Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Lizzie_Zoom on 03 December 2012, 11:34:25
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I have had BBC Watchdog on in the background as I have been working, and they have just shown inspectors pulling in taxi drivers to check them and their vehicles.
One driver, quite reasonably I believe, was moaning that there profession are constantly being checked by the authorities. He pointed out something I certainly never knew; they have a yearly compliance test which is "harder than a standard MOT", along with a further TWO MOT's per year. One every six months.
What do the taxi drivers on this forum think about this?
Is it right and just, in the interests of the general public, or is it OTT?
Love to have some observations on this, and other facts in the life of a taxi driver on the legal front.
:y
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They have also just advised a green miggy taxi driver to replace a cover where he has been previously towed. ::) ::)
Was that any of you here?
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Have posted my feelings on such things. Bi annual inspection is to Mot standard, but is pass or fail, no advisories allowed. It also includes the condition of the body work ie free from significant defects and the interior for cleanliness and condition. Some LAs are less stringent, ours were reasonably firm. Mechanical inspection is followed more or less instantly by a Council inspection to confirm that the condition of the vehicle in the testers opinion matches the licensing officers opinion. If you have a reputation for letting things slip, then expect a rougher ride. However if you keep on top of servicing/repairs, then never really an issue :y
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Thanks al :y :y :y
That is the type of insight I was looking for. When you see something on TV you always wonder exactly what the truth is, when I haven't got the foggiest. :D ;)
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I'm guessing that Milton Keynes council is less stringent, as they allow any deathtrap to be used as a taxi
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I'm guessing that Milton Keynes council is less stringent, as they allow any deathtrap to be used as a taxi
The checks on the BBC were in Ellesmere Port, so you could be right TB! :D :D ;)
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I'm guessing that Milton Keynes council is less stringent, as they allow any deathtrap to be used as a taxi
kent is another......some of the heaps i see...i think drivers also need mot'ing on manners....i see my neighbour unloading boot full of shopping 2 kids...and driver sat on his butt...i did help her but honestley some people:y
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Swindon BC (LA for me) have these rules for private hire vehicles
A new vehicle gets an standard MOT every year (plus extras), so out of the showroom to the MOT station, until its 5 years old. Then it gets a twice yearly standard MOT (plus extras) until its 10 years old......Then its too old...end of. Also you cannot 'first' plate a vehicle if its more than 5 years old.
Oh and you cannot take it to any MOT station......it has to be council approved.... which i think there are two in Swindon.....Oh and you carnt get the MOT for £35 or whatever the place is advertising.....you pay the council £53 ish (i think). The council pay the MOT station ( about half of what you've paid )
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Swindon BC (LA for me) have these rules for private hire vehicles
A new vehicle gets an standard MOT every year (plus extras), so out of the showroom to the MOT station, until its 5 years old. Then it gets a twice yearly standard MOT (plus extras) until its 10 years old......Then its too old...end of. Also you cannot 'first' plate a vehicle if its more than 5 years old.
Oh and you cannot take it to any MOT station......it has to be council approved.... which i think there are two in Swindon.....Oh and you carnt get the MOT for £35 or whatever the place is advertising.....you pay the council £53 ish (i think). The council pay the MOT station ( about half of what you've paid )
Thanks Taxi Driver! :y
I have learn't something today......yet again! :D :D :y :y
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Some people actually kick off if you offer ::) What's to say that the driver hadn't offered and had been politely declined :-\
Different people expect different things, and offering assistance might be graciously accepted by one person, and rudely rebuked by another... Also, in this day and age, you could easily get dragged before the council for damaging peoples shopping, (broken eggs/bottles/jars), not to mention people claiming that the driver had put the bags down in the wrong order. They then ring the office to complain, expecting the company to refund their journey and pay for the shopping. And don't forget that you're not insured if you trip or fall on private property.
Pre war terraced streets are the worst for picking up/dropping off in. Cars parked either side, only room for one vehicle in the carriageway. Double park. Offer to help with shopping, only to be told no it's ok I can manage... Two minutes later there's a queue of cars trying to get past both ways, and you, the driver are getting called every name under the sun (and a few more) because the person you've just dropped off can't find their keys/has gone in to get some change... In most every walk of life, the vast majority of people think they are more important than you or any one else, and they're not afraid to let the whole world know about it.
Having been driving a cab for the last 6 years, and I have learnt a few things:
1. I really didn't enjoy going to work, but it pays the bills.
2. 15% of passengers are a pleasure.
3. 60% of passengers I could take or leave.
4. The other 25% are complete soles, that I wish I'd never had the misfortune to meet.
5. The vast majority of the remaining population have no consideration for anything or anyone else. This is either by wilful neglect, or more often, because it hasn't occurred to them to stop and consider the implications that they have on the people around them, sadly. Most of them don't even have the blocks to admit it >:(
As I've said before, albeit more politely, if all people insist on doing is to criticise everyone else, then FFS put yourself in their position first >:( At least then a reasonable discussion can be had.
There are far too many people assuming/prejudging/ drawing the wrong conclusions because they don't know or don't understand or just don't care what has lead to a particular situation, and it really grips my sh*t. >:(
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Oh yes, there is always another side to any story al!
I have heard some pretty nasty things that taxi drivers have had to put up with down here in Kent. One ended up getting murdered! :o :o :o :o :o
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Swindon BC (LA for me) have these rules for private hire vehicles
A new vehicle gets an standard MOT every year (plus extras), so out of the showroom to the MOT station, until its 5 years old. Then it gets a twice yearly standard MOT (plus extras) until its 10 years old......Then its too old...end of. Also you cannot 'first' plate a vehicle if its more than 5 years old.
Oh and you cannot take it to any MOT station......it has to be council approved.... which i think there are two in Swindon.....Oh and you carnt get the MOT for £35 or whatever the place is advertising.....you pay the council £53 ish (i think). The council pay the MOT station ( about half of what you've paid )
Just to add to that...
The thing that a lot of people don't realise is that every Licensing Authority draws its Licensing Conditions from the local byelaws, based on the Towns Act 18..summat. These form the concrete standard for Hackney Carriages. Their Private Hire legislation is then based on this, but is a Guidance rather than byelaw.
Although the same Act of Parliament is used, it is interpreted by each Local Authority in a manner that they see fit, hence the wide variations across the country, including types of vehicle, age of vehicle, colour of vehicle, markings roofsigns etc etc. In Horsham, Taxis and PHVs are MOT exempt in so far as the Council issue an Mot exemption Certificate with each annual licence because they insist that the vehicle is 'tested to beyond MoT requirements' every six months, essentially the council guarantee that any licenced vehicle operating under its authority is more than MOT compliant. We aren't so strictly controlled as to which garage carries out our tests, but they must be registered MoT stations and also within the district :y
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Oh yes, there is always another side to any story al!
I have heard some pretty nasty things that taxi drivers have had to put up with down here in Kent. One ended up getting murdered! :o :o :o :o :o
I personally know of three drivers in Horsham who have been held up at knife point, I've been assaulted twice, and I actually struggle to think of any of my colleagues who haven't been verbally/physically threatened. It really is the 15% that keep you going sometimes :-\
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More like the other way round this way >:(
http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Hammer-attack-taxi-driver-jailed-breaking-Hull/story-17039926-detail/story.html
or
http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Taxi-driver-broke-Hull-man-s-neck-metal-bar/story-16871663-detail/story.html
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Some people actually kick off if you offer ::) What's to say that the driver hadn't offered and had been politely declined :-\
Different people expect different things, and offering assistance might be graciously accepted by one person, and rudely rebuked by another... Also, in this day and age, you could easily get dragged before the council for damaging peoples shopping, (broken eggs/bottles/jars), not to mention people claiming that the driver had put the bags down in the wrong order. They then ring the office to complain, expecting the company to refund their journey and pay for the shopping. And don't forget that you're not insured if you trip or fall on private property.
Pre war terraced streets are the worst for picking up/dropping off in. Cars parked either side, only room for one vehicle in the carriageway. Double park. Offer to help with shopping, only to be told no it's ok I can manage... Two minutes later there's a queue of cars trying to get past both ways, and you, the driver are getting called every name under the sun (and a few more) because the person you've just dropped off can't find their keys/has gone in to get some change... In most every walk of life, the vast majority of people think they are more important than you or any one else, and they're not afraid to let the whole world know about it.
Having been driving a cab for the last 6 years, and I have learnt a few things:
1. I really didn't enjoy going to work, but it pays the bills.
2. 15% of passengers are a pleasure.
3. 60% of passengers I could take or leave.
4. The other 25% are complete soles, that I wish I'd never had the misfortune to meet.
5. The vast majority of the remaining population have no consideration for anything or anyone else. This is either by wilful neglect, or more often, because it hasn't occurred to them to stop and consider the implications that they have on the people around them, sadly. Most of them don't even have the blocks to admit it >:(
As I've said before, albeit more politely, if all people insist on doing is to criticise everyone else, then FFS put yourself in their position first >:( At least then a reasonable discussion can be had.
There are far too many people assuming/prejudging/ drawing the wrong conclusions because they don't know or don't understand or just don't care what has lead to a particular situation, and it really grips my sh*t. >:(
nope just an ignorant lazy tit...i know for a fact he did'nt offer as i was told so,also had a basin full of the arse when i broke my arm and he did'nt offer to help me either,as i said more spot checks and ANY behaviour like his taken off the road immediately with no second chances
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Not much to be said to that TG :-X
Rather than bleating about it, next time complain to the company concerned, note his badge and plate number and their response and write to the licencing officer at the council.
But first, ask yourself this... How many times a day can you tolerate being asked the following questions:
1. Been busy?
2. How much do you earn?
3. Where are you from?
4. Are you some kind of ...t?
5. In response to which way would you like to go... Fastest and cheapest.(these are usually mutually exclusive)
6. That's a king rip off I'm not paying that... Used to get that alot just from putting the meter on, closely followed by 4.
7. What you going this way for? uh because it's the shortest, and therefore cheapest route...
8. if I wanted your help, I'd have king well asked for it
I would consider myself to be a reasonably tolerant person, but even I struggled to bite my tongue at times :-\
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I drove taxis for 20 years, in my area there is only one garage that tests the cars, it used to be the police that tested them but they gave that up.
The guy that runs the garage is an absolute power hungry tosser. He truly gets off on the fact that if he deems your car to be unroadworthy, then it's off with the plate and you can't run it as a taxi until the problem is fixed. >:(
Fair enough you may think, can't have death traps ferrying the good townspeople around. I agree.
But when this little jumped up Hitler can put my car of the road for having a scratch about 6inches long in my paintwork, well, I can't write on here what I really want to.
Another time my car was grounded for having 4mm of tread on the tyres. Eh, isn't the law stating 1.6mm? ( at least it was at the time) so I rang the local traffic cops to ask why this guy can say that the legal limit of 1.6mm isn't good enough for him and he wants 4?? >:( >:(
The answer... We don't get involved! So I asked if my car wasn't being tested today and the boys in blue had stopped me and seen i had 4mm of tread left, would they have ordered me off the road?
Of course the answer was no.... So why the hell can hitler say its not enough tread??!! >:( >:( >:(
It's not a personal thing either, he has upset virtually every driver/owner I know.
I haven't drove a taxi for around 5 years now, but I swear if I ever meet that dickhead in a dark ally one night....
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Oh yes, there is always another side to any story al!
I have heard some pretty nasty things that taxi drivers have had to put up with down here in Kent. One ended up getting murdered! :o :o :o :o :o
I personally know of three drivers in Horsham who have been held up at knife point, I've been assaulted twice, and I actually struggle to think of any of my colleagues who haven't been verbally/physically threatened. It really is the 15% that keep you going sometimes :-\
Ive been a PH driver for 10+ years now.......
Ive been verbally abused, spat at......countless times......strangely always at the point when your telling the 'customer' the correct fare....
Thankfully i havent been physically assaulted yet.....but i know drivers who have been :-X
Im a lot more careful than i used to be.......and only work the 'office block' areas now......so business customers usually......
TBH if i could find something else to do that suits my lifestyle......i wouldnt hesitate to jump ship....
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Not much to be said to that TG :-X
Rather than bleating about it, next time complain to the company concerned, note his badge and plate number and their response and write to the licencing officer at the council.
But first, ask yourself this... How many times a day can you tolerate being asked the following questions:
1. Been busy?
2. How much do you earn?
3. Where are you from?
4. Are you some kind of ...t?
5. In response to which way would you like to go... Fastest and cheapest.(these are usually mutually exclusive)
6. That's a king rip off I'm not paying that... Used to get that alot just from putting the meter on, closely followed by 4.
7. What you going this way for? uh because it's the shortest, and therefore cheapest route...
8. if I wanted your help, I'd have king well asked for it
I would consider myself to be a reasonably tolerant person, but even I struggled to bite my tongue at times :-\
I dont envy your jobs putting up with that :(
My mate is a driver for many years now and the stuff he's put up with is unbelievable , from all the above comments to physical abuse and rescuing other drivers from being beaten up and robbed :(
I nearly went for a taxi driver job years ago until i found out the above ..
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Not much to be said to that TG :-X
Rather than bleating about it, next time complain to the company concerned, note his badge and plate number and their response and write to the licencing officer at the council.
But first, ask yourself this... How many times a day can you tolerate being asked the following questions:
1. Been busy?
2. How much do you earn?
3. Where are you from?
4. Are you some kind of ...t?
5. In response to which way would you like to go... Fastest and cheapest.(these are usually mutually exclusive)
6. That's a king rip off I'm not paying that... Used to get that alot just from putting the meter on, closely followed by 4.
7. What you going this way for? uh because it's the shortest, and therefore cheapest route...
8. if I wanted your help, I'd have king well asked for it
I would consider myself to be a reasonably tolerant person, but even I struggled to bite my tongue at times :-\
Not bleating about anything Al ;)
Just making a point that not all drivers are saints :)
I get in a taxi maybe twice a year and that is in a mates who drives for a firm in Hull so i know I won't be getting ripped off by some of the imigrant scum who have infested the cabby trade round here and this city in general.
Just for the record, I also did a stint at taxi driving about 18 years ago.
I lasted 3 weeks before I told them to stick it where the sun doesn't shine for all the reasons you have mentioned.
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Not much to be said to that TG :-X
Rather than bleating about it, next time complain to the company concerned, note his badge and plate number and their response and write to the licencing officer at the council.
But first, ask yourself this... How many times a day can you tolerate being asked the following questions:
1. Been busy?
2. How much do you earn?
3. Where are you from?
4. Are you some kind of ...t?
5. In response to which way would you like to go... Fastest and cheapest.(these are usually mutually exclusive)
6. That's a king rip off I'm not paying that... Used to get that alot just from putting the meter on, closely followed by 4.
7. What you going this way for? uh because it's the shortest, and therefore cheapest route...
8. if I wanted your help, I'd have king well asked for it
I would consider myself to be a reasonably tolerant person, but even I struggled to bite my tongue at times :-\
Not bleating about anything Al ;)
Just making a point that not all drivers are saints :)
I get in a taxi maybe twice a year and that is in a mates who drives for a firm in Hull so i know I won't be getting ripped off by some of the imigrant scum who have infested the cabby trade round here and this city in general.
Just for the record, I also did a stint at taxi driving about 18 years ago.
I lasted 3 weeks before I told them to stick it where the sun doesn't shine for all the reasons you have mentioned.
Happening everywhere mate, there was maybe one or two in my area 3 or 4 years ago, now virtually every cab has a "foreigner" driving it.
When I first started driving taxis I had to sit a written and verbal tast conducted by 2 traffic officers who asked me questions on the rules of being a taxi driver, general knowledge of the car and set me a couple of route tests. This was on top of being visited at home by 2 police officers who visited every prospective driver just to get a "feel" for them.
Nowadays you fill in a form, get a couple of passport photos done and pay the fee. Ridiculous.
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... big snip ....
Not bleating about anything Al ;)
Just making a point that not all drivers are saints :)
I get in a taxi maybe twice a year and that is in a mates who drives for a firm in Hull so i know I won't be getting ripped off by some of the imigrant scum who have infested the cabby trade round here and this city in general.
Just for the record, I also did a stint at taxi driving about 18 years ago.
I lasted 3 weeks before I told them to stick it where the sun doesn't shine for all the reasons you have mentioned.
Is that sort of racist, bigoted, provocative and downright rude language what this forum really wants or needs ???
I'm surprised the post didn't end with "vote BNP" or similar like half the posts seem to these days.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, it is a free country, but with freedom comes responsibility, and there is a responsibility to be civil, and to remain within the law ... comments like that don't do either.
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Fair enough on the scum bit so i'll retract that word and only that word but believe me Nigel, if you had lived in this city as long as I have and seen the injustices that have happened in the last 20 years or so then you would understand why some subjects push my buttons so much.
As for the BNP, I have never voted for them or any of there cling on partys in my life.
If anything, i'm tory supporter which believe me, can get you a good kicking in this inbread city of mine.
As for this rasist tag, I'm far from believe me BUT I believe that rasism has turned 180 degree's in the last 20 years or so to the point that when SOME non whites use this stigma of the word to there advantage to get there own way.
I have quite a few friends who are of a different colour, religion or sexual orientation to me.
As a rule, I couldn't give a toss about any differences as long as we all get on and they don't try to use that difference to gain some sort of advantage around me. If they ever did, they would get both barrels beleive me.
One thing nobody can ever accuse me of is being 2 faced (and that was not a acusation either)
Appoligies for the thread drift, but that needed clearing up :)
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Back to the subject of Taxi Drivers:
I have learnt a lot from this thread about all the regulations, and the "way of life" of the average cabbie :y :y :y
I think I now know why a taxi firm in Ashford, Arrow Taxi's always use Mercedes that I believe are no older than 5 years old. In fact everywhere you go you see Arrow Taxi's, and their distinctive Merc's., even in London when they are fulfilling business contracts. ;)
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Accept the fact that most customer facing "service" jobs will result in being abused/threatened/assaulted. Its the nature of that type of work.
I packed it in, partly for the reasons people have mentioned. Although I must say, the pleasant ones made it worthwhile.
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Not much to be said to that TG :-X
Rather than bleating about it, next time complain to the company concerned, note his badge and plate number and their response and write to the licencing officer at the council.
But first, ask yourself this... How many times a day can you tolerate being asked the following questions:
1. Been busy?
2. How much do you earn?
3. Where are you from?
4. Are you some kind of ...t?
5. In response to which way would you like to go... Fastest and cheapest.(these are usually mutually exclusive)
6. That's a king rip off I'm not paying that... Used to get that alot just from putting the meter on, closely followed by 4.
7. What you going this way for? uh because it's the shortest, and therefore cheapest route...
8. if I wanted your help, I'd have king well asked for it
I would consider myself to be a reasonably tolerant person, but even I struggled to bite my tongue at times :-\
This brings back memories, I was a cabbie for 10 years, I really didnt want to go to work some nights but always went, you shouldnt have to go to work wondering if this is the night you get stabbed for your takings or just assaulted for no reason other than some t**t takes a dislike to you, I dont miss it.
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............................................
But first, ask yourself this... How many times a day can you tolerate being asked the following questions:
1. Been busy?
2. How much do you earn?
3. Where are you from?
4. Are you some kind of ...t?
5. In response to which way would you like to go... Fastest and cheapest.(these are usually mutually exclusive)
6. That's a king rip off I'm not paying that... Used to get that alot just from putting the meter on, closely followed by 4.
7. What you going this way for? uh because it's the shortest, and therefore cheapest route...
8. if I wanted your help, I'd have king well asked for it
I would consider myself to be a reasonably tolerant person, but even I struggled to bite my tongue at times :-\
:-[ :-[ Mental note to self: Don't ask these questions in future. Opt for the embarrassing silence instead if I can't think of anything useful to say. :y
Accept the fact that most customer facing "service" jobs will result in being abused/threatened/assaulted. Its the nature of that type of work.
I packed it in, partly for the reasons people have mentioned. Although I must say, the pleasant ones made it worthwhile.
Trying to visualize TB as Taxi Driver...................................................nope, it ain't happening. ;) ;) ;D ;D
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I reckon he'd actually be quite good ::) already spends all day muttering 'king retards grrr' ;D
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I reckon he'd actually be quite good ::) already spends all day muttering 'king retards grrr' ;D
Nobody would ever travel with him again, the speed he drives at :D