themodelcommuter

The only truly effective way to combat lunacy while commuting is to introduce a Commuting Licence which would work in a similar way to a drivers licence. While the following is not yet legislated it really should be. Please note that while the Commuting Licence as defined here is for London it can and should be easily adapted for other areas.

Types Of Licence

The following types of licence are available:

Provisional Licence (CL1)

A temporary licence given to people studying for their full licence, the provisional licence allows people to travel during restricted times under the supervision of an instructor. Provisional licences are valid for one month.

Temporary Licence (CL2)

Available for visitors, tourists and children under the age of 21 who are not eligible for the young persons or family licences, the temporary licence allows people to travel during restricted times under the supervision of a guide, or, in the case of school children, a teacher with a valid teachers licence. The licences can be purchased for 1 day, 1 week, 1 month or one year. Unsupervised travel with a temporary licence is not allowed.

Young Persons Licence (CL3)

The young persons licence allows children between the ages of 16 and 21 to travel during restricted times provided they require public transport to travel to a place of work or education. The young persons licence is valid for one year.

Full Licence (CL4)

A full licence is available to anyone over the age of 21 and is valid for one year. Full licence holders may travel via any form of transport without restriction.

Family Licence (CL5)

The family licence is an extension to the full licence and allows a full licence holder to take up to two named children between the age of 5 and 16 on public transport during the restricted times. A family licence will only be issued if the children require the use of public transport to travel to and from a place of education. The licence will only allow the named children to be escorted.

Teachers Licence (CL6)

A special temporary licence allowing a teacher to accompany up to 5 children between the ages of 5-21 during restricted travel times. Multiple teachers licences may be used where a large group with many teachers is required. The teachers licence is valid for 1 day. Note, each child being escorted under a teachers licence requires a valid temporary licence.

Guide Licence (CL7)

The guide licence is a special licence required by those who wish to act as guides for temporary licence holders. The guide licence also acts as a full licence and is valid for one year.

Instructors Licence (CL8 (type 2-7))

A licence allowing the holder to instruct provisional and temporary licence holders. The instructors licence comes in a number of different grades allowing the holder to instruct for different licence types. The instructors licence also acts as a full licence and is valid for one year.

Examiners Licence (type 2-8)

A licence allowing the holder to examine people going for their licence. The examiners licence comes in a number of different grades allowing the holder to examine for different licence types. The examiners licence also acts as a full licence and is valid for one year.

When You Can Travel

Passengers are now required to purchase both a full ticket for the entire length of their journey and hold a valid Commuter Licence if their journey takes them on a commuter route between 07:00 and 10:00 or 16:30 to 19:00 Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. A commuter route is defined as:

Obtaining Your Licence

The process for obtaining a licence can depend on the licence type your are applying for. Please refer the the relevant section to find out how to apply for your licence.

Provisional Licence

Your provisional licence will be sent to you automatically after a successful application for your full or young persons licence (see below).

Temporary Licence

A temporary licence is available from most major stations. You will be asked to sit a short test before your licence is issued. Upon passing the test the licensing office will charge you and issue you with your licence. Usually you may specify which duration of licence you require, however, in cases where the test was a borderline pass the month and yearly licences may be refused. You may sit the test as many times as needed, however, please note there is a charge for taking the test.

All Other Licences

All other licences may be obtained by applying in writing to the Licensing Bureau or in person at one of the licensing offices, which are available at most major stations. In the case of a full or young persons licence application where the applicant is not renewing an existing licence a provisional licence will be sent out. An examination date is also provided. On successful completion of the examination you will be given your licence. Please note that proof of requirement will be needed for a young persons and family licence and that a full licence is required to apply for a licence over CL4.

Penalties and Offences

Travelling during commuting hours without a valid licence is deemed a serious crime and as such is a capital offence. Failure to produce a valid licence when challenged by a commuting enforcement officer will result in swift and immediate punishment. There will be no exceptions.

Acting in a manner that is considered against the commuting code, that is in a way that it is anti social or inconsiderate to other commuters, will result in the immediate withdrawal of your licence. You will be required to exit the transport network at the earliest opportunity and will not be allowed to continue your journey until it is outside of commuting hours. Furthermore, if you are stripped of your licence a second time you will be banned for life from applying for anything other than a temporary licence.

If you see behaviour that is against the commuting code please report it to the nearest guide, instructor, examiner or commuting enforcement officer.

Note that commuting licence bans may be used as forms of punishment for other crimes outside the remit of commuting (for example, loss of your driving licence will also carry an automatic commuting licence ban).

Road Transport

Cars and road transport are not covered by the commuting licence as they are a separate problem that require a solution of their own. It should be noted, however, that owners of large 4×4’s who cannot demonstrate valid need to own one will automatically suffer a lifetime ban from applying for anything other than a temporary licence.