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Covid-19 means Edinburgh licences extended three months
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Author:  StuartW [ Sat Mar 28, 2020 11:48 am ]
Post subject:  Covid-19 means Edinburgh licences extended three months
Think this is a bit of a red herring. Makes it sound like they're paying simply for vehicle inspections that aren't taking place, but it seems to be more about licence renewal fees rather than the inspections as such. I mean, it's not like an ordinary motorist being charge for an MoT that won't happen.

Of course, it's entirely reasonable to question whether renewal fees should be payable at this time, but it's not just about vehicle testing.


Taxi drivers being made to choose between test fees and feeding families by Edinburgh council

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/ ... il-2521224

The council’s test centre shut last week.

Taxi and private hire drivers are being asked to choose between feeding their families and paying £350 for postponed council tests, a union official has claimed.

Scott Blair, from the Edinburgh Unite Cabs section, said drivers were being asked to stump up the money for licencing tests despite the Edinburgh City Council test centre being closed due to coronavirus.

He said: “The council said they will extend drivers’ plates given they can’t be tested but they still want the money.

“Guys are being asked to make the decision to feed their families or pay their test fees.”

A renewal of a taxi licence costs a driver £348 but drivers are not able to have their vehicles tested due to the licencing centre’s closure.

Mr Blair said the council’s inaction is particularly damaging as the majority of drivers are self-employed with almost all of their trade disappearing as the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

He said: “Everybody realises what is going on. We have got guys volunteering out there for the NHS and helping them travel freely.

“The DVLA have given six month extensions to MOTs, for example, hopefully that time it will have blown over and drivers will be back on their feet.

“We want to help and there are guys wanting to help but the council throwing this in our face is atrocious, especially to ask for money at this time.”

A council spokesperson said: “As the current situation with the coronavirus pandemic continues, we’re working hard across all service areas to identify where we need to make changes.

“We are very aware of the licensing issue and are urgently considering solutions to support the trade and drivers through these challenges.”
Author:  edders23 [ Sat Mar 28, 2020 5:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Edinburgh Unite complains licence renewal fees still pay
same for us renewals have to be done and paid for
Author:  Sussex [ Sat Mar 28, 2020 6:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Edinburgh Unite complains licence renewal fees still pay
I can't see the problem.

Basically the council are saying is that we will renew your license but, at present, you won't need a vehicle test.

Wouldn't we be slagging them off if they said you can't renew unless you get a test, even though the testing center is closed.

Down here the council have said any MOT will suffice, from any garage, and many garages are grateful for that work.
Author:  edders23 [ Sat Mar 28, 2020 7:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Edinburgh Unite complains licence renewal fees still pay
none left open round here they have all closed but the one we normally used is squeezing in a few until Tuesday at which point it's the owner on his own doing paperwork and maybe the odd quick job for regular customers

He called me Friday afternoon and quickly got compliance test (mid term) done on Tourneo with one of the Zafiras due by end April we are trying to get that quickly through an MOT on Monday but at least he is helping us out to keep us on track
Author:  StuartW [ Sat Mar 28, 2020 9:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Edinburgh Unite complains licence renewal fees still pay
Sussex wrote:
I can't see the problem.

Basically the council are saying is that we will renew your license but, at present, you won't need a vehicle test.

Wouldn't we be slagging them off if they said you can't renew unless you get a test, even though the testing center is closed.

Down here the council have said any MOT will suffice, from any garage, and many garages are grateful for that work.

Indeed, but suspect they're looking at Fife on the other side of the water and seeing that you don't have to submit a renewal there until further notice. And obviously renewal fees a burden for many at this time.

And Mr T said all Sefton licences extended by six months =D>

But all this is just underlining the mess of rules, practices and procedures in the trade, with 350 UK councils all doing their own thing.

On the other hand, the MoT extension for ordinary motorists applies throughout the UK, and it's reasonably clear to all what's going on with that.
Author:  StuartW [ Thu Apr 02, 2020 12:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Edinburgh Unite complains licence renewal fees still pay
Licencing fees deferred after Edinburgh taxi drivers forced to pick between paying and feeding their families

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/ ... es-2525485

Edinburgh City Council announced the move following the Evening News highlighting the issue last week.

Edinburgh City Council have granted taxi drivers and other licence holders a three month extension.

The move came three days after the Evening News highlighted that taxi and private hire drivers were being asked to choose between feeding their families and paying £350 for postponed council tests.

Scott Blair, from the Edinburgh Unite Cabs section, had claimed drivers were being asked to stump up the money for licencing tests despite the Edinburgh City Council test centre being closed due to coronavirus.

He said: “The council said they will extend drivers’ plates given they can’t be tested but they still want the money.

“Guys are being asked to make the decision to feed their families or pay their test fees.”

However, the decision has now been made to extend the licence for taxi, private hire car, civic and housing of multiple occupancy (HMO) licences for three months.

Council leader Adam McVey said: “We’ve been working really hard in challenging circumstances to find the right solution for licence holders, while making sure it is legally sound.

“I’m very pleased that we have reached agreement on this and that it’s now one less financial pressure on the taxi and private car hire trade and other licence holders as like everyone else their lives will have been turned upside down.

“My thanks to officers, and the convenor, Councillor Fullerton, who have worked hard to help us come to this position and the taxi industry and drivers themselves for their input.

“We’ve also made a commitment to report back to our next Leadership Advisory Panel on the implementation of this decision and we’ll monitor the need for further support where we can.”
Author:  Sussex [ Thu Apr 02, 2020 8:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Covid-19 means Edinburgh licences extended three months
I can see a number of councils looking at the level of fees charged to the trade at this time. (and I don't mean up)

One quite near to me is doing exactly that. =D>
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