Private hire drivers ‘go where’s easiest’ for licence

Drivers of private hire vehicles will “go where its easiest and cheapest” to get licenses, a taxi service operator has said.

Aqeel Arshad of firm Street Cars, in Manchester, said licensing was a “bit of a free for all” and many were choosing to go through the process outside of the region they work in.

His comments come as the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham launched a campaign to ban private hire vehicles licensed elsewhere from picking up fares in the region.

The move was welcomed by general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Association Steve McNamara who said the current system was a risk to public safety.

Burnham has called on the government to step in with new national laws to tackle the issue where local authorities across England can issues licences to drivers regardless of where they are from or plan to work.

Each also has different rules on requirements like training, tests on geography, and enhanced safety checks.

It is as issue that has caused growing frustration for Manchester taxi drivers, where close to half of those in the trade are licensed elsewhere.

Sham Raja of the Manchester branch of the National Private Hire and Taxi Association, Manchester branch, said it was a “big problem”.

He said: “We have been flooded, they do not follow the rules or regulations, and now there is no work in the city centre.

“They should be working in their own boundaries, they are licensed there and that’s where they should be working.”

Mr McNamara said: “In some authorities, it’s very easy to get a licence, and in others it’s not, and so the less reputable elements will go and get a licence in the easiest area and then come and work somewhere else.”

Mr Ashad said in Wolverhampton, where more than 10% of all taxis in England are licensed, a licensing application costs £89, whereas in Manchester it is £254.

He said requirements were also more stringent in Manchester.

Mr Ashad said: “Drivers go where is easiest, it’s perfectly legal, they don’t want to go through the extra testing in Manchester.”

He said his business had to go for licences elsewhere in the past as the process was faster, meaning he could recruit drivers more quickly.