Plate expiry

[mercenary for hire]

So my plate lapsed and it needs to be reactivated by August to avoid it getting lost forever. I don't really wanna have yo be forced to buy a wheely plate just yet. I also don't want to hand over insurance money to keep it active. But I'll do it if I really have to.

My question is how difficult is it for the NTA to change the regulations so that plates don't just disappear for good after the pandemic has been solved? . If they wanted to.... is it an easy amendment to the regulations or does it have to go to the government?

There must be a load of older drivers with potentially dead plates in the next six months. They may not be even aware that they're gonna lose them as all the communication from the NTA has been done by email.

[Rat Catcher]

Stroke of a pen... either by direct amendment (if allowed within the act) or by Minsterial order to amend the act.

[john m]

If they change the rules it will end up in Court as people whos license's had previously expired will claim they have been victimized as the rules were fluid and they got no respite .Check with the Reps first see how many of their Plate Lords will suffer if they will suffer the rule will be changed .

[mercenary for hire]

Ok thanks just wondering really.I'm not expecting special treatment but if in two years time there's a huge shortage of taxis they could be more likely to release electric saloon plates.Not sure if that's a good thing myself.

Depending on how long the pandemic is dragged out I might just temporarily reinsure and relicence my taxi then let it die again to give myself another 12 months.Still wasted money but it's doable.

[Rat Catcher]

Most oil the fleet will be electric by this time next year. Free Now has committed to converting at least 10,000 of it's fleet to meet it's emissions targets.

[john m]

Just a thought Merc .Is your present vehicle actually licenced as a taxi or is it lapsed more than 1 year .Will they extend the extra year to a vehicle that was not licenced as a taxi .As in will a vehicle that was once registered as a taxi but lapsed its licence be still considered a taxi vehicle or a new entrant vehicle ?

[mercenary for hire]

Yeah it's fine John they just reactivate the licence on the old vehicle.I don't really wanna drive it anymore as it needs some TLC but if it gets me through until the end of restrictions without spending too much the grants can wait.I'm in no real hurry.

[john m]

I was just wondering knowing the taxi thingey and how they read their own rules .Would they say if you lapse your taxi licence you are applying for a new licence for the vehicle not a renewal .

[Rat Catcher]

No is the short answer to that, erm.

[mercenary for hire]

I've rang them already they said give us a shout when yer ready to be relicenced.If the plate itself goes beyond 12 months of inactivity it's gone fowever ,turning my 15-year-old Prius into scrap metal.

I'm familiar with the rules but I'll bet there are plenty of old codgers who still think they've 5 years to reativate their plates.

[Rat Catcher]

So...don't tell them... they'll only go out and spread the virus, putting themselves, their passengers and their families at risk.

... and, sure, if they subscribed to the world's best Irish taxi forum they'd know all they need to know!

[mercenary for hire]

Yes good point RC.

[Shallowhal]

So when did you lapse it Merc....last August?

[mercenary for hire]

Yes Hal Aug 2020, so it needs to be revived by August 21.Chances are I'll reactivate the plate ,spend a bit on an unnecessary NCT then the NTA will lossen up the rules for the pandemic.

I'd need to start getting the ball rolling around June just in case the NCT becomes a problem.

[Panel]

Surely a friendly mpo wouldn’t pass up a gentleman’s agreement of say €500 for the the use of one of his/her cars to be used to renew a plate?

I’d imagine most mpos have surplus cars in the yard that are 9 years old or newer, ya could ask them to put your plate on one of their cars for one day to pass it out and get another year on the plate?