Posted on the 10th August 2026 in PHTM News

TAXI DRIVER SAFETY FEARS SPARK CALDERDALE COUNCIL MOT DEBATE

Taxi drivers in Calderdale are facing a clash over vehicle safety checks after a council meeting heard that a cab's handbrake completely failed just weeks after passing an MOT at a private garage.

The alarming incident was highlighted by senior councillors as the local authority rejected calls to allow private garages to carry out mandatory taxi tests.

The debate began when Councillor Mohammed Shazad Fazal asked the cabinet to introduce approved private garages, cut licensing delays and improve access to the council's Battinson Road transport centre in Halifax to better support local drivers.

Cllr Fazal said his ward is one of the area's most deprived and that constituents rely heavily on the taxi trade. He argued that changes would reduce delays, support drivers' incomes and strengthen a vital local service.

However, Councillor Peter Hunt, Cabinet member for Public Services, firmly rejected the idea of using private garages, insisting that public safety must come first. He explained that the council would still hold ultimate legal liability for vehicle standards even if testing was outsourced.

Cllr Hunt said: "Through our transport team we have also reported several local MOT certified garages to VOSA where taxis and private hire vehicles have passed a recent MOT test that subsequently failed the council's compliance tests on the same inspection points."

He added: "On one occasion this resulted in a dangerous fail where the vehicle's handbrake was found not to be functioning only a couple of weeks after passing a MOT at a private garage."

Defending the council's current system, Cllr Hunt stated that keeping compliance testing in-house ensures vehicles are genuinely fit to transport fare-paying customers. He also noted that testing appointments are typically available within a week, and licences are issued the next day once legal checks are complete.

To help drivers avoid delays, the council sends automated email reminders months before renewals are due. Furthermore, the local authority confirmed that services at the Battinson Road facility and face-to-face licensing counters are already operating regularly to assist the trade.


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