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Sat navs spell end for driver tests
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Author:  captain cab [ Mon Oct 12, 2015 8:57 am ]
Post subject:  Sat navs spell end for driver tests
Sat navs spell end for driver tests

Private hire drivers are being given licences without having to demonstrate they know their way around, because they can use a sat nav.

Wolverhampton council has been accused of quietly dropping the Knowledge-style practical exam for private hire licences, although it remains in force for black cabs. All drivers still have to be trained and learn the key locations. And they also have training to recognise potential child sexual exploitation, which councils have brought in after the Rotherham sex abuse scandals.

Previously all drivers had to sit a practical assessment lasting around two hours to demonstrate their local knowledge.

It included 50 locations and key destinations such as West Park, New Cross Hospital and Bentley Bridge. But the test no longer applies to private hire drivers, whose cars are booked in advance with an agreed fare.

Drivers have also been tested on their English since 2012.

Colin Parr, licensing manager for Wolverhampton council, said: “We scrutinise prospective drivers’ previous motoring convictions and depending on their nature they may have a bearing on their ability to secure a licence.

“The robust Knowledge-style practical examination continues to be undertaken by new Hackney Carriage drivers. This is no longer a requirement of new Private Hire driver, though an understanding of the city’s geography remains a component of the training.

“This is because Hackney Carriage drivers charge a metered fare, and therefore need to demonstrate to us that they have an intimate knowledge of Wolverhampton unaided by a sat nav.

“By the same token, private hire fares are agreed at the time of booking and it is standard industry practice now for private hire drivers to use sat navs.”

A taxi driver, who asked not to be named, said: “They’ve rushed this through and got rid of the driving test element, which has been quietly dropped.

“Now as long as a private hire vehicle has a sat nav, that’s enough for him to demonstrate he knows where he’s going.” Parminder Sekhon, chairman of the Wolverhampton Taxi Owners’ Association, said: “A sat nav is a tool but it doesn’t replace your knowledge. You couldn’t rely on one in Wolverhampton city centre at the moment with all the changes.”

source: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2015 ... ver-tests/
Author:  alan78 [ Mon Oct 12, 2015 2:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sat navs spell end for driver tests
Opening the floodgates for Uber.
Author:  cabbyman [ Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sat navs spell end for driver tests
I would not have been impressed with any driver that took me along some of the roads that our sat nav picked out for us in Spain last week.

We were staying with my sister and on numerous occasions it wanted us to turn right two turnings early. We did take that turn once and we ended up on a deeply rutted cart track. Yes, it was the 'shortest' route but it nearly cost me my insurance excess!!!
Author:  captain cab [ Mon Oct 12, 2015 11:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sat navs spell end for driver tests
its almost as if you people think a taxi driver should know where theyre going FFS
Author:  Chris the Fish [ Mon Oct 12, 2015 11:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sat navs spell end for driver tests
captain cab wrote:
its almost as if you people think a taxi driver should know where theyre going FFS

You can't possibly think a Taxi Driver could learn all that rubbish.

They must spend all their time learning the following, to the total exclusion of all else:

1. An NVQ in how to get the ramps out.

2. A full understanding of how to drive in such a way as to save 25p a day in fuel charges.

3. An NVQ in how to fit Wheelchair straps.

4. A Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Course.

5. An NVQ in how to stow the ramps away.

6. Euro Emissions and why some vehicles (LTC, formerly LTI) had an exemption to implementation dates.

7. An NVQ in all Wheelchairs in common production (I believe just over 500 models) and their securing points.

8. A new Taxi and PH Act, which may or may not become Law.

9. An NVQ in being polite to customers.

10. Instruction Manual for the SatNav.

11. An NVQ in what a BTech actually is.

12. A BTech in what an NVQ actually is.

13. How to fill in a DBS form.

14. A mathematics course so you can give change.

15. A be nice to Guide Dogs course.

16. How to arrange a Group II medical appointment.
Author:  edders23 [ Thu Oct 15, 2015 4:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sat navs spell end for driver tests
hmmmmm...................... assuming a sat nav will not get someone lost is a dangerous game there's no substitute fro REAL Knowledge
Author:  toots [ Thu Oct 15, 2015 9:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sat navs spell end for driver tests
http://www.rac.co.uk/community/blog/rac ... on-stories
Author:  Private Reggie [ Fri Oct 16, 2015 10:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sat navs spell end for driver tests
toots wrote:
http://www.rac.co.uk/community/blog/rac-blog/april-2013/satellite-navigation-stories


http://www.thompsons.law.co.uk/road-tra ... t-navs.htm

There is no alternative to the Knowledge :wink:
Author:  toots [ Fri Oct 16, 2015 11:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Sat navs spell end for driver tests
Private Reggie wrote:
toots wrote:
http://www.rac.co.uk/community/blog/rac-blog/april-2013/satellite-navigation-stories


http://www.thompsons.law.co.uk/road-tra ... t-navs.htm

There is no alternative to the Knowledge :wink:


Clearly
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