Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies face tough rules in Shropshire

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Taxi drivers wanting to work in Shropshire are facing tough new tests to drive away outsiders using the county as an easy way to get a licence.

New drivers will be expected to show detailed knowledge of the county, be able to speak English and be able to show good driving and social skills. The move comes after Shropshire Council revealed that more than eight of ten applicants are from outside the county.

Many have no plans to work in the area but are applying here because of cheap fees.

The council has seen a 400 per cent jump in the number of applicants for hackney carriage – or taxi – licences in Shropshire.

Officials fear some applicants have no intention of working here, but are applying because the licence fee is cheaper and success will let them work as private hire drivers elsewhere.

The cost of a licence in Birmingham is £190 while in Shropshire it is £130.

The council will also be strengthening its enforcement rules to make sure drivers comply with the terms of their licence.

Twelve taxi carriage vehicle licensing applications went before Shropshire Council’s licensing and safety sub-committee yesterday.

Not one applicant lived in Shropshire; eleven lived in Birmingham and the twelfth was from Wolverhampton.

Between September 1 and October 31 there were 158 applications for taxi licences – up from just 40 in the same period last year.

In total there were 500 taxi applications, up from 264 in 2010.

To be awarded a blue badge, applicants must pass a criminal records check, medical, driving and DVLA checks and a knowledge test.

At present, 60 per cent of applicants fail the knowledge test, which is conducted in English.

It includes questions about the local area and also looks at the applicants’ mathematical ability and their understanding of the highway code.

Councillors want to limit the number resits, increase the number of questions from 27 to 40 and raise the pass rate from 70 to 80 per cent. The committee also recommended a £30 resit fee.

It is proposed that the test be amended to include more questions about the local area and a written test.

source: http://www.shropshirestar.com

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Considering whats gone on, its a little like closing the door after the horse has bolted.

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I wonder if their much larger neighbour has been applying pressure ? or are they frightened all these drivers might decide to turn up on the rank in Shrewsbury or telford

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector