It’s a ‘fare’ cop as Police Scotland and Highland Council trading standards check out taxi operators

More than 50 taxis and private hire cars have been stopped and checked during a joint operation by Police Scotland and Highland Council trading standards.

The operation on Friday, November 13 in the Inverness area involved checks to ensure drivers are operating within the terms of their taxi licence and that vehicles are roadworthy.

PC Mark Dalloway, from the Road Policing Unit, said: “It is important that the public have faith that professional drivers are conducting their business safely and legally. The vast majority of taxi and private hire drivers operate safely. However, where issues are found, we will take necessary action.

“We acknowledge that these are challenging times, and I would like to thank the taxi trade for their support and co-operation.”

Mark McGInty, from trading standards, said: “The joint operation was a first since we entered the pandemic. Since the end of March our officers have been engaging with the trade at a distance, and the monitoring of compliance with regards to vehicle safety and driver standards has been done remotely. Today this work was done face-to-face, jointly with Police Scotland, and I am very pleased with the level of compliance found.

“A total of 56 inspections took place which involved checking the roadworthiness of the vehicle, the legal documentation required to be in the vehicle, and other safety measures such as a fire extinguisher and first aid kit. Of this 56, only one vehicle failed the inspection for a defective tyre, with that matter rectified within the hour. This is very pleasing news and offers great assurance not only to the enforcement authorities but to the users, the public, for whom it is an obligation to ensure their transit is safe and legal.

“I’d like to thank the taxis and private hire cars we engaged with for their co-operation, and ensuring that travel in this way is as safe as it can be at this time.”