Taxi age and testing policy consultation
This consultation is now closed
Don’t forget you can still have your say on improving council services by clicking here to join our Citizens’ Panel.
Overview
This consultation is to invite views on proposals to change the age policy guidelines and hackney carriage and private hire vehicle testing regime. It also seeks views on the provision for disabled taxi services in Bridgend.
Background and information
The current age policy requires all hackney carriage and private hire vehicles to be new when first licensed. There are some exceptions currently which relate to private hire vehicles, wheelchair accessible vehicles or specialist vehicles.
The Council currently issues MOT exemption certificates following each test.
The proposal
This proposal will primarily affect applicants for new hackney carriage and private hire vehicle licences. The Council is proposing that the existing age policy be changed as follows:
Two classes of vehicles will be introduced, Class 1 being a standard saloon, multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) or wheelchair accessible vehicle not fitted with an automated wheelchair lift, and Class 2 being a wheelchair accessible vehicle that has been fitted with an automated wheelchair lift.
It is proposed to amend the current age policy for both hackney carriage and private hire vehicles so that Class 1 vehicles, when presented for their first licence, will be under 5 years old and Class 2 vehicles, when presented for their first licence, will be under 10 years old.
In addition it is proposed to change the frequency of testing as follows:
It is proposed to amend the policy so that vehicles up to 10 years old will be tested twice per year and vehicles 10 years or older will be tested 3 times per year.
In addition it is proposed that the current testing regime be revised so that:
hackney carriage and private hire vehicles will be tested in accordance with the MOT regime administered by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Alongside the MOT test, it is also proposed that vehicles will be required to undertake an additional compliance test, in accordance with the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles National Inspection Standards, produced by the Freight Transport Association, that includes items that would not be covered by an MOT test (such as a taxi roof-light).
How to respond
This consultation period will begin on the 18th December and close on the 31 January 2018.
Don’t forget you can still have your say on improving council services by clicking here to join our citizens’ panel.