Licencing fees deferred after Edinburgh taxi drivers forced to pick between paying and feeding their families

Edinburgh City Council announced the move following the Evening News highlighting the issue last week.
Taxi drivers will no longer have to pay for licence tests after they were granted a three month extension to their licence.Taxi drivers will no longer have to pay for licence tests after they were granted a three month extension to their licence.
Taxi drivers will no longer have to pay for licence tests after they were granted a three month extension to their licence.

Edinburgh City Council have granted taxi drivers and other licence holders a three month extension.

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Scott Blair, from the Edinburgh Unite Cabs section, had claimed drivers were being asked to stump up the money for licencing tests despite the Edinburgh City Council test centre being closed due to coronavirus.

He said: “The council said they will extend drivers’ plates given they can’t be tested but they still want the money.

“Guys are being asked to make the decision to feed their families or pay their test fees.”

However, the decision has now been made to extend the licence for taxi, private hire car, civic and housing of multiple occupancy (HMO) licences for three months.

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Council leader Adam McVey said: “We’ve been working really hard in challenging circumstances to find the right solution for licence holders, while making sure it is legally sound.

“I’m very pleased that we have reached agreement on this and that it’s now one less financial pressure on the taxi and private car hire trade and other licence holders as like everyone else their lives will have been turned upside down.

“My thanks to officers, and the convenor, Councillor Fullerton, who have worked hard to help us come to this position and the taxi industry and drivers themselves for their input.

“We’ve also made a commitment to report back to our next Leadership Advisory Panel on the implementation of this decision and we’ll monitor the need for further support where we can.”

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