Braintree district: Knowledge test for school route drivers droppedSchool route drivers and limousine chauffeurs will no longer need to pass a “knowledge” test in order to get a licence.
Braintree Council operates a private hire drivers’ knowledge test for taxi drivers, which requires an ability to know suitable routes across the district.
But some firms believe the complex test meant it was difficult to find suitable staff.
Braintree Council licensing committee chairman Mike Banthorpe said: “We did introduce a knowledge test a few years ago.
“Last time we had representations from a limousine operator and a school run operator saying their drivers didn’t need to know every street in Halstead, Braintree and Witham.”
Braintree Council has approved plans to introduce an exemption to the knowledge test, but has announced tougher penalties for drivers who try to cheat the system.
The authority has the power to bring offenders before a drivers panel and revoke licences if necessary.
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