Page 19
Call Sign October 2011
CALL SIGN COMMENT
As taxis prepare for two MOTs a year...
ARE CARS GOING OVER TO ONE
MOT EVERY TWO YEARS???
Most Dial-a-Cab drivers know that as of 2013, all taxis will be required to have two full MOTs tests every
year plus what has been referred to as a "basic" LTPH examination. These will replace the current once
yearly overhaul. As Call Sign understands it, the MOTs can be carried out at local garages rather than
inspection centres.
However, just as drivers consider a future of MOT testing for their taxis, the Department for
Transport are said to be considering an extension between the intervals of MOT testing for cars
and vans up to 3.5t from three to four years for the initial test following purchase and then every
two years instead of once yearly.
Naturally, many car retail organisations under the banner of the Retail Motor Industry Federation are against any increase because
while they correctly mention the safety aspect, it also seems reasonably obvious that those concerned about the possibility of spending an exor-
bitant amount on having their car "passed" and who would possibly have decided on a new car instead, could possibly decide to wait if MOTs
were every two years instead.
Whilst we do not disagree with the RMIF view that safety should be a paramount requirement, Call Sign feels that if the DfT do decide to
allow cars one MOT every two years, then at the very least, London's licensed taxis should be asked to undertake just one MOT test each year
rather than two in addition to the LTPH basic check.
A spokesperson for the MfT told Call Sign that at present they have made no final decision...
FRANKIE SHAPIRO
Manchester taxi drivers face retraining...
BECAUSE THEY USE
Over the past few months, Call Sign has been
SATNAVS!
supporting Melinda, the daughter of Dial-a-
Cab driver Laurie Shapiro (H62). She success-
Manchester's licensed taxi drivers who undertake a shorter version
fully completed the Race for Life through the
of a London-type Knowledge and drive the same taxis as us - could
City of London on 12 June in aid of Cancer
face stricter training amid fears they have lost their way thanks to
Research UK taking 56 minutes to complete
their love of sat navs!
the 5K course that began at the Guildhall.
Licensing officials in the city are considering a crackdown on dri-
Dial-a-Cab drivers contributed gener-
vers after a series of failures have been reported by both officials and
ously to the collection tin in Driver
passengers. One officer at Manchester council's taxi licensing depart-
Reception and helped Melinda raise
ment claimed that once the drivers had undertaken the Manchester
over £850.
Melinda
Knowledge they were no longer paying attention to where they were
afte
UK. Her m r running for Can
At the time, this magazine wrote simply
going, but relied more and more on their satnav systems. A new
ce
um was b
that the Shapiro family knew all about the
attling ca r
report also claims that drivers are no longer developing their route
at the tim
battle against cancer, while Melinda her-
ncer
e...
skills and are relying instead on satellite navigation technology for
self told Call Sign how touched she had
journey planning.
been by the donations placed into the tin.
Passenger complaints also claimed that Manchester drivers were
What we didn't say was that at the time of the run, Laurie's wife and Melinda's
not disability aware and a voluntary course at Manchester College to
mother, Frankie, was battling cancer something she had been bravely doing for two years.
create an awareness class was ditched because too few drivers
Sadly, Frankie's battle for life ended in September with two highly emotional speeches from
showed any interest.
Laurie and son Ian (H62J), at her funeral.
Now general training is to be reviewed. That will include disability
To all the Shapiro family, our deepest sympathy for the loss of a very brave woman...
awareness training and basic route knowledge testing.
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TAX ADVICE
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CONVEYANCING
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FAMILY & MATRIMONIAL ISSUES TRUST
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ADVICE BUSINESS ADVICE
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Legal firm Davenport Lyons, who are based
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the right person for you
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will see 10% donated to the LTFUC! And
IIf you have always used the same solici-
tence for over 75 years and are accepted as
those fees will be preferential rates and
tors and are happy with them, that's
one of the most successful firms of its kind.
agreed beforehand, so there is no ques-
great! But if you are looking for expert
They are now offering their services to Dial-
tion of Davenport Lyons just adding that
legal assistance and want to help a taxi
a-Cab drivers - and indeed the licensed taxi
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trade as a whole if they happen to read Call
from the company's profit.
tact Nick Hall on 020 7468 1623...
Sign! But this is a legal service with some-
