Taxi Driver Online

I assumed the mention here of 'black cabs' meant the HCs here were, er, 'black cabs'

But it then says only 11 WAVs are registered at present. Does that mean it's a mixed saloon/black cab HC fleet?

Anyway, even assuming they're all black cabs, a 17-year age rule from later this year, and a 14-year age rule from 2028 doesn't seem too onerous. And two years extra for WAVs, whatever that means

Might have a look down the committee papers rabbit hole later on


New Loughborough taxi rules approved despite concerns some drivers can't afford it

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news ... d-10794700

It's all part of efforts to reduce pollution in the borough of Charnwood

New rules for Loughborough's black cabs have been approved, despite concerns they could put some drivers out of business.

The new regulations, approved by Charnwood Borough Council's (CBC) Licensing Committee last night (Tuesday, February 3), are designed to bring the district's policy into line with national guidelines and those of neighbouring boroughs.

The move is designed to phase out older, higher-pollution vehicles. By December 1, drivers must own a vehicle with at least a 2009 plate to renew their license. By April 1, 2028, the plate will have to be at least a 2014.

The new rules give an extra two years to wheelchair-accessible vehicles – of which only 11 are currently registered.

However, councillors urged the committee to consider giving the same leniency to drivers of older vehicles, warning that many can't afford to buy a new car within the year.

Councillor Glenn Matthews, of Birstall West ward (Conservative), was the only councillor to abstain from voting in the new regulations, saying he wouldn't be comfortable supporting a motion which could threaten local people's livelihoods.

He told members: "They are going to read that letter and think: what have I done to deserve this? Some of the taxi drivers – it will not be an option for them.

"They're driving a Euro 4 car – that tells me they can't afford a better car. You are putting them out of business."

"Can they not be helped? Give them a greater opportunity to build their finances."

Officers argued these vehicles would likely fail an MOT anyway and pointed to other clauses in the regulations which do support local black cab drivers.

The council is relaxing the number of times a year newer cars must be tested and scrapping the one-fail-barred rule, which meant older vehicles are immediately banned from re-testing if they fail.

They are also introducing a 20% discount on all license fees for fully electric taxis to incentivise uptake, with no such cars currently registered in the district.

In a survey distributed to taxi drivers and residents, over half opposed the proposal.

Licensing policies are expected to change again in 2028, when Charnwood Borough Council is replaced by a new unitary authority as part of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

Officers told members they did not know if those guidelines would be stricter or softer on taxi drivers.

So a bulb going out on the way for the test would have made the difference between a vehicle continuing in service, or scrapped?

Found the agenda paper easily enough. For a change.

But I wouldn't recommend it for bedtime reading, even after a quick skim through. Not because it might send you to sleep, but because you might lose the will to live

Anyway, I think the answer to the black cab/WAV thing is that the policy is about all cars under the council, thus HCs and PHVs.

So they're moaning about 17-year off rule for mainly saloons, and 19-years off for WAVs?

But most interesting is probably the bit about the testing.

Could be wrong, but looks like at present that any car over 6-years old can't be resubmitted for test it fails. But it can be represented for test as a new plate. Or something like that

So they're letting prehistoric cars on the road, but getting exceptionally sniffy about relatively new cars simply failing a compliance test

At least they seem to be relaxing it all. But you'd need a spare couple of days to take in all the detail in here

https://charnwood.moderngov.co.uk/docum ... Review.pdf

And, for what it's worth, a summary of the policies from neighbouring Leicestershire councils, including Melton

https://charnwood.moderngov.co.uk/docum ... Review.pdf

compared to most they seem to be more lenient but another good example as to why National standards would be helpfull .

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

The melton age limits are now wrong. They were changed last week after further consideration. It is now under 10 years for first plate and off at 15 years All must be EURO 6.