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Private hire drivers no longer subject to drugs test


Private hire drivers may no longer be subject to in-service drugs test.

At a Harlow Council cabinet meeting, councillors discussed the necessity of private hire drivers being drugs tested and the fees related to the drugs testing, which are paid once a year, will be removed.

Councillor Tony Durcan told councillors that in the last five years only one person had been tested positive for drug use.

He said: "I think there was a cost of inconvenience, remember these are small businesses. As the cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, I am very worried that businesses could be losing money as a result of a test that is not necessarily required.

"It also balances the books. There was an inequality. You can get into a private hire cab and expect them to be drug tested but if you get into a black cab you don't."

Cllr Durcan added: "We were one of the few councils that decided to introduce this at the time, and now we can reflect on it."

Cllr Eddie Johnson reminded those at the meeting that Hackney Carriages are covered under legislation unlike private hire vehicles.

"What we have to remember when that was set up, and I was part of it, it was different legislation covers Hackney Carriages and they are covered by legislation so that there is some guidance and controls there whereas the private hire that we were trying to tidy up in the town, and have, did not have that so it was a comfort for our residents."

Councillors agreed to the recommendations provided by the licensing committee to end the requirement of drugs testing for private hire drivers.


Read more: http://www.harlowstar.co.uk/Private-hir ... z3GhWIuNiS

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