Taxi drivers demand change to test rules
Taxi owners in Dudley are demanding a change to the rules which mean they have to fork out up to £500 in vehicle tests every year.
Current policies are 'outdated' and are hitting drivers in the pocket, according to members of Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association.
Taxi owners have to pay £230 for their vehicle test and licence application every year but drivers of older cars, over six years old, face having additional tests during the year to ensure their taxis are safe.
Rules limiting the colour of taxis to white only were scrapped recently following a campaign by drivers, including 'slow drives' past the council house in Dudley.
The association says the change has allowed more of its members to change their cars meaning there are less older cars on the roads.
But under current rules cars aged between six and eight years face two tests a year and those aged over eight need a test every four months.
Additional tests can cost £153.40 under current guidelines.
Association chairman Shaz Saleem said: "The policy is outdated now. We are now seeing newer cars which is good for people in Dudley .
"This policy should change as it is hitting people in the pocket."
New proposals which will go before the committee say vehicles aged between six and 10-years-old should be subject to six monthly tests.
Vehicles 10-years-old and above would still receive four month tests under the proposals.
A report from Philip Tart, the strategic director who oversees the taxi committee, said: "The hackney carriage/private hire trade have made representations through the taxi focus group that the committee review the current policy in respect of the testing of vehicles, it has been proposed that the committee amend the current policy."
Association members have also raised separate concerns over the confusion of policies over renewing taxi licences.
Mr Tart, in the report, said: "The way applications for the renewal of vehicle licences are processed has caused confusion amongst the trade and has also caused staff major problems as it is quite often misinterpreted."
Both matters will be discussed at the taxi committee meeting on Tuesday at 5.30pm at Dudley Council House.
