Taxi Driver Online

Red tape 'strangling private hire drivers' in Hull


A FRUSTRATED taxi driver says council red tape is threatening to strangle the livelihoods of colleagues in Hull.

Private hire driver Terry Chester believes councillors should consider relaxing licensing rules because of the state of the economy.

He says many drivers are struggling to make ends meet because of the costs associated with various licensing requirements set by the council.

Mr Chester, who has been a private hire driver for 12 years, said: "It's getting harder and harder to earn a living.

"What I would like to see is a bit of leeway from the council.

"Instead, we are stuck with a set of rules and regulations that haven't really changed for decades."

Mr Chester, 58, who drives for Sutton Cars, said a rule he would like to see abolished is the one that limits the use of a private hire vehicle to the licensed driver.

"In my case, it means my wife can't drive the car when I'm not working.

"As a result, we have to run two cars, which these days is a very expensive business."

Mr Chester said the council's rule that all private hire cars must be less than eight years old was also too draconian.

"I know other places operate a 12-year rule," he said.

"If you maintain your vehicle properly, having a car that's over eight years old is not a problem.

"Instead, having to replace a perfectly good vehicle is another cost we could do without."

He said a private hire driver should also be given a place on the council's licensing committee.

But Councillor Sean Chaytor, the deputy chairman of Hull City Council's licensing committee, said regulations relating to private hire and hackney carriage drivers were reviewed on an annual basis.

He said: "Case law on the legislation regulating taxi licensing states that a private hire vehicle is always a private hire vehicle while it is licensed, and must be driven by a person holding a private hire driver's licence issued by the same local authority.

"Therefore, if the spouse or partner of the licensed driver wishes to drive the vehicle, for whatever reason, they must, by law, also hold a full private hire driver's licence."

Cllr Chaytor said the eight-year rule was reviewed as recently as last April.

He said: "Members decided the current condition relating to the eight-year age limit for private hire vehicles licensed by the authority should be retained.

"This was to ensure the travelling public are carried in vehicles that are safe, having regard to the potential mileage and the likely appearance and condition of a vehicle that is used for private hire work after that period of continued use."


Read more: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.u ... z2ajWZzM2Z

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

And which rules would he like relaxed the CRb/DBS check the MOT tests on the cars the medical check ? There have been enough problems in Hull as it is without making it easier for thiose with criminal intent to get into the trade or the age limits on cars enabling loads more people to flood into the trade and cut his earnings even further

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

Nothing the council can do, end of.

However the LC are/were of the opinion it is a daft rule.

I share that view, but understand there are pitfalls.

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IDFIMH

Interesting idea, but all members of the licensing committee a) need to be elected by the public, and b) are meant to be unbiased.

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IDFIMH

Funny Mr Chester doesn't seem to mention the biggest reason his earnings have taken a dive
The council relaxed the knowledge test for driver's and Hull has had a massive influx European driver's ???

So relaxing the standards even further will improve the situation I think not

from memory the rules were relaxed after requests from the trade - theyre now returning - due to requests from the trade.

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

Correct .

It's the same all over the country Mr, other people can't drive our Taxis other than the badge holder. Even the mechanic who works for us has a badge so he can road test vehicles and take them to the testing station, he even has to go through the whole badge process like medicals, CRB and driver licence checks from the DVLA.

He's even got a motor traders policy but the Council won't accept that.

Went there met em years ago incapable of organising themselves even with Union assistance ie in other words

£10 a month eff off

attend meetings eff off

councillors errrrrrrrrrrrrr

Vote in elections .............errrrrrrrrr

now they reap the benefit he he

but of course there were a few who were up for it unfortunately not enough to make a difference and they will suffer with the couldnt be bothered brigade

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

I recall asking this question before and the answer being mechanics are exempt, BUT only test driving to diagnose a fault or to check after repairs have been carried out. Not sure about the driving to a test station - might need a badge for that.

Should be ok for both.

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IDFIMH

weren't some councils issueing ID badges to spouses so that they could drive the vehicles as family cars ?

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

If the spouses apply and they meet the council's criteria then they are good to go.

Some councils have restricted PH licenses.

But they need a badge.

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IDFIMH

next he will want a nude only shopping center an a council employee to be his personal flapper wont he


its rules being adjusted to suit that has caused all the problems in taxiland

for many decades it was all fine an in just one decade the whole thing has been torn wide open by abusers

A similar consultation is currently underway with "the authorities" regarding the Driver CPC for bus and lorry mechanics. Law says they don't need a PSV/HGV for checking for defects and after repair, but go to the testing station and they need the whole lot! Raving mad pal.

I'd say it's the same for the taxi mechanic.