Decision due on need for taxi driver medicals MORAY Council will decide this week whether taxi drivers should submit a medical report with their licence applications.
The requirement was one of several agreed last year as part of a review of taxi licensing conditions, although it has not been progressed.
Now the council’s licensing committee will be asked to either reaffirm or reverse its decision.
The committee will be told that although the taxi trade initially backed medical reports on the grounds of public safety, the latest consultation suggested they believed the measure was unduly onerous and unnecessary.
Council officers say that the cost of commissioning reports would fall on the local authority initially, although it could be recouped through an increase in licensing fees.
A report to Wednesday's committe meeting says: "It is estimated that the cost of reports would be at least £100 to £125 each and approximately 200 would be required per annum. This is a total estimated cost of £20,000 to £25,000."
Under the existing system applicants are required to disclose any medical conditions which might affect their ability to drive, and are asked specifically about heart problems and diabetes.
If issues are identified, a report is sought and paid for by the licensing authority.
The report to Wednesday’s committee meeting adds: "Under self-disclosure, very few reports are required.
"That implies that for a large percentage of applications the report would be of no added value unless prospective drivers could be said to be concealing medical conditions.
"There is no evidence to confirm this and no ‘hidden’ medical conditions have been found."
source:
http://www.northern-scot.co.uk/News/Dec ... 082015.htm
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