Taxi Driver Online

On another thread the issue of diabetes has come up. The PCO's site says;

Medical Fitness
Taxi and private hire drivers are professional drivers carrying passengers for hire and reward. The Licensing Authority has determined that for this reason a higher standard of medical fitness is required than that needed for a standard DVLA driving licence. The standards applied, called Group 2 Standards, are those required for drivers of large goods vehicles, buses and coaches. The standards are based upon DVLA Group 2, and are similar to those required for drivers of large goods vehicles, buses and coaches.

If you apply to be licensed you will be required to prove your medical fitness by undergoing a medical examination with your GP. It is difficult to cover all possibilities, but certain conditions such as epilepsy, poor eyesight, insulin treated diabetes and serious heart problems could result in an application being refused. If you are in any doubt about a condition you have, you may wish to consult your GP before you apply.

The words 'could result' stand out, and it would appear that each applicant is viewed separately.

Alex

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Simply the best taxi forum in the whole wide world. www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Mr Sirius posted this information on the other thread.


These are serious issues, I was under the impression that each case of some of these sorts of illness was to be looked at on an individual case basis?

7. Taxi Drivers - Applied Medical Standards

7.1. Mrs S Martin from Drivers Policy advised the Panel that they had contacted 487 local authorities to ascertain the medical standards that they were applying for the issuing of a taxi licence. Of the 487 letters issued, 286 responses were received. Of these 126 authorities apply Group 2 standards although, within these, 28 will allow drivers with insulin-treated diabetes to have a licence. Fifteen authorities apply Group 1 standards and of the remaining authorities, 32 will allow drivers with insulin-treated diabetes. To summarise, out of the 286 responses from the authorities, 75 of these will allow drivers with insulin treated diabetes to hold a taxi licence. It was again emphasised to the Panel that DVLA do not have any jurisdiction over the issuing of taxi driver licences over and above the issuing of an ordinary driving licence, and have no intention of undertaking this role.

7.2 The Panel was advised that in Northern Ireland Group 2 licensing standards are applied for the issuing of taxi licences. These licences are issued by the Road Transport Licensing Division of DVLNI (Driver Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland


http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/medical/ ... _5_Nov.htm

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Simply the best taxi forum in the whole wide world. www.taxi-driver.co.uk

There some interesting links that may give us a little clarity.

http://www.diabetesireland.ie/view.asp? ... he=nocache

One particular link really caught my eye.

http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/bestpractice.htm

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IDFIMH

We can understand why this thread came up, although he doesn't give a [edited by admin], we have a lot of sympathy for him on this.

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Who's been "Editing" my mailbox then ...lol

No sympathy required but appreciated anyway. I would start thinking about the guys that you and I know who really are in the [edited by admin].

I will fight this because that's just what I do and not because I want to drive a taxi.

I have had a few taxi drivers get in touch with me and they are [edited by admin] themselves.

Its the whole nine yards, the kids, the car, the mortgage, need I say more.

You know where you can find me if they need any help with this.

I have a huge amount of sympathy for anyone that has to stop working because of diabetes.

Part of the problem is the mish mash of different policies different councils have. As that piece from the DVLA shows it's all over the place.

If a driver gets his license suspended in one manor, he can go and work in the next one. Now what sense does that make.

Let's hope the gov guidelines are accepted, and drivers are treated on a one to one basis.

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IDFIMH

I spoke the Head Consultant at OHSA he old me that they had been in consultations with Edinburgh Council since 1999. But the CEC implemented the Group 2 requirement in April 2005 and they did it with full knowledge of the pending Government guide lines.

There has been cases fought and won by ambulance drivers and firemen and needless to say I am going to take them all the way and hopefully sue them for loss of earnings as well.

Does anyone know what the state of play is down in London? I know that some cabbies have had the same problem.

This next part is for RealCabforce, RealCabforceforum, and Mr T, 187ums.

Is this they type of benevolent dictatorship you want everyone to buy into to the tune of what, 40K-60K.

The CEC never informed anyone as to their intentions on this and apparently London was the same. The opportunity for people to get their finances in order or to retrain for new jobs was not even considered.

Where do you think the trade was on this issue, what is this great taxi trade that you all go on about?

I am one of the lucky ones I don’t have [edited by admin] loads of debt tied up in my name, but some of the guys will lose everything just at the stroke of a pen. This is the kind of power you hand to local authorities when people are obsessed with plate values and not their own personal and professional self-worth.


We are pawns on a chess board to these people and they would think nothing of sacrificing anyone of you for their own political or personal agenda. It’s not about what is in it for you it’s about what is in it for them.

Your thoughts?

IT WAS IN SEFTON....MRT

Can you elaborate just a little?

The CEC never informed anyone as to their intentions on this and apparently London was the same. The opportunity for people to get their finances in order or to retrain for new jobs was not even considered.

LOOK THROUGH THE BACK ISSUES OF P.H.M

http://www.phtm.co.uk/?inc_id=2

I have not had a chance to look back P.H.M but i will.

What month?


I hope you are not suggesting that I should have to go to a Private Hire Trade magazine to find out about new medical legislation to be implemented.

Is this how they informed the taxi drivers in London?


The B.D.A told me that London council went the same way as Edinburgh.

Our aim from day one has been to raise standards in the trade, both actual and as perceived by the public. Now we hope you find membership of your National Association so attractive that nobody in the trade can afford not to be a member!

For further details contact Bryan Roland or Donna Short

The NATIONAL PRIVATE HIRE ASSOCIATION
8 Silver Street
Bury
Lancs
BL9 OEX

It's Private Hire and Taxi Monthly, these days.

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Needless to say this is the first I have seen this. It probably gives you some idea of how parochial the whole aspect of being a Taxi driver in Edinburgh is.

All you ever here about is that bloody plate value and how there is “no unmet demand” while everyone is running faster on their little treadmill wondering where all the work is going.

I think the last thing Black Hacks would look at is a PH magazine even if it would do them some good. They pass the knowledge and then disappear up their own arse.

At first glance it looks quite good, I will look into it, thanks.



Have you got anything to do with this mag?