Taxi Driver Online

Barrow taxi drivers angry at having to pay more for licence

https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/18236020 ... y-licence/

TAXI drivers are furious at having to fork out for long licences as they approach retirement.

In the latest dispute between Barrow’s taxi trade and council, drivers say they should be allowed to be on a one-year licence to take them towards retirement, something not currently offered by licensing bosses.

They are urging the council to change the policy.

Barrow Borough Council bosses said a consultation is currently under way to look at taxi policy providing an opportunity for drivers to make themselves heard.

Taxi driver George Harkin said: “We have an ageing taxi driver community of which some are planning their retirement dates and I have been approached by some of the taxi drivers that have asked the licensing authority for a one year taxi licence due to them retiring within the year.

“The licensing authority has refused - adding unnecessary costs to them.

“I believe it is reasonable for the licensing authority to show respect, fairness and equality to these long serving drivers and for the licensing authority to use good practice and common sense to issue one year taxi driver licences.”

Cllr Tony Callister, spokesman for licensing and public protection, said: “It is a legal requirement for all drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles to obtain a licence to operate.

“This is to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users.

“Since 2015, licenses are granted for a period of three years which is not only good value for drivers, but offers them a more streamlined and efficient application and approval process.

“A phased implementation was introduced and our current policy is to issue three year licences, in the absence of any other limitation that would cause the Council to issue a shorter duration licence.

“It is also in line with many other local authorities across the country which have already adopted this process.”

A three-year licence costs £309. A one-year licence for private hire cars costs £168 and £189 for a Hackney Carriage licence.

Article was doing OK until the very final paragraph.

Presumably the £309 for a three-year licence is about badges, but the one-year licence figures are about plates?

But I suspect that for the general public (ie 99%+ of readers) the distinction between badges and plates would be totally lost on them, and the last paragraph would just confuse the hell out of them

Current fees.

https://www.barrowbc.gov.uk/business/li ... sing-fees/

I think it's madness to not offer a year or two year license. Charge drivers pro-rata.

If drivers have a medical the following year it's not fair to charge them for something they might not need.

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IDFIMH

They cannot refuse if requested by the applicant to grant a 1 year license.

Indeed, but there is nothing stopping them charge the 3 year rate for a 1 year license.

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IDFIMH

Agreed,but think they could be challenged as the costings for a 1 year license are less than for a 3 year license.

How are the costings any different? Do the Council have to do less work when putting one date on than they do putting a different date on?
Our argument here has been that there was no justification for charging MORE for a 3 year badge than a one year badge.

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Grandad,

Does your Council not do any checks in 2nd or 3rd year or any enforcement as that is the only way that the costs for a 1 year license could be the same.

They don't appear to do any checks in between license renewals and they are looking at adding an additional charge for enforcement.

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Grandad,

ours does a dvla license check every year doesn't yours ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I think that's a converstaion we could have had prior to the Wakefield judgement viewtopic.php?f=13&t=35205 , and I think most of us on here would agree there shouldn't be any difference.

But times have changed and councils can now justify the difference.

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IDFIMH

I don't remember them asking for a check code every year.

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Grandad,

Ours does, they just ask permission every three years.

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IDFIMH