Taxi Driver Online

Hyndburn taxi licence shake-up proposed by council

A local authority is considering shaking up its licensing regime for older taxis and private hire vehicles.

It is also proposing the removal of the requirement for all of them to carry a fire extinguisher and first aid kit, both of which are currently mandatory in Hyndburn borough.

Now the council is consulting on removing the requirement from its Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

It is also looking at reducing the frequency of road worthiness tests for vehicles aged between 10 and 15 years old.

A Hyndburn Council spokesperson said: "Currently all vehicles should carry a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher.

"We are considering removing this requirement for the following reasons.

"If a vehicle is on fire, the advice given by the fire authority is to leave the vehicle and move away from it, and the fire extinguisher in the vehicle would not be sufficient to put out an engine fire.

"Only a trained first aider is permitted to administer first aid so a condition which requires the driver to carry a first aid kit would appear to be unreasonable.

"Currently all vehicles over the age of 10 years have to be tested three times a year and are only issued with a licence for four months, excluding hybrids.

"However if a vehicle over the age of 10 years passes its test the first time on three consecutive occasions, it will be issued with a six month licence on the third occasion.

"This was introduced as an incentive to encourage owners to maintain older vehicles to a high standard.

"The licensing manager has now been asked to commence a consultation relating to the first aid kit and fire extinguisher requirements.

"The proposal to be consulted upon would amend the conditions to allow all vehicles between the age of two years and 15 years to be granted with a six months licence regardless of whether they are hybrid or not.

"Once a vehicle reaches the age of 15 years it will revert to three tests a year and be issued with a four months licence.

"Comments should be submitted to Hyndburn Council licensing department before 4pm on August 8."

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IDFIMH

If those requirements are in the by-laws it's not going to be a five-minute thing to remove.

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IDFIMH

hallelulah a council has finally seen the light !

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

Well the first aid kit and fire extinguisher stuff is straightforward enough, but I can't understand the stuff about the testing regime, and can't be bothered looking it up. I suspect someone has made a boo-boo


Hyndburn's taxi road worthiness tests regime eased

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... ime-eased/

Senor councillors have approved a shake up of its licensing regime for older taxis and private hire vehicles in an East Lancs borough.

Hyndburn Council believes the change will in increase the number operating in the borough and improve public safety.

Now all vehicles over the age of 10 years have to be tested three times a year for road worthiness and are only issued with a licence for four months, excluding hybrids.

However if a vehicle over the age of 10 years passes its test the first time on three consecutive occasions it will be issued with a six month licence on the third occasion.

Under the new scheme all vehicles over the age of two years and up to the age of 15 years will be tested twice a year and be issued with a licence for six months at a time.

Once a vehicle reaches the age of 15 years it will revert to three tests a year and be issued with a four months licence.

The changes to Hyndburn Council's Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy approved by its Cabinet meeting in Wednesday also removed the requirement for all of vehicles to carry a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.

The meeting was told the current policy was leading to a shortage of taxi and private hire vehicles in the borough and encouraging drivers to go elsewhere for a licence and working in Hyndburn diminishing the council's that enforcement powers.

A report to the meeting said: "A shortage of licensed vehicles to service the night time economy could have a detrimental effect on public safety.

"It could lead to people having to stand around longer waiting for a taxi or private hire, or taking the risk of walking home very often in a vulnerable state.

"A shortage of licensed vehicles could also lead to rogue unlicensed vehicles picking up customers illegally. Women are particularly vulnerable late at night."

I suspect the simple word 'now' there is misleading. I took it to mean 'from this point on under the new testing regime', whereas I think it's actually meant to mean 'at this point in time, before the new testing regime is implemented'

So the older the car gets, the fewer tests it may have to undertake?

Makes perfect sense.

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IDFIMH

There are several earlier threads related to this, but this is maybe the most recent one.

But in the grand scheme of articles about this sort of thing, this one is pretty unremarkable, apart from the back story


Hyndburn Council set to scrap 'in house' taxi safety testing

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... y-testing/

AN East Lancashire local authority is proposing to end its controversial 'in house' MoT testing for taxis and private hire vehicles.

Hyndburn Council's ruling cabinet will be asked on Wednesday to recommend to the borough's Full Council meeting that taxi testing be externalised, with the authority delegated to the Council’s Licensing Manager, in consultation with the portfolio holder, to draft a new policy for consideration.

The proposal aims to provide more choice and flexibility for the taxi trade, support local garages, and stimulate competition to potentially offer better value for money services.

Currently, taxi testing is conducted by council staff at the Council Vehicle Maintenance Unit (CVMU) in Church.

The new proposal would invite local garages within Hyndburn to apply to be on a list of approved testing sites.

Hyndburn's licensed taxi and private hire drivers have long been complaining about the council's MOT testing station and calling for an independent privately-run alternative.

In February 2023 they threatened to go on strike over the issue, alleging 'unfair treatment’ at the council’s MOT centre.

Leader of Hyndburn Council, Cllr Munsif Dad said: “This initiative is about enhancing the services we provide to our taxi trade while also supporting local businesses.

"By externalising taxi testing, we can offer more flexibility and choice to taxi proprietors, which is a positive step forward for our community.

"The proposed changes will not only benefit the taxi trade but also bring additional business to local garages, creating growth within Hyndburn.

"We are committed to ensuring that all vehicles meet the highest safety standards, and this new approach will help us achieve that goal.”

Under the new policy, local garages that meet the necessary criteria will be able to apply to be on the council’s approved list. Taxi proprietors will then contact these garages directly to book their tests.

The council will cease taxi testing at CVMU, and the licensing team will review and amend its current administration procedures to facilitate the proposed changes.

This is an earlier thread about the row over testing standards and procedures, and the strike threat.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39296&p=424457

And, of course, Hyndburn is not to be confused with neighbouring authority Pendle, where's there's also an ongoing row about testing etc, but that's the one about the app

The council is really bigging up the change of policy.

It does beg the question as to why it didn't happen 20 years ago.

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IDFIMH

By the time this all gets sorted out it'll be driverless cars anyway


Hyndburn Council seeks views on new taxi testing regime

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... ng-regime/

An East Lancashire local authority is seeking views on its plans to outsource the roadworthiness testing of its licensed taxis and private hire vehicles.

In May, Hyndburn Council’s cabinet decided to end its 'in-house' MOT testing for such cabs, which had proved controversial among some drivers.

Currently, it requires taxis and private hire vehicles to undergo mechanical testing and inspection by the council’s Central Vehicle Maintenance Unit (CVMU) in Church.

The test covers all MOT items, plus the council’s supplementary testing items. Upon passing the test, a Certificate of Compliance is issued.

The current cost for this test is £52.50.

The council are proposing to outsource taxi testing so that any garage that meets the proposed set criteria will be able to carry out the test.

The testing requirements would remain the same as now, and the Certificate of Compliance will be issued by the testing garage.

Hyndburn's licensed taxi and private hire drivers have long been complaining about the council's MOT testing station and calling for an independent, privately-run alternative.

However, concerns were raised that private garages may not be as thorough as council-run tests, meaning potentially unfit vehicles could be used on the roads.

The new proposal would invite local garages within Hyndburn to apply to be on a list of approved testing sites.

Now, as part of drawing up the details of the new policy, Hyndburn Council is asking members of the private hire and taxi trade, garage owners, taxi passengers and any other interested parties to give their views on its proposal to externalise taxi testing.

The authority’s leader, Councillor Munsif Dad, said: “Changes to the way in which taxis are tested in the borough are being proposed to offer more flexibility to those in the trade.

“By externalising the process and allowing local garages to undertake the testing, we will also be providing a boost to our local businesses.

"We see this as a move that will benefit everyone and ensure that our local taxis are road safe and ready to chauffeur the people of Hyndburn.”

The consultation is open until July 14 through a link on the council’s website.