SIR: I refer to the letter printed on April 22 and signed by a private hire driver who didn't wish his name to be printed. I wonder why?

I am also a private hire driver and I am writing in defence of the council's examiner. When a car passes the test which allows it to be used as a private hire car it is fit to be on the road. The test is very strict and lasts up to 45 minutes.

But, does this anonymous private hire driver not realise that it is up to him to maintain his vehicle in a roadworthy condition until the next test, six months later. A private hire vehicle can average 25,000 miles between tests, which means that things that will need replacing on a private car after three years will need replacing within six months on a taxi or private hire car. The tyres may be legal when the car passes the test, but if the tyres have 2 mm tread (which is perfectly legal) they will certainly need replacing well before the next test is due. If drivers try to save money by not replacing them before they are illegal, for example using them for an extra couple of weeks, then they have only themselves to blame if their cars are taken off the road after a spot check.

The same thing applies to lights, brakes and almost anything else. Now considering the amount of mileage and wear and tear on a private hire car, how can this person blame a failure to maintain a vehicle on the examiner. The only person at fault is the owner.

So, can I suggest to this driver, and any other drivers who feel the same way that they keep their vehicles maintained in a fit condition, get on with their jobs and leave the examiner alone to get on with his job.

K L Davies

Hengist Street, Tonge Fold,

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.