Taxi Driver Online

Taxi licences will be automatically renewed confirms Northern Ireland's Infrastructure Minister


Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has confirmed that taxi vehicle licences which have expired or will expire during the current health emergency will be automatically renewed.

The move ensures that vehicles that have previously been tested and deemed suitable to operate as taxis can continue to operate at this time.

The Minister had previously announced all vehicles with MOTs due will be given temporary exemption certificates, however new legislation was required to temporarily exempt taxis from taxi vehicle tests.

Speaking as the legislation comes into effect, Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: “The taxi industry plays an important role in our transport network and during this very challenging period I want to support all of those who are working every day to ensure the public can make essential journeys.

“Taxi licences are normally issued for a one year period and are renewed following successful completion of a taxi test. However, to ensure customers and the public are protected from any further spread of COVID-19, testing of taxis and all vehicles is not currently possible.

“I know that this has been a difficult time for the industry and the legislation I have now brought forward will ensure that a vital service remains in place for those who need it, as well as giving some reassurance to those working in the industry and whose livelihood depends upon it.

“Automatic renewals will be for a six month period and will be issued free of charge. There is no application process and those with licences that have expired recently or are due to expire shortly, will be prioritised.

“Alongside Executive colleagues I pushed for the British Government self-employment package – but while this may go some way to help those affected more must be done. I can assure the industry that I will do all that I can with my responsibility on regulation and will continue to work with Executive colleagues to press for additional support for those struggling during this challenging time.”

New licences will be issued by the Driver and Vehicle Agency to all affected vehicles over the coming weeks, and drivers have been told they should be carried in the taxi at all times.

Owners or drivers will be required to ensure that their vehicle complies with statutory requirements, is appropriately insured and is maintained in a roadworthy condition.

In addition, vehicles should not have been significantly altered or modified since their last inspection, and for the duration of the licence.

They should also continue to display their existing plates and signs. Drivers have also been warned that a breach of these conditions may lead to revocation of their licence.

https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/post/taxi- ... e-minister

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

Not sure if this article has been posted, but I think the rest of the country should follow suit

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

Couldn't agree more.

Having listened to the Chief Medical Advisor today looks like this mess is going on for quite a while longer. Maybe not as harsh as we have it now, but this social distance lark is going to be with us until we get a cure or a vaccine.

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IDFIMH

No trade for the foreseeable future,will not deliver meals etc,my license is for carrying passengers.

I'd deliver meals etc if it was feasible and I'd make a bit of cash, but I think it's more a voluntary thing, and I'm not really in a position to risk the car breaking down or risk getting involved in an accident or whatever for a bit of sweetie money.

I'd even deliver stuff for Tesco, or whatever, on a freelance basis, but I don't think they do that. And what about these mythical jobs? I looked on the Tesco, Asda and Morrison's 'careers' websites when it all kicked off, and would have considered delivery driving or shelf-stacking in Dundee (where there's an overabudance of their stores), but there was nothing at all locally, or in fact for much of Scotland.

I daresay their delivery vans were fairly well utilised already, so probably not that much spare capacity for extra drivers. And despite all the stuff about long waits for deliveries, I doubt they'll put on extra vans to deal with it - more profitable just to keep people waiting for a while. And, of course, their vans will be sitting idle overnight when they don't deliver - something else I'd have considered, because I'm generally awake most of the night anyway, but they won't do that either.

Anyway, got an email from Tesco this morning (must be registered with them for something or other ) and amidst the shopping stuff there was this interesing nugget:


In other words, you're now expendable, so feck off

But all done in the nicest PR-speak, as per usual

In a similar vein, I see the B&Q mega-warehouse in Dundee is reopening

Again, more PR-speak about safety, screens and social distancing, but there's this interesting line about home improvements:


Er, wait a minute, I thought home improvements stuff wasn't allowed, and thus wasn't considered 'essential' shopping

I thought only essential repairs were allowed under the lockdown rules, not a shiny new kitchen or bathroom

Of course, the PR blurb gets more on track later in the article:


More like it, but definitely mixed messages here from B&Q's 'comms' department

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/lo ... -lockdown/

I think the DfT need to issue instructions to local authorities extending every driver, vehicle and operator license for 6 months without charge.

Businesses with premises are able to claim so much back through their business rates - our businesses are on our driveways and a good number of them are subject to finance agreements and of course, they still need insured.

In the grand scheme of things our license fees would cost very little to subsidise, and bearing in mind not council licensing department is functioning normally, it shouldn't be much of a problem.

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

One of our vehicles' licence runs out tomorrow. We didn't have to MOT it and w didn't have to have the Council inspection (yes we do have both) but I did have to pay thr renewal fee for the plates. so what this will probably mean is that in 6 months time I will have to have both an MOT and a council inspection which will then be 6 months out of kilter with the plates. So this time next year I will probably have to have the Council inspection done again but then it wont be in line with the MOT unless I have both done again.

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Grandad,

had to do one of mine the start of this week got it tested on Saturday as one of the local test stations is still working on a limited basis then had to pay for the plate and post all the documents off

BUT the council are not issuing plates so the vehicle has to run on the out of date one

Mind you talking to the owner of the garage (just him and his wife working MOT's taxi tests only) some of the vehicles who normally go elsewhere have been going to him and failing

1 of the Peterborough based drivers turned up but his car failed because the meter set on Peterborough rates but not registered with the council as those rates council told testing station to remove plate but the driver had jumped back in the car and fled !!

AN ex driver of mine whom we parted company with due to the constant state of his vehicle went in and was failed without completing the test due to substantial accident damage. He rushed it into local bodywork place and got it done then represented the car a few days later tester got in and thought car feels odd put it on the ramp........................


........................BOTH back springs broken

And to top it all driver had told the council only a 2 inch scratch and sent a photo of just 1 bit of the damage

Funnily enough I haven't seen him out working this week or delivering his parcels for Hermes

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

They really can't do that.

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IDFIMH

Its the basics ffs

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

you state that as if you have to be thankful

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

Yes, and all this just underlines the inadequacy of having each local authority making up their own rules.

To be fair, though, no-one really knows how long it will all last and how precisely we'll all come out of it, so suspect many councils just playing it by ear at the moment and waiting to see how it all pans out.

And the self-employment support scheme really needs to be extended by another month (at least), if only to bring it into line with the furlough extension for employees

But at least any move on that will be announced centrally by the chancellor, and will apply to all indiscriminately.

Up here there's been a bit of a hoohah about the SNP Government using Covid-19 support cash from Westminster to secretly fund their favoured sectors and businesses rather than the more transparent method used in England. Glad any support I'm getting will be from the chancellor and will apply to all rather than having to be one of the SNP's favoured recipients