Taxi Driver Online

Shortage of taxi drivers in Consett because of tough tests


TAXI firms in north Durham have said they are struggling to recruit drivers because new licensing tests are too difficult and not relevant.

Private hire drivers in County Durham now have to pass hackney carriage tests that show their knowledge of the entire county as well as licensing law.

Figures from Durham County Council show just 12 per cent of local area tests taken were passed, while 14 per cent of the legal knowledge tests were a success.

Cab firms in Consett say the tests are not relevant for their drivers as they are pre-booked and have set fares.

Taxi bosses have said they are struggling to recruit new drivers, leaving a shortage of drivers taking people home after nights out in the town.

They also say the lack of drivers mean some unlicensed car owners have been offering lifts revellers and advertising their services on Facebook.

Jonathan Bone, who has taken and failed the taxi test three times, said: “I know the Consett area and where I am going around here. It is not likely that someone is going to get in and say ‘take me to Peterlee.’ If they did you would just ask them where and use a sat nav.”

Atlas, Neasham’s and Jackson’s are all working with Durham County Councillor Owen Temple to call on the authority to make the test more relevant to their needs.

Cllr Temple said: “I am very frustrated that ordinary decent people who want to earn a living are being prevented from it by a test that is harder than getting into many British universities.

“We have people stuck, unable to get away from Consett late at night because there not enough drivers.

“I have great concerns about safety and people using illegal taxis. I heard a worrying story at a police meeting where a lady got out of car and did not know who the driver was.”

The new taxi tests were introduced in December and only 14 people have passed the locality test since then.

Joanne Waller, head of environment, health and consumer protection at Durham County Council, said: “In response to the issues raised by Cllr Temple we have agreed to consider the detail of the test to see whether it might be possible to amend it to address concerns raised by some private hire operators but without lowering the standards we would expect.”

Ms Waller urged anyone with information about drivers operating illegally to note the vehicle’s registration and contact the council.

She said: “We would urge anyone with information which suggests this is happening to report it to us so that we can investigate and, where necessary, take appropriate action.

“We would also remind people that they should only ever use licensed taxis.”

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

Perhaps a US style system of crushing vehicles used as illegal taxis might discourage the facebook cowboys

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

The first thing to do is figure out how to catch the face book Cowboys as I would assume there only offering there services to people on their friends list, and if stopped how can you prove money has changed hands.

It's round here with them on Facebook, you get people asking for lifts in to town then you've got the boy racers advertising lifts in to town.

seems like a recipe for disaster tbh

I suggest the firms that can't get drivers start advertising for applicants with brains then.

Why should our trade be the one that has to suck up the country's [edited by admin]?

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IDFIMH

Consett is not exactly a boom town surely there are enough locals who could pass the test to be hired or is it a case of firms only recruiting immigrants who will work for peanuts?

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