| Comment | Taxi drivers are all self employed.
It can take over a year from the point someone decides they want to drive a taxi to actually being in the drivers seat. This is mainly down to the numerous processes required, the councils ancient processes, how slow they are and their lack of desire to get with the times or make the process easier.
New drivers need to:
1: pass an SQA course at the cost of £400. The courses are provided by a 3rd party and can take months to get a slot.
2: Pass a council run knowledge test of the city. Supposed to be 6-8 weeks for a date - currently taking 3-4 months.
Once those two conditions have been met, a driver can apply for their taxi drivers badge. This is dependent on a police disclosure check and the council processing it. This is supposed to happen within 3 months. I’ve heard anything up to a year for people.
Black hack drivers have two options for a new taxi now. A £42k Euro 6 Mercedes Vito of which there is currently no stock or a £65k LEVC Electric taxi.
Many are not prepared to take on that level of debt for numerous reasons. It may be they are winding down towards retirement or that to cover costs and make a decent wage, they’d be pushed in to 10-12 hour heavy shifts 6 days a week. Lots are happy to go and work in ASDA for a guaranteed wage. |
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