Oldham Council has announced a major policy shift designed to reduce long waiting times for local taxi and private hire drivers.
According to a report by the Saddleworth Independent, licensed drivers in Oldham can now have their mid-year vehicle tests carried out at any DVSA-approved testing station, rather than being restricted to the council’s own facility.
The move follows consultation with trade representatives and is expected to free up around 2,000 testing slots, helping to speed up renewals, re-tests, and new licence applications.
Cllr Elaine Taylor, Cabinet Member for Housing and Licensing, said:
“We’ve seen a significant rise in the number of licensed vehicles across Oldham, and we know how vital it is for drivers to stay on the road and earning. These changes will make a real difference by freeing up testing capacity, cutting waiting times, and ensuring vehicles remain safe and roadworthy.”
Cllr Sajed Hussain, Chair of the Licensing Committee, added:
“This change in policy is another example of how we are working to grow the taxi trade in a safe and effective way, while maintaining excellent standards for our residents.”
The council confirmed that all initial vehicle tests will still be carried out at its own testing centre to ensure consistency and compliance. Drivers affected by the policy update will be contacted directly by the licensing team in the coming weeks.
DM News Commentary
This is a welcome change for many Oldham drivers who have faced increasing delays in booking tests amid rising licensing numbers. Allowing DVSA-approved centres to handle mid-year checks could help reduce downtime and improve income stability for self-employed taxi and PHV drivers.
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