Dear Vehicle Licence Holder

[The Dark Knight]

Dear Vehicle Licence Holder,


We hope this note finds you well.


As you know, when lockdown hit the country, Manchester reacted quickly to
suspend all routine testing of vehicles - this took effect on the morning
of 24 March 2020 and was initially in place until the end of May. We
continually reviewed the situation and as tight restrictions were still in
place at the end of May, the suspension was extended to the end of June
2020.


With all the uncertainty at the time around livelihoods and how this whole
situation would evolve, the Unit also took an early decision (supported by
Members) not to require cancelled tests to be rebooked, and instead to
fully waive the tests and their fees given that vehicles were not working
and the trade needed as much support as we could reasonably provide.
Licensees who have had their annual, 4, 6 or 8 month test cancelled between
24 March 2020 and now, have (or will have) received a refund via a
reduction in their annual renewal licence renewal fee of £60.


We are aware that not all licensees will have been affected by this
decision if they did not have a test due between 24 March and now. However,
as the country now emerges out of lockdown restrictions and is due to do so
further following government announcements to open the hospitality sector,
we must react by reinstating our testing regime in the interests of public
safety. As you are no doubt aware, we have a vastly reduced capacity on
other forms of public transport (which is estimated will be running at
aournd 20% of its usual capacity) and the best information we have at
present is that trams will remain on an 11 minute schedule and stop at 11pm
up to September 2020; so we are expecting an increased demand in taxi and
private hire services from 4 July onwards.


We have been working hard in the last few weeks to find a way to reinstate
the testing regime that was safe for both staff and customers. We have a
reduced testing facility due to the need to provide social distancing for
staff, and will be changing some of the ways we deal with the arrival and
waiting of customers, and handing over of keys and paperwork etc. All of
the relevant information you need for attending a vehicle test will be sent
to you with your appointment letter. It was very important to us that we
keep the scheduled tests as close to the current schedule as possible -
this is because we book interim tests ahead throughout the year as you
know, and to rearrange around 1000 tests per month would have created a lot
of additional administration and potential confusion for customers, but we
have managed to keep most of our previously scheduled tests the same by
extending the working day and splitting officer shifts. We will be very
close to capacity each day and so will need the trade to work with us to
keep to scheduled tests as much as possible and understand that we will not
be able to offer preferred times in most instances, but will have to slot
appointments in where we can. We will keep this under close monitoring and
seek to put additional tests on a Saturday if necessary.


Therefore we will be resuming routine testing of vehicles (this means 4, 6
or 8 month tests due) from 1st July 2020 onwards - please note all of these
tests will already be paid for when you renewed your licence.


We will resume booking in renewal annual tests due for licences renewing on
8th July 2020 onwards. Payment for renewal licences can still be deferred
and this has been extended at the request of Members until 30 September
2020 to enable licensees to resume trading and a period of recovery before
fees are due.


We are acutely aware that a large part of our licensed trade are of the
BAME community, who are particularly at risk from the virus and that Taxi
and PH drivers nationwide have been identified as particularly vulnerable
due to the service you provide. As Manchester has a purpose built Hackney
policy, all our Hackney drivers do have some protection afforded by the
manufactured built screen (or bulk head) in the vehicles and as you are
probably aware by now, we also issued a statement and guidance on 13 May,
enabling our private hire vehicle owners to use plastic sheeting in
vehicles. Whilst the Government haven't included Taxis and PHVs in the
definition of 'public transport' in relation to the wearing of face
coverings, we fully support all our trade in requiring customers to wear
face coverings and will be publishing further guidance to passengers about
this on our website soon.


We fully understand that drivers may choose not to work still for personal
circumstance reasons, and want to reiterate that the resumption of our
service is not a requirement for individuals to work. If you as a vehicle
owner do not intend on using your licensed vehicle either yourself or by
drivers tracking the vehicle, and therefore do not wish to have your
routine test, then you can contact us about suspending your vehicle licence
in the meantime. But if your vehicle is to remain licensed and on the road
then it must now to testing in line with our policy. Please be aware that
all Hackney Vehicle licences must be renewed or you risk losing the plate
altogether due to the Council's policy on managed growth (capped plates) -
plates cannot be renewed once they have expired without a presentation to
the Licensing and Appeals Committee, and only then if there is evidence of
exceptional circumstances.


Finally, please ensure that you/your drivers have the correct insurance on
your vehicle if it is working as a licensed vehicle. Our officers will be
continuing to conduct random checks and this is very important for public
safety that the relevant insurance is in place.


Hoping that you stay safe and that we can all get our great City back to
some form of normality soon. In the meantime thank you for your continued
support of Manchester as a licence holder


Kind regards
The Licensing Unit


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