Taxi Driver Online

Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test say MSPs


NEW licensing laws could see private hire taxi drivers forced to sit a "knowledge test" the same as Hackney drivers.

The Scottish Parliament licensing committee recommended that new laws being considered should include the change that would see Glasgow's 3000 private hire drivers tested on main routes and city landmarks.

The committee recommended: "The Scottish Government should consider a full review of all aspects of taxi and private car licensing and report back to the Committee within this Parliamentary term."

The report stated the principal reason for licensing taxi and private hire cars is to ensure public safety.

It added: "The same knowledge test should apply to all drivers, both taxi and private hire."

Glasgow City Council is not in favour of the changes which would effectively end the two tier licensing system for drivers.

It said it would lead to customers believing private hire drivers were trained to the same standard as Hackney (black cab) drivers.

Michael McDougall solicitor with Glasgow City Council expressed the authority's opposition to the move in a written response to the committee.

He said: "The Licensing Authority is concerned that the Scottish Government's proposal to require the testing of PHC drivers erodes the difference between PHC and taxi drivers."

He said a key difference was the ability to pick up street hires without knowing the destination in advance.

He added: "The Authority understands that taxi drivers are tested as they are subject to "there and then hires" and therefore do not have an opportunity to research a route.

"However, PHC drivers by the very nature of being pre-booked, have the opportunity to make investigations into how to reach a destination.

Therefore, by imposing the same requirement on PHC drivers, it creates an impression that they are trained to an equivalent standard."

Glasgow Taxis, which operates most of the city's 'black cabs' did not wish to comment on the recommendation.

source: http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/priv ... .121354924

related: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=26506

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

Here in lies the problem, customers either already think PH and black cabs are the same thing or don't care.

weak argument from the council considering 2 of the largest PH operators in Glasgow withhold destinations from the drivers until they POB

If it's solely about public safety then why are saloon type vehicles used as private hire vehicles, go the whole hog and consider driver safety too, ban the use of saloon cars for fare paying passengers

A pre-booked black cab is a private hire is it not

_________________
Alway's been about Tightening the Grip!

No.

_________________
Grandad,

So how would you term it Grandad

_________________
Alway's been about Tightening the Grip!

I'd say it was a private hiring

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

A pre booked Hackney Carriage. A Hackney Carriage is always a Hackney Carriage within it's own area. Out of area it is still a Hackney Carriage but fares can then be negotiated before the start of the journey.

_________________
Grandad,

I'm 100% in agreement with Private Reggie and captain cab on this, a licensed Hackney taxi doing a radio, data or app job is on a private hire job so time to get out of the Greenways when on these type of hires!

Private Reggie I think we'll all like to hear you explain this away.

Don't know about Scotland but in England and Wales the following is in byelaws;

The proprietor or driver of a hackney carriage who has agreed or has been hired to be in attendance with the carriage at an appointed time and place shall, unless delayed or prevented by some sufficient cause, punctually attend with such carriage at such appointed time and place.

As I said - its a private hiring - I didn't say private hire booking.

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

There is nothing to stop ph companies from training their drivers to a higher level of knowledge and then advertising the fact so that they can compete on a level playing field with hackneys

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

A private hire is between punter and booking office then booking office and driver, the vehicle or licence type doesn't come in to it therefore allowing us Black Cab drivers access to the greenways, which access is based on vehicle type with a licence not based on the driver, as is the case with most ECPH airport brief holders

Glad to of service Fat Boab

_________________
Alway's been about Tightening the Grip!

Again unless things are different up your way, a Hackney Carriage must always use the meter on jobs entirely within the district and the fare charged can be no more than that shown on the meter.

_________________
Grandad,

except it aint a statutory requirement to have a taximeter

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

We can accept fixed fares if it's a private hire between punter and booking office, the general rule of thumb for jobs outwith our boundaries, the fare is fare by agreement.

_________________
Alway's been about Tightening the Grip!