Age limits for taxi and private hire vehicles in East Renfrewshire have been scrapped to help drivers as they deal with the impact of the cost of living crisis. Restrictions meant no vehicle over five years old could be licensed for the first time - and no vehicle older than 10 years could remain licensed.
But campaigners from trade bodies called on East Renfrewshire Council to change its policy, arguing it was outdated and costly for workers. At a meeting today, the council’s licensing committee agreed to remove limits for all private hire cars and taxis working in the area. They will still need to pass annual inspections and MOTs.
It is believed the need to spend on new vehicles has acted as a deterrent to drivers renewing their licences and reduced availability for residents, a council report stated.
“On the basis that routine inspection will ensure both the mechanical safety and cosmetic appearance of licensed vehicles, there appears no fundamental reason why age limits should not be removed,” the report added.
“This will both assist drivers to maintain a living in difficult economic times and ensure a sufficiency of licensed vehicles for the benefit and use of the East Renfrewshire public.”
Trade bodies, including the Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA), the Scottish Taxi Federation (STF) and East Renfrewshire Hire Car Forum, had asked the council to remove the age limits.
Following the licensing meeting, John Paul Duffy, convenor of the East Renfrewshire branch of the SPHA, said: “It has been our position that if a vehicle is deemed fit to pass the council’s compliance test and an MOT then there is absolutely no reason why it should be prevented from operating just because it has reached an arbitrary age limit. We’re pleased the council has agreed with our position and voted in favour of this change.”
James Kyle, who chairs the East Renfrewshire branch of the STF, added: “It’s no secret that the trade has been struggling to recover from the pandemic, and now the cost of living crisis is biting hard. This will give vehicle operators a bit of breathing space and hopefully will allow the trade to overcome some of the economic challenges.”
Campaigners believe the removal of the restrictions will allow drivers to buy more affordable, lower-mileage vehicles and continue operating cars that are still in good condition despite their age. The council report highlighted the “consistent use of annual vehicle inspections” as well as MOT inspections will “ensure the expectations of the taxi fleet of the council are upheld”. It stated the inspections are “carried out with precision and rigour”.
“The additional requirement authorising that a vehicle can be called in to be inspected by the local authority inspector, the DVLA and the police at any time adds additional insurance in this matter,” the report continued. “It means that if there is a concern for the general roadworthiness of a vehicle within the period of the one-year annual inspection then this can be acted upon at the ‘reasonable request’ of any of these authorised individuals.”
Wheelchair accessible vehicles in East Renfrewshire were already able to be of any age at both first licensing and thereafter.
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... e-31827727
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