Taxi Driver Online

I thought there was a recent thread on this, but trade dissatisfaction with the testing process in Blackburn has been rumbling on for years and years.

(Tempted to look back a few years for someone called Tiger Patel?)

Anyway, whether public opinion has persuaded them here, or whether public opinion is just being used to promote a fait accompli, I'd guess the 'safety' narrative being promoted means councillors will rubber-stamp the official recommendation


Passenger safety at the heart of taxi MOT testing recommendations

https://theshuttle.org.uk/passenger-saf ... endations/

Published Monday 29 December 2025 at 14:18

A report to the upcoming council Executive Board meeting recommends making no changes to current MOT testing arrangements for taxis licensed in the borough.

Currently, taxi drivers licensed with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council are required to utilise the council’s motor vehicle service station (MVSS) for their MOT testing, at Davyfield Road. Staffing arrangements at the MVSS are adjusted to try to book in test and retest slots within 24 hours of a request.

At a meeting on Thursday 8 January, Executive councillors will consider a report which includes the results of a consultation carried out earlier this year, where local taxi operators, drivers and the general public had the opportunity to give their views on how taxi vehicles have MOT tests.

The majority of taxi operators and drivers used the consultation to tell us they would prefer the council to allow them to use any MOT testing station in the borough, however, the public disagreed.

A survey was undertaken with 500 residents across the borough in July 2025. 84% stated vehicle safety was extremely important. 58% stated they would prefer taxi MOTs to be carried out at a council run MOT testing station only, with an additional 24% stating council approved testing stations.

Therefore, a recommendation has been made to maintain the current arrangement.

Councillor Jim Smith, Executive Member for Environment and Resident Services, said:

"Public confidence in taxi safety is key, and we’ve received a clear message from our residents that MOT tests must continue to be undertaken by the council.

"One of our corporate missions as a council is to build healthier, happier and safer communities; and this decision is crucial to achieving that.

"The recommendation to continue with our existing arrangements to use the service station at our Davyfield depot is made with consistency and safety in mind."

If the Executive Board approves the recommendation to continue with the Council’s MOT testing station being used for taxi MOTs, a further review will be scheduled for 2028.

The problem is that the recommendations will ensure more drivers will license via Wolverhampton. Which is what no one other than the basket case council wants.

Allowing more local testing stations to undertake approved taxi testing is a no-brainer. The council can still control whatever tests are required, and drivers will have more options/testing slots.

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IDFIMH