Taxi Driver Online

Borough’s new cabbies to have the knowledge

Published on Thursday 9 June 2011 15:48

New taxi drivers in West Norfolk may soon have to show they have the ‘knowledge’, like London cabbies, before they can operate in the borough.

Newcomers to the taxi ranks are likely to face a test, set by West Norfolk Council, including knowledge of the local area, literacy and numeracy, the Highway Code and understanding of the licensing regulations.

The test, conducted by the council’s licensing officers, would have to be completed by all new applicants for combined private hire and Hackney Carriage licences - but existing drivers would be exempt from it.

The borough council’s cabinet agreed the new requirement, which is still subject to full council approval, on Tuesday after reviewing the authority’s policy on licensing.

It is also recommending the council increases the fee for all new combined driver licence applicants from £49.50 to £62 to cut the council tax subsidy that this licensing currently receives and to cover the cost of the new test.

A survey among current cabbies showed 69 per cent of respondents thought the ‘knowledge’ test for new applicants was a good idea, with only 26 per cent against.

Source; http://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/borough_ ... _1_2756955

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
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If these types of tests had been applied 20 years ago by ALL licensing authorities to both HC and PH new driver applicants, we would not be in the mess we are in now in most licensing authorities.

And we probably wouldn't have had situations like the Berwick-upon-Tweed cases, because there would have been enough work for all the drivers in the two trades!!

As I keep saying, "If the country was run by cabbies and barbers, we wouldn't be in this mess!"

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

F*** me, welcome to the 21st Century.

_________________
IDFIMH

Nothing is like the London Knowledge.

No where else in the world do Taxi drivers have to learn so much before they are licensed to ply for hire.

Bloody good job too!!!

Otherwise, you wouldn't have any work with the tens of thousands that would accompany you on the rank and streets of London.

Then the London cabbie, earning a fraction of what he earns now, would be even more miserable than he is now!!

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

And don't we all know.

_________________
IDFIMH