Taxi Driver Online

Bedford Cabs taken out of service in evening spot checks


SAFETY CHECK: Police inspect a cab at the Brunel Road test centre

Random spot checks have found almost a third of taxis and private hire cabs stopped are unroadworthy.

On Thursday night Bedford Borough Council’s licensing team along with Bedfordshire Police were part of an operation to check the safety of Bedford’s taxi and private hire fleet.

During a three-hour period six out of 19 vehicles examined had their licences ‘prohibitioned’ by the police.

The ruling means they are unable to trade until their cabs and taxis pass an MOT and are given the green light by the police and the council to continue work as usual.

The operation saw police officers instructing drivers to go to the council’s test centre in Brunel Road, Bedford where their motors were checked over by mechanics and trained police personnel.

Council licensing officer, Brian Leask who oversaw the checks said: “We purposely carried this out on a Thursday night because you will find that drivers will move heaven and earth to get their vehicles up to scratch to continue trading on a weekend.

“While there are six vehicles that have been prohibitioned out of 19 the council oversees a fleet of 700 and this is just a snapshot and not reflective on all vehicles.

“This is not in place to see how many drivers we can catch out.

“A successful night would see no cars prohibitioned but we have a good relationship with the trade and we continue to work with it.”

source: http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/News/

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

An interesting comment.

However if they don't get the problems solved, at any time, they will never get back to work.

_________________
IDFIMH

they haven't done one here for 10 years but the three occasions they have were either Friday or saturday because they wanted to catch the weekend only brigade not the regular full time cabbies

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Why are you confused?
If a vehicle fails an inspection it is given a PG9 off road notification. This can be delayed or immediate but basically, in the case of an immediate PG9 the plates are removed from the vehicle by the council official and the vehicle can't be used until the faults are rectified and a new MOT or certificate of complience is issued. This is then taken to a police station where you get the PG9 lifted. You can then take the notice that the PG9 has been lifted and your new MOT or CofC to the council and they will return your plates. With a delayed PG9 you still have to pass the MOT or CofC and get the PG9 lifted and take the paperwork to your council.

_________________
Grandad,

Thank you for the very interesting explanation but I'm not confused about that

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!