Taxi Driver Online

The Sunderland Echo

April 21, 2008

Who picks up tab for cabbies' MoT?

Taxi drivers face forking out their own cash for a health check to prove they are fit to ferry passengers.

As reported in the Echo, cabbies will now have to undergo a full body MoT under new rules by District of Easington Council, to bring them in line with lorry and coach drivers.

But the medical checks will incur a cost of about £70, but could be more, depending on the GP.

Speaking at a council meeting, Keith Parkinson, environmental health and licensing manager, said: "The driver is responsible for the cost. Whether the taxi company pays for the driver is down to each company to decide."

Today, taxi drivers welcomed the new medical tests, which a driver will need on first applying for a licence and every five years between the ages of 45 and 65. After 65 they will be checked every year.

But taxi firms have also said they are concerned about the cost, which is on top of the £56 a year a driver has to pay for a hackney carriage and private hire licence badge.

Nancy Kennedy, owner of Kenna's Taxis, based in Princess Road, Seaham, said: "Unfortunately, I think with most taxi companies it's going to be a case of the driver paying for his own test.

"I phoned Deneside Medical Centre to see what the cost was and they said £70 a driver.

"I know it's only every five years and I do welcome the idea - for the public safety it's a fantastic idea - but I think there should be some sort of Government help towards paying."

The driver MoTs were approved by councillors amid fears that hackney carriage and private hire vehicles could be out on the roads for long periods with drivers who could be suffering from disabilities or even heart conditions.

The Government has been urging local councils across the country to demand a once-over from the doctor before taxi drivers are allowed on the roads.

Councillors have also approved plans to extend the maximum age taxis may be licensed.

Previously, hackney carriages and private hire cars could only be licensed until five years old, or six years if council inspectors found the vehicle to be in exceptional condition.

But now the age limit has been increased to seven years, due to advances in the manufacturing quality of vehicles.

This age limit will now also apply to purpose-built taxis and those adapted to be wheelchair accessible, which were previously permitted to be licensed as long as they passed council mechanical inspections.

Vehicles must be less than five years old when they are first licensed.
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