After a long winded fight, Slough Borough Council will now license private hire cars with tinted windows.
Positive Outcome
Previously, drivers who purchased private hire cars with manufacturer’s tints would need to have them removed in order to pass taxi checks.
However, recent move from Slough Borough Council’s licensing team has meant that this will no longer be the case. The change made to the current policy will allow drivers to avoid costly fees in order to bring their vehicles in line with regulations.
Taxi drivers in the borough are delighted with the change that will keep money in their pockets and give them more freedom of choice.
Unhappy Councillors
“We shouldn’t be told what vehicle we can and cannot have. If it comes with manufacturing tints then so be it.”
Councillors voted six to four in favour of changing the policy. It’s emerged that those who voted against the change were extremely unhappy with the decision.
At the licensing committee meeting Councillor Rob Anderson said: “Quite a number of councils have very different policies. I notice that Wycombe Council has a very simple one, no tinted windows, end of.
“The other thing I don’t need to remind the committee about is the terms of trade with which the council licences vehicles.
“The number one priority of this council is the safety of the public. Number two is that we have a thriving and efficient taxi trade and number three is that we project the right image of this town.
“I can’t see anything in the revised policy that advances that.”
Defending the trade, the chairman of Slough’s Private Hire Drivers Association, Ibrar Khan, commented: “We shouldn’t be told what vehicle we can and cannot have. If it comes with manufacturing tints then so be it.”
Tinted Glass – It’s Clear!
A report presented at the licensing committee meeting, Tinted Glass – It’s Clear!, gave the responses to a survey which was sent to 43 police forces and constabularies in England and Wales.
One response said: “If there’s no lighting, it’s impossible to see into a vehicle at night, even if it has clear glass, because it’s dark!”
Regardless of the displeased councillors, it’s a great win for the trade. Fair’s fair!