Taxi Driver Online

In the process of doing a new spec for Erewash in Derbyshire, and would welcome any feedback on tinted glass, bearing in mind on things like the Voyager, it's next to impossible to see inside.
Thank you gents (and ladies).

Eh? A what? I think you get these from Boots the Chemist?

I think that most councils only allow manufactures spec on most PHs and all HCs.

That I believe means that 75% of light must go through. Personally I think that's just about right.

Some councils allow a little flexibilty on exec cars side and rear windows, which can be tinted for up to 50%.

These links might help you out a little bit more.

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/publication ... mation.pdf

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/newsevents/ ... tblitz.htm

http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/assets/pdfs/l ... e_reqs.pdf

http://www.barnsley.gov.uk/service/lice ... itions.asp

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/licensing/phire_vehicle.pdf

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IDFIMH

I think some LAs ban tinted windows altogether, such as the Voyager and Galaxy.

But some mush took Darlington BC to court and won:

http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/1/low/england/3551516.stm

If you haven't already tried, a Google search throws up some council stuff:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ta ... ws+council

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Taxi Driver Online
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FIRST TINT OF TROUBLE

A cabbie who splashed out 25,000 on a new motor has been told he can't use it as a taxi.

Father-of-two Peter Young, from Dudley, bought the Ford mini bus to expand his tiny fleet of two saloon cars but taxi licence officials have said the vehicle doesn't meet regulations because it has tinted windows.

Now Mr Young, who started his own company Cougar Cabs in Longbenton last November, is having to turn business away and is losing clients.

He bought the eight-seater mini bus last Friday and claims tinted windows came as standard on the model.

Officials at North Tyneside Council said the tinted windows were a hazard and he would have to reduce the seating capacity to seven if he wanted to use it as a taxi.

The 37-year-old, who has been a taxi driver for five years, said: "This is really hitting my business when I'm just trying to make a go of things.

"It's going to cost me 500 to change the seating and probably another 200 to have the glass replaced."

"The windows came tinted with the car and I didn't have a choice, but I would say it's better for the passengers because they will have a little more privacy and the sun will not be as strong."

Mr Young, who has a licence for 12 vehicles, decided to expand the fleet so he could take large parties and wheelchair users, as well as passengers with large amounts of luggage to airports and stations.

He explained: "It's as if we have been kicked in the teeth by North Tyneside Council and we have this brand new mini bus which is just sitting there costing me 400 a month.

"The council said tinted windows would not allow anyone to see what was going on in the back.

"People have been asking us to take them to Newcastle Airport but we can't do it. And with Christmas coming up there will be lots of big bookings for party groups which we may not be able to take."

A spokesman for North Tyneside Council said: "We are trying to resolve this matter. Vehicles with heavily-tinted windows breach the council's licensing policy. Following talks, Mr Young has agreed to change the glass.

"Officers will be examining the vehicle and looking at the interpretation of our seating policy."

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Taxi Driver Online
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NEW rules are to be brought in to stop taxi drivers fitting tinted windows in their cars because enforcement officers can't see what is going on inside.

The regulations could be brought in after a meeting of Hyndburn Council's cabinet after it was revealed that a number of cars were being presented for testing with blacked-out windows.

It is feared that the tinting could stop council officers seeing how many passengers are being carried and could even lead to road accidents. The tinting could also be in breach of road vehicle regulations and could prevent people witnessing attacks on the driver.

Now the strict rules will be enforced on any new vehicles taken in for licensing.

A European Directive laid down in the 1980s states that the windscreen and front side windows must let more than 75 per cent of light through.

Police in East Lancashire have already launched a clampdown on ordinary vehicles after buying equipment which can measure the level of tint in windscreens.

Coun Peter Britcliffe leader of the council and portfolio holder for the environment said: "It breaks regulations for instance we need to see how many people are inside a taxi.

"If they have the windows tinted it would make it more difficult for our licensing officers. Officers are worried by this and it does break the regulations.

"The basic reason is it's important to be able to see inside taxis for the safety of passengers and drivers."

If the regulations are passed by the council a condition will be added to the 'testing manual' followed by the council. Officers will then use an electronic testing device to measure amounts of light passing through a window.

The condition will apply to all vehicles licensed for the first time after June 1 and to vehicles currently licensed which have been modified with a window tinting kit.

Cars currently licensed and with a manufacturer's tinted windows will not be affected.

Coun Tim O'Kane the Labour spokesman for licensing issues said: "It does make sense. You have got to ask why put tinted windows in? With all the other things that a taxi has to comply with to actually spend money on tinting them doesn't make much sense."

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Taxi Driver Online
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COUNCILLORS are to consider banning taxis and private hire cars from having blacked out windows.

Traffic police have already begun a purge on drivers with excessively tinted glass because they are breaking the law.

Now Calderdale Council Licensing and Regulatory Committee is considering carrying out a similar crackdown on taxi and private hire vehicles.

Members are being asked to impose an overall ban to protect the safety of passengers and the public.

A standard condition already exists which says vehicles can't change their design, condition, colour or appearance without prior approval of the council.

Windscreens of all licensed vehicles should only have manufacturers' standard tints.

Stephen Smithies, secretary of the Halifax Taxi Owners' Association, said he would totally agree with a ban.

"Hackney carriages do not have blacked out windows but I have seen one or two private hire vehicles that do.

"Blacked out windows are intimidating and I think that would be the perception of the public. There are some windows that are so black, you can't even see through them."

Councillors decide on May 10 whether to impose the ban after the issue was raised by Adrian Marsden (BNP, Mixenden).

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Taxi Driver Online
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I suspect most LAs allow the back windows to be tinted, but of course it only really becomes worth reporting when they try to ban them.

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Taxi Driver Online
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Some people are really as thick as pig's poo.

How can anyone spend £25,000 on a motor without checking to see if the council will plate it?

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IDFIMH

If window tints on private hire vehicles are going to be proscribed by l.a.'s then this should, of course, also aplly to stretched limousines

Excess passenger numbers & lack of seat belt wearers in limousines should be of the highest concern to licensing enforcers & police surely ?

I wonder how many stretch limousines with standard glass would remain on the road ?

Edinburgh allows limousines to have tinted windows http://manage.edinburgh.gov.uk/Licensin ... s/limo.pdf,
Glasgow allows it but here in Renfrewshire it is not allowed but you will still see tinted vehicles on the road because its officials have discretion (this means they can make up the rules as they go along)

All the best

Its interesting (and Fairway will back me up!)when the FX4 model arrived on the streets around 1960, they all came with blacked out rear windows for privacy! even though the side ones were clear?

Also someone mentioned a batty council licensing Fairways as private hire? again Austin done a private hire car version of the FX4 minus the pertition and roof light.

Boring but informative.

Must watch that new Fred Dibnah dvd i bought . . . . . . . . . .

No doubt that sold well

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Taxi Driver Online
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we had a london cab licensed as a ph down here a few years ago.
daft bint at the licensing office didnt know the difference.
surprised she didnt license it as a cab.

We have a few private hire and taxis that are completely blacked out, apart from the front windows.

They look very (as Sussex would say) iffy.

Flyer

Hi to all just came across this post i currently have a tinting company in glasgow, and the point on tinted glass is there is no law (from b posts back)on ANY car/taxi on the road in the uk so how can the council enforce something where there is no law in the first place and would passengers not prefer privacy, and reduce the sun glare and keep them cooler as tints reject over 50% of the suns heat, lastly tints you can see through what about the hacks you see with full bodywraps over them INCLUDING the rear screen so really there is a heavy contradiction going on there and lastly if a taxi was to be in a smash the passengers would be protected from flying glass as the tint would hold the glass in place
As for the crap of passengers being scared of not being seen well scared of what as the driver has been vetted in the first place
Rant over