Taxi Driver Online

There are obviously concerns here about how the independent garages conduct the vehicle inspections, and the meter testing in particular.

But wholly unsurprising there might be, er, variations in this kind of thing in an authority with less than 500 cars but 15 independent testing stations

Of course, it'll all be understated by the official council version of things, but personally I wouldn't trust 15 independent garages in my area to check the meters in a road test under any circumstances...


Council tightens regulations on centres testing taxis

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/sco ... ing-taxis/

East Dunbartonshire Council has tightened up the regulations surrounding centres which carry out roadworthiness tests on taxis and private hire cars.

Authorised testing centres, of which 12 currently operate within the local authority, ensure that vehicles meet current safety and specification requirements and that taximeters are set to the correct rate of fees and charges.

They also provide certificates of compliance to drivers applying for new taxi or private hire licenses which must be renewed annually or twice a year if the car is more than five years old.

The new policy, which was unanimously approved at the council’s audit and risk management committee, will see a requirement for garages wishing to register or renew their status as testing centres to submit new application forms listing all approved staff who will be carrying out the inspections, as well as the method they will use to check taximeters.

Certificates from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency verifying the eligibility of all designated testers will need to be submitted with applications, along with proof of insurance and ID.

Although registering as a testing centre is currently free, a fee will now be imposed on applications.

Areas of road deemed suitable for testing taximeters will be specified and anyone applying for tester status must confirm they are using these stretches of road or another that has been approved by the council.

Inspections of testing centres will be carried out by DVSA and the council, the latter of which will mainly be to ensure everything is properly certified although other checks may be carried out if needed.

The council has previously considered taking all such testing in-house, but this is not currently considered viable as it would require recruiting staff with skills where there is already a shortage, and also the cost of these staff would result in high licensing fees.

B&H has about 1,100 vehicles and seven approved testing centers, and none of them pay any fee.

I think that works well, as I or my colleagues never have a problem booking a test.

The council also will not approve another center unless there is a proven demand, sort of SUD for garages.

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