LocalCabs.uk

Lincolnshire and the English Test Saga

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taxiboss
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LocalCabs.uk is circulating the news story about Barry Drake a Lincolnshire based Taxi Driver to passengers and cabbies alike because to keep the industry transparent. Barry is rurally based, 70years old happily working having been driving as a cab driver for 17 years and being ‘forced’ to take an English test as part of the Local Authority’s efforts to apply fairness to all to ensure drivers have a good standard of English.

The reason for raising this news is that it is a worrying prospect for the industry of established drivers who have operated and been licensed for a considerable time who are already facing rising costs as ‘owner-drivers’. Drivers face considerable costs operating their vehicles, complying to legislation and in many parts of the country are being pressured by out of town licensed drivers who are new to the industry.

Costs creep in a sleepy part of Lincolnshire

The reported cost of the additional English test is £46.50 on reapplication for a renewed badge. Private Hire drivers and Hackney drivers across the country are required to comply with a lot of regulation, including quarterly vehicle checks, specialised hire and reward insurance, CCTV requirements and maintenance for high milage that mount up to thousands of pounds and separately the driver must also been a licensed driver and fulfil those costs. If a driver is working for a Ride Hailing Apps or a spurious operator they can find themselves out in the cold with paying high commissions or paying high fees from their earnings reducing their earnings below the living wage and this sounds like another kick in the teeth.

It’s enough to pack in

Owner drivers take on all the costs and for many the idea of paying out ‘even more’ will be enough for some to hang up their boots. New drivers often have very little local knowledge and it is understood from the reports that these measures have been introduced to filter new applicants whose spoken English is not adequate, however additional regulation will requires each and every driver who is renewing an application to have extra time off the road. A drivers working time is very precious and they are paid by the mile, dead time is never recouped and the prospect of attending class room time and having to pay costs is something that has a huge hidden cost. Drivers have a maximum of 11.5hours that they may drive for and many are finding themselves going home under the living wage.

More about Barry

Several major networks have reported on Barry’s story and you can find more information by following these links.

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