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Moray Council orders cabbies to smarten up

Drivers from C&R Taxis, after the company introduced a uniform
Drivers from C&R Taxis, after the company introduced a uniform

Taxi drivers could be subject to a smart new dress code under Moray Council plans.

A report submitted to the local authority’s licensing committee outlines a series of strict dress guidelines for the region’s cabbies.

Under the plans, drivers will no longer be allowed to wear jeans, jogging trousers, shell-suits, T-shirts or football tops.

Trainers will also be banned, with drivers having to wear dark shoes. Ties will be outlawed on safety grounds.

The guidelines were devised by officers from the council’s licensing department in conjunction with the Moray Taxi Trade Association.

Councillors will meet on Wednesday to decide the plans, but opinion is split amongst the region’s cabbies.

C&K Cabs spokesman Kevin Grant said: “The plan doesn’t really bother me, but a lot of people are against it and see it as an unwelcome change.

“At least this would smarten everybody up and we would all be under the same rules.

“The only concern I would have had about a dress code is whether ties would be mandatory, as they could be easy for folk to grab hold of, so I’m pleased that has been taken into account.”

Tornado Taxis’ Chris Gillespie said: “Our drivers are 50/50 on the idea, but if it gets made into a rule then we’ll comply without any arguments.”

Elgin’s C&R Taxis instituted its own dress code in 2012, saying that as a taxi driver can offer tourists their first impression of an area, it is vital they dress neatly.

Company manager Rod Mclennan said: “We decided on this a few years ago as we thought people would feel more comfortable entering a car if the driver looked smart.

“I’m in full favour of the council’s plans, and I can’t understand why it’s taken them so long to get round to this.

“It really comes down to drivers having a bit of self-respect, this is not just any job and taxi drivers can be a visitor’s first image of a place.”

The committee will also be asked to approve plans for drivers to sit a knowledge and language test, which is yet to be devised but will challenge cabbies on their knowledge of the area and its road layout.