Posted on the 30th December 2025 in PHTM News

PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST: COUNCIL REJECTS MOVE TO PRIVATE TAXI MOTS

Blackburn with Darwen Council is set to uphold strict taxi testing regulations, prioritising passenger safety over calls from drivers for more flexibility.

A new report heading to the Executive Board on January 8 recommends that all locally licensed taxis must continue to use the council’s own Motor Vehicle Service Station (MVSS) at Davyfield Road for their MOTs, rather than private garages.

The recommendation follows a summer consultation that revealed a sharp divide between the trade and the public:

  • The Trade: Most taxi operators and drivers lobbied for the freedom to use any MOT testing station within the borough.

  • The Public: In a July 2025 survey of 500 residents, 84% rated vehicle safety as "extremely important." A combined 82% of residents insisted that tests should remain at council-run or council-approved facilities.

Despite the pressure from the taxi industry, officials argue that keeping the process in-house ensures the highest possible standards. To accommodate drivers, the MVSS currently aims to provide test and retest slots within 24 hours of a request.

Councillor Jim Smith, Executive Member for Environment and Resident Services, emphasised that public trust is the deciding factor. “Public confidence in taxi safety is key, and we’ve received a clear message from our residents that MOT tests must continue to be undertaken by the council,” Smith stated.

He added that the move aligns with broader goals to build "safer communities," noting: “The recommendation to continue with our existing arrangements... is made with consistency and safety in mind.”

If the Executive Board approves the proposal, the current system will remain locked in for the foreseeable future, with the next formal review not scheduled until 2028.


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