Hyndburn taxi licence shake-up proposed by council

It is also proposing the removal of the requirement for all of them to carry a fire extinguisher and first aid kit, both of which are currently mandatory in Hyndburn borough.

Now the council is consulting on removing the requirement from its Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

It is also looking at reducing the frequency of road worthiness tests for vehicles aged between 10 and 15 years old.

A Hyndburn Council spokesperson said: "Currently all vehicles should carry a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher.

"We are considering removing this requirement for the following reasons.

"If a vehicle is on fire, the advice given by the fire authority is to leave the vehicle and move away from it, and the fire extinguisher in the vehicle would not be sufficient to put out an engine fire.

"Only a trained first aider is permitted to administer first aid so a condition which requires the driver to carry a first aid kit would appear to be unreasonable.

"Currently all vehicles over the age of 10 years have to be tested three times a year and are only issued with a licence for four months, excluding hybrids.

"However if a vehicle over the age of 10 years passes its test the first time on three consecutive occasions, it will be issued with a six month licence on the third occasion.

"This was introduced as an incentive to encourage owners to maintain older vehicles to a high standard.

"The licensing manager has now been asked to commence a consultation relating to the first aid kit and fire extinguisher requirements.

"The proposal to be consulted upon would amend the conditions to allow all vehicles between the age of two years and 15 years to be granted with a six months licence regardless of whether they are hybrid or not.

"Once a vehicle reaches the age of 15 years it will revert to three tests a year and be issued with a four months licence.

"Comments should be submitted to Hyndburn Council licensing department before 4pm on August 8."