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Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26508		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  captain cab [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 8:37 am ]
Post subject:  Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
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
Author:  LongshanksED [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 8:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
Quote:
It said it would lead to customers believing private hire drivers were trained to the same standard as Hackney (black cab) drivers.


Here in lies the problem, customers either already think PH and black cabs are the same thing or don't care.
Author:  Foxtrot26 [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
weak argument from the council considering 2 of the largest PH operators in Glasgow withhold destinations from the drivers until they POB
Author:  Private Reggie [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
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 :wink:

A pre-booked black cab is a private hire is it not :badgrin:
Author:  grandad [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
Private Reggie wrote:

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

No.
Author:  Private Reggie [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 12:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
So how would you term it Grandad :?:
Author:  captain cab [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 12:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
I'd say it was a private hiring
Author:  grandad [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
Private Reggie wrote:
So how would you term it Grandad :?:

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.
Author:  Fat Boab [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
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.
Author:  captain cab [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
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.
Author:  toots [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 4:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
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
Author:  Private Reggie [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 5:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
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 :wink:

Glad to of service Fat Boab :lol: :lol:
Author:  grandad [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 5:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
Private Reggie wrote:
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

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.
Author:  captain cab [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 5:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
grandad wrote:
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.


except it aint a statutory requirement to have a taximeter :wink:
Author:  Private Reggie [ Tue Mar 24, 2015 5:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Private hire drivers should sit knowledge test
grandad wrote:
Private Reggie wrote:
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

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.

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.
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