South Ayrshire Council News

Following an extensive consultation process with the local Taxi Forum and operators the Policy, Guidelines and Code of practice for the Licensing, Operation and Testing of taxis and private hire vehicles in South Ayrshire has been updated.

Councillor Peter Convery, the Council's Portfolio Carrier for Sustainability and the Environment said: "I would like to thank everyone who was involved in the consultation process for their co-operation. We all want the same thing, taxis and private hire vehicles that are fit for purpose and meet modern safety standards. It is reassuring to know that taxi drivers and private hire operators in South Ayrshire operate to very high standards, and that their facilities are fit for purpose."

The new guidelines, approved by South Ayrshire Council's Leadership Panel, will come in to force on 1 August 2008. However, any existing vehicles which do not meet the new standards will continue to be registered until the end of their existing registration period.

In addition all new applicants for taxi and private hire drivers licences, and all applicants for first renewal of such licences after 24 June 2008, will be obliged to submit a certificate from their General Practitioner confirming that they meet the Group 2 DVLA Medical Standards. Thereafter they will have to resubmit a certificate of renewal at age 45 and every 5 years thereafter.

Speaking about the submission of these certificates Councillor Convery said: "This regulation is being introduced for the safety of drivers and passengers. Taxi and private hire drivers, in the course of their occupation, spend long periods driving their vehicles. These people are transporting members of the public at all times of the day and night and they will now have to produce a certificate from their General Practitioner just as drivers of many other types of vehicles do."

The Group 2 DVLA Medical Standards mean that person with certain medical conditions would be assessed as medically unfit to hold a taxi or private hire car drivers licence. These medical conditions are set out in the DVLA’s Guidance for medical practitioners At A Glance Guide to the current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive2 and include persons with epilepsy who have suffered an epileptic seizure within the last ten years, persons with eyesight problems and persons with diabetes treated with insulin. However most drivers with diabetes, who are having their condition regularly monitored by their Doctor, would still be able to drive.