Taxi Driver Online

Seem to recall a similar article from Dundee a few years ago, but can't find it, so maybe I'm thinking of somewhere else


Council staff ‘threatened’ at Dundee taxi test centre over failed inspections

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/du ... tre-abuse/

Council bosses have blasted the "unacceptable" rise in abuse aimed at workers by drivers.

Staff at a council-run Dundee taxi test centre are being threatened and abused by some drivers over failed inspections.

Council chiefs have blasted an “unacceptable” rise in abuse aimed towards workers at the Marchbanks depot on Harefield Road.

Taxi drivers are required to get their vehicles tested at the site to make sure they are safe and roadworthy.

They also need to have their vehicles put through an MOT separately.

With several vehicles having failed tests in recent months, some drivers have become irate at the council workers responsible for inspecting them.

Dundee council mechanics ‘exasperated’ by taxi driver abuse

One source told The Courier some staff no longer want to work on taxi checks.

He said: “If the vehicles are failing these checks, the staff at the depot are being subjected to verbal abuse with threats of violence.

“It’s now at the point where mechanics don’t want to work on taxis – they are exasperated by what’s going on.

“These taxis are being failed because some of the cars are in an unacceptable condition.

“It’s known as a ‘police test’ so it is strict.”

Chris Elder, who represents some taxi drivers through Unite the Union, says the issue came up at a recent meeting with the local authority.

He condemned any threats being levelled at staff.

He said: “The tests are strict and there are a number of cabs failing currently.

“I can understand drivers’ frustrations – it’s their livelihood – but no one should be or feel threatened in their place of work.

“After the liaison meeting, we asked if this was an issue with fleet or individual cars (failing tests) and it appears it’s across the board.

“Due to the rate of failures, the retest fee has increased above the retail price index. It was £19 and it’s now £50.

“The trouble is, the majority are good taxi operators, and it feels like this blanket measure to increase the fee is punishing the entire trade.

“I would urge drivers to get their vehicles checked before taking the taxi test.”

‘Increase in unacceptable behaviour’ towards Dundee taxi test staff

A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “Unfortunately we have seen an increase in unacceptable behaviour towards our staff.

“Any aggression or abuse towards our staff is unacceptable and we will deal with this in the appropriate manner.

“All vehicles licenced as taxis and private hire cars must pass a vehicle inspection test in addition to providing a valid MOT certificate prior to being licensed to ensure that they meet required standards.

“Where a vehicle does not meet this, we will not pass them.”

Maybe the council should mandate CCTV with audio in the testing stations.

Might solve the problem.

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IDFIMH

whilst I don't condone the drivers actions maybe there is an element of frustration here that cars are passing MOT's but the not the council tests.

I vaguely remember something about Dundee years ago but think it was to do with the testing regime rather than abuse ?

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Nothing good will come from being rude or hostile to test centre staff - you'll just acquire a reputation and life won't get any easier. I don't get anywhere near the actual tester in Glasgow, only the desk staff speak to you. Probably better that way.

That said, I was talking to a PHD who'd been failed for one (of two) number plate bulbs. He'd replaced it, returned as instructed for a re-test and been kept waiting for nearly 2 hours. And was understandably not very pleased.

Like most things, the truth's probably somewhere in the middle.

I think it's better to make a formal complaint than have a stand-up row with the testers.

Having a row makes you feel better for a minute or two, but seldom gets you what you want.

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IDFIMH

I'd suggest a lot of it is down to the fact that a lot of cab drivers (ph and hc) don't bother even having a quick look round their cars every so often to see what might be wrong with them. they rely on the annual test to act as a safety check then fix what's wrong with it rather than having stuff fixed before it goes wrong, although that's not always possible. Admittedly things like bulbs can blow at any time, a tyre can blow at any time. But some of the faults I've read about are just down to plain simple neglect.

The most stupid thing one of my cars failed on was a rear indicator bulb not being orange enough!! the mechanic changed it for a new bulb which seemed to be the same amount of orange as the first one.

The knack is to get the car serviced at the specified intervals and get it looked over by an independent garage before going for the annual test. The car MoT test relies on the absolute minimum standards. Taxi and lorry and bus tests are to a higher standard.

^ This

And for me, going to a test in a dirty vehicle is an avoidable mistake - first impressions last etc