Taxi Driver Online

Southport minicab bosses back moves to scrap controversial 'knowledge test'


Minicab bosses want Sefton to think again about 'memory test'

Two Southport minicab bosses have supported a petition to change Sefton’s knowledge test for drivers.

All prospective Hackney carriage and private hire drivers must past Sefton’s knowledge test, which was first introduced in 1993.

Candidates must answer six questions from a choice of 40, and identify the correct route for each trip. They must get at least five questions right, and there is no margin for error. The current pass rate is around 33%.

The proposal put forward by the Bootle-based firm Delta, is for a new test based on 10 questions, which cover a combination of routes and landmarks across Sefton.

The petition will be heard at Sefton Council's licensing committee meeting on Monday (September 21), where councillors could vote to scrap the test.

Adrian Hughes, a director of Southport firm All Whites, said: “Candidates have to learn or memorise routes, some of which are wrong. And passing the test does not make you a better driver. It is a memory test, that is all.

“I cannot think of any other job where your memory is tested. The knowledge test has become an unnecessary obstacle to becoming a driver, and needs to be changed. I would support a test that makes sure a driver knows important routes across Sefton. I would also like to point out that Delta has one of the best training academy’s in the country.”

John Whiteside, from Southport firm Yellow Tops, also said to the Visiter: “My issue with the knowledge test is that it is too general. “There should be a separate test for north Sefton or Southport drivers. Bootle drivers tend to do a lot of business in Liverpool, unlike drivers in Southport.”

Councillor Robert Brennan, who has agreed to sponsor Delta’s petition, said: “I do feel that some drivers would be placed at a disadvantage if they did not know parts of Sefton, and that to me is unfair given we are talking about peoples livelihoods.

“With sat navs and competent radio controllers I can see no need for the knowledge test.

“I’m more concerned that drivers receive training in safeguarding vulnerable adults and vulnerable children than how to navigate from A to B.”

source: http://www.southportvisiter.co.uk/news/ ... s-10071921

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

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

11. TAXI LICENSING - TAXI METERS
Further to Minute No. 40(4) (i) of 30 March 2015, the Committee
considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on the current
legal specification of taximeters and providing a comparison of the
alternative Global Positioning Systems (GPS) used for the calculation of
private hire fares.
The Head of Trading Standards and Licensing presented the report and
indicated that the Council was presently awaiting the outcome of a High
Court Case on the use of GPS systems and whether they were to be
considered as a taximeter by Transport for London, before moving further
on this.
Arising from discussion, it was suggested that subject to the High Court
decision, a report be commissioned to consider the future of Hackney
Carriage and Private Hire Services.

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

Candidates must answer six questions from a choice of 40, and identify the correct route for each trip. They must get at least five questions right, and there is no margin for error. The current pass rate is around 33%.

clearly a lot of these drivers don't know their way around then. I personally think knowledge and English skills testing should be tougher to pass as it makes the trade more professional in theory at least

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

I an at a loss as to why they need more Sefton drivers...DELTA..says that !500 of his never work Sefton..ever.

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

It's called greed Mr T those who have plenty always want more

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

Meeting tonight..

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

The test has been................

drivers. Drivers should have a basic geographical knowledge—not the knowledge, because that would be unrealistic, but a basic grasp of London. They should also be required to have at least a basic command of the English language. TfL is looking closely at that, too, and we will hear in the next few weeks where it has got with that. http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id ... -15a.221.0

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

the test has been?

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

Any updates on how the meeting went ?

That;s all I got..the phone went dead..

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

They are keeping the test.. The vote to keep it was .....unanimous...

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

Well that's good news.

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IDFIMH

33% pass rate but you can resit it the following Tue & Thur for no cost, so 99% pass rate after 3 attempts ??

I don't think that it would work like that. If you have 100 people take the test then 33 will pass. The other 67 take the test again and 22 pass. the remaining 45 take the test again and 15 will pass so that would still leave 30 who haven't passed.

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Grandad,