motorised rickshaw

[moet]

i have previously been a pedicab rickshaw rider,but to be honest its not very safe and carryin 3 heavy weight tourists is no fun.. i have bought a motorised diesel one now that can carry upto 320 kgs.. its taxed , mot seatbelt lights the lots but i cannot get a licence from the public carriage office, can i oerate a fre service and only accepts tips if passengers want to give, or donate all profits to charity... if i did that would i still be a taxi tout and liable to prosecution even though its techicaly a fre service?

[Buenchico]

I think that it's likely you'd fall foul of the 'reward' part of the law (and insurance requirements relating to 'hire and reward').

I recall a case in the newspapers where a regular customer called her local one-man taxi service but the guy was already committed to another job. His wife took the call and, rather than upset the customer, she said that she'd pick her up and take her to her destination. She made it clear that she would make no charge because it would be unlawful for her to do so. Unfortunately, while carrying the passenger, her car was involved in an accident. The taxi driver's wife ended up in court, where it was ruled that simply trying to maintain goodwill for her husband's business constituted 'reward' in law. So accepting a tip (even if it was for charity) might also be regarded in the same way.

Chris