Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies set to face 'knowledge' check

CABBIES in Broxbourne borough may soon have to do a knowledge test to show they know where they are going when driving customers around. Broxbourne councillors are considering introducing a desk-based exam to test drivers’ know-how on local streets and routes.

Delighted Eddy Pearce, who owns Hoddesdon Cars in Stanstead Road, Hoddesdon, said: "We have been asking for a knowledge test for the past five years. We would be very pleased if they did introduce it."

He believes it would help to limit the number of private hire minicabs and taxi, or hackney carriage, plates in the borough. "We are beyond saturation point," he said. "There are about 30 taxi rank spaces in the borough and over 300 taxis."

The London black cab drivers’ famed test – known as ‘the knowledge’ – involves remembering every street within six miles of Charing Cross and takes up to three years to attain.

Broxbourne Council became responsible for licensing both taxis and private hire vehicles in 2000 and imposes age and driving licence conditions along with setting the annual tariff on taxi meters.

However, a report to the planning and licensing committee states that the application process does not include a knowledge test "which is a requirement of the majority of Herts authorities".

The report states: "It is recognised that satellite navigation systems are becoming increasingly more prevalent, but these systems can, of course, malfunction.

"It is suggested that the council should consider consulting on the introduction of knowledge tests to further enhance the service provided to the public. The intention would be that the test would be a desk-based exercise carried out by the council’s licensing staff and include geography and routes as well as the council’s license conditions."

John Webb, controller at Station Cars, in Station Approach, outside Cheshunt railway station, said: "I think it’s a great idea. How would you like to get into a cab and they don’t know where they are going? "Within the local area, drivers should know where they are going."

Councillors are also to consider introducing an additional driving test for cabbies. The report states that there are 235 taxis and 102 private hire vehicles licensed in Broxbourne.

_________________
IDFIMH

Might be the same as the knowledge test that Chelmsford now do,what is left ? what is right?,ok you ok to go!!.a complete farce drivers not even having an idea where hotels or pubs are,Have even heard of one driver handing sat-nav to customer to type in the address.
makes a total boll---s of the trade.

before i get accused of distorting the facts, i wonder why this situation has arose?

Because the existing trade can't be bothered to arrange for new taxi ranks, and even if new ones are created they don't service them properly to ensure they succeed.

_________________
IDFIMH