Wirral Council is asking for views on how often taxi drivers should undergo medical checks.

The survey will be used to help the authority decide if more checks are needed to improve safety.

To get a licence to drive a private hire or hackney carriage, all applicants have to have a medical to show they are physically fit enough to carry out the role.

Currently, once an applicant passes the medical there are no requirements for them to have another until they reach the age of 65.

As an example, a driver who applies for a licence at 25 will take a medical - but there is no requirement for them to have any other medicals until they reach 65, some 40 years later.

To get or to keep a licence, al applicants aged 65 and over must have an annual medical check.

Other local authorities have increased the number of medicals drivers need to keep their licence, and Wirral Council is considering the same option.

Councillor Bill Davies, chairman of Wirral’s licensing committee, said: ‘We welcome initiatives to help taxi drivers in our borough continue to drive safely.

"Taxi and private hire vehicles are an essential means of transport for many, especially older or disabled people.

"Anyone using one should be able to do so safe in the knowledge that its driver meets certain safety standards."

You can complete the survey here