Hyndburn Council considers ending ‘In House’ taxi MOTs

Proposal aims to offer taxi trade more choice and support local garages

Hyndburn Council considers ending ‘In House’ taxi MOTs
Image: Bigstock

Hyndburn Council is proposing to end its ‘in house’ MOT testing for taxis and private hire vehicles. The council’s cabinet will recommend to the Full Council that taxi testing be externalised, with the authority delegated to the Council’s Licensing Manager to draft a new policy.

The proposal intends to provide more choice and flexibility for the taxi trade, support local garages, and stimulate competition. Currently, taxi testing is conducted by council staff at the Council Vehicle Maintenance Unit (CVMU) in Church.

The new policy would allow local garages within Hyndburn to apply to be on a list of approved testing sites. Hyndburn’s licensed taxi and private hire drivers have expressed concerns about the council’s MOT testing station, with some threatening strike action in February 2023.

Council Leader Cllr Munsif Dad stated that the initiative aims to enhance services for the taxi trade and support local businesses. He added that the proposed changes would offer more flexibility and choice to taxi proprietors and bring additional business to local garages.

Under the new policy, local garages meeting the required criteria will be able to apply for approval, and taxi proprietors will contact these garages directly to book tests. The council will cease taxi testing at CVMU, and the licensing team will revise its procedures to accommodate the changes.

Source: Lancs Live

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