the purpose of carrying one or more passengers (including a booking to carry out as sub-contractor a private hire booking accepted by another operator).

(5)

In this Act “operating centre” means premises at which private hire bookings are accepted by an operator.