Taxi drivers could face health MOT

Taxi drivers across Aberdeenshire could be forced to undergo a health MOT to check they are fit to sit behind the wheel.

Aberdeenshire Council has already agreed that medicals should be included in the licensing process, and has now launched a consultation on the best way to roll out the scheme.

But last night, some of the 2,000 taxi drivers operating across the northeast described the idea as an “utter farce” and warned it may put some off continuing their work, which includes school runs in rural areas.

Currently, only drivers aged 70 plus or who have a declared medical condition must undergo a test before being granted a licence.

But last October, the authority’s licensing sub-committee decided the health check should be carried out on all drivers apply- ing for, or renewing, their licence. Last night, Stewart Wight, of Safe Drive taxis in Laurencekirk, described Aberdeenshire Council’s plans as an extra burden.

He said: “It is an utter farce. The Group 2 medical plan is far too onerous. It will have a huge effect on the trade, as many of the drivers who carry out the school runs are only registered as taxi drivers because they were asked to by the council. Most I have spoken to will probably give up if this goes through.”

Bin lorry drivers across Aberdeenshire are already subjected to the test, but other in-house drivers are exempt – further infuriating taxi drivers.

A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said all the options would be outlined at the drop-in sessions. There will also be an online consultation, with the responses from both fed back to the licensing sub-committee before a final decision is made on how to roll out the checks.

Stewart Wight, of SafeDrive taxis in Laurencekirk