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Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Michael Whitwoeth on March 4, 2008, 5:07 pm
Mike Whitworth - Administrator

Does anyone know where we stand legally test driving private hire cars. I have had several discussions with various people today that suggest I am not able to drive a private hire car unless I am a licenced taxi driver by the local authaurity?

I have asked my insurance brokers for clarification on this. It would seem we have to remove the taxi plates which then leaves the vehicle with no mot, this would mean I had to use trade plates to remain within legal boundries.

Any thoughts or experiences aprecciated.

Mike

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by PAUL WINWRIGHT on March 4, 2008, 7:45 pm, in reply to "Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Paul Winwright

Trade Plates do not cover you for having no MOT only for no vehicle tax.

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by martin young on March 4, 2008, 7:58 pm, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Martin Young

mike
i spoke to our local council about this and they said i couldnt drive taxis or private hire without a licence but when i pointed out that i want it in writing that i am not permitted to do roadtests after brake faults etc and only drivers can roadtest there own cars they relented and sent me a letter stating i am an authorised repairer
martin

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by ian(n) on March 4, 2008, 8:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Ian Nicholas

Paul-I didn't know that!! phew!! i've driven loads now with no tax/mot (on plates)
is that info definitive?
(mind you, i could always say i've booked it in for an mot)

ian(n)

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Tony Sefton on March 4, 2008, 9:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"

I thought that our Insurance stated that we could Drive "ANY MOTOR VEHICLE" in our Custody or control.

If the Vehicle is Tested by the Ministry then it is Tested. Wheres the Problem. ???

And as Iann says it can be in for repairs for the mot. ?

All that you should be fobidden to do is pick up fare paying passengers. ???

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Sean Connelly on March 5, 2008, 8:37 am, in reply to "Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Sean Connelly

Hi Mike,

As we are the designated test station for testing hackney & private hire vehicles for our local licensing authority it always use to be the case that we had to have both hackney and private hire licenses.

However, last year they decided this wasn't really needed, though we do not have anything in writing. But yes, we do have trade plates which we can use, but don't always.

However, when we're driving them on the road we are in the middle of testing them, so its a requirement for us.

I know the licensing authority are very keen that Hackney Vehicles are only used for taxi-ing, i.e. they can't be used as private transport, but private hire is ok. Therefore, I'm sure it would be ok for you to drive them.....don't forget a Taxi MOT is much stricter one than a regular MOT anyway (well it is in the Macclesfield borough).

I guess this doesn't really help.....best contact your local licensing officer and have a word with them, they will tell you exactly what they would want.

Regards

Sean

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Michael Whitworth on March 5, 2008, 7:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Mike Whitworth - Administrator

Hi Sean and others,

I have had a call from my insurance company today who have confirmed I am definitely covered to drive ANY motor vehicle in my care.

It would seem that the insurance is not an issue and I would agree the MOT test is not as keen as the taxi plate.

I did speak to the licensing people yesterday and categorically stated that ONLY a driver licensed for private hire can drive a licensed private hire vehicle for any purpose!!! I said this is crazy he said thats what the law states.

He took the trouble to check for me and could not find any provision for road testing before/after or during repairs, He said the driver must test drive it.

He also said that at least one taxi garage he knows have got their mechanics licensed in order to allow them to drive their cars!!

So if he is right whose law is it and who would do you? The council? the police? the local magistrate? maybe I am making a mountain out of a mole hill but I think as an industry we need clarification.

Mike

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Keith Simpson on March 5, 2008, 9:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"

Now and again we repair police cars / crime provention cars, when going on test drive we have to cover up the blue light ect with a cover saying out of service. I rang my insurance company today as this post got me thinking, and was told I could test drive no problem.

Keith

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Phil Dunmore on March 5, 2008, 10:49 pm, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Philip Dunmore

I have a solution, don't work on Taxi's. All the ones in our area want it done yesterday for nothing.

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Richard Endean on March 6, 2008, 1:36 am, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Richard Endean

Well said Phil.. We have CCJ's on more than one taxi operator in our area. They usually start up again in their wife's/Kid's/Dog's name and the cars are so worn out that they're not worth seizing.
Richard

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Michael Whitworth on March 6, 2008, 7:47 am, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Mike Whitworth - Administrator

Hi Phil,

>>>>I have a solution, don't work on Taxi's. All the ones in our area want it done yesterday for nothing<<<<

I do work for at least six local taxi firms not mechanical, just diagnostics and electrics. They pay the same as everyone else and they get no special treatment and its done when its done.

Its usually owner drivers who are worst, they will tell you they are losing money while you have their car. If they start that I tell them to take it elsewhere, that usually shuts em up.

Mike

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Tom Williams on March 6, 2008, 11:36 am, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Tom Williams

Hi,

We used to do Taxi tests for Bucks County Council (Slough area). The actual test schedule looked as if it had been drawn up in the nineteen fifties. Amongst other things it stipulated the brake drums and wheels must be removed.
The problem we had was that most taxi owners coming to us insisted that they had been driving for years and no test station had ever removed the wheels.
Word soon spread that we were testing according to the book and so we didn't see many taxis.
I mentioned this to the local licensing authority but they didn't at all interested. I think there were other reasons for this, If you know the Slough area, you may guess.

TW

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Aidan Birley on March 6, 2008, 6:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Aiden Birley

Hi

This private hire is always a can of worms. First problem is that they are operated by local council, which can all have different rules, so what applies in one area, may not in others. added to that the staff often don't understand there own rules so will always advise on the safe side.

As for driving license, my view is that these are issued by DVLA, any local license can only relate to use of vehicle i.e taxi or private hire , but thats just my view.

While we are on the private hire subject, there is an argument that if you drive a customer home, you need to operate under private hire rules, vehicle, driver etc. This is because it can be said you are doing it for hire / reward, even if it is indirectly so.

Cheers Aidan

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Shaun Dale on March 6, 2008, 8:27 pm, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Shaun Dale

Scary really!
I've done work on several occasions for a local taxi firm and roadtested them.....never even gave it a thought, after all my insurance says "any vehicle in my care or control" or words to that effect.

Shaun

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by aidan.birley on March 6, 2008, 8:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Aiden Birley

Hi Shaun

Motor trade insurance will say any vehicle, but will also say providing you have valid license for that class of vehicle. e.g.I drive HGV's on mine, but need and a HGV license to do it.

I agree I can't see a problem with cars, but that's my view. Problem is finding someone who will give a definitive answer

Cheers Aidan

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Michael Whitworth on March 6, 2008, 10:47 pm, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Mike Whitworth - Administrator

Hi Aiden,

>>>>I agree I can't see a problem with cars, but that's my view. Problem is finding someone who will give a definitive answer<<<<

Exactly

Mike

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Sean Connelly on March 7, 2008, 9:21 am, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Sean Connelly

Hi Tom,

We've got round that problem....we are the only authorised test centre for our licensing authority...they have to come for us and the licensing officer wants us to be strict...they want to get rid of the old cars....thats why if its more than 6 years old, it gets tested twice a year :-)

It is right, every licensing authority have there own rules and we've worked with ours to redo the documentation to bring it more up to date.....though we aren't allowed to take any wheels off....but they won't let any privacy glass in the back.

Cheers

Sean

Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!

Posted by Shaun Dale on March 11, 2008, 10:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Test Driving Private hire cars!!"
Shaun Dale

Hi Aiden (and all),
I wouldn't try to drive an HGV on my insurance as I don't have a licence (driven them round the yard though)but a Peugeot 407 is still a Peugeot 407 whether or not it's got a silly plate on the back

.
It's the definitive answer bit that's the problem.
Shaun

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