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Free Lancaster course to address 'shortage' of drivers
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Author:  StuartW [ Fri Jan 23, 2026 6:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Free Lancaster course to address 'shortage' of drivers
:roll:


Free taxi driver course being offered by Lancaster City Council

https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/new ... il-5487780

Lancaster City Council is currently offering a taxi driver course free of charge thanks to government funding.

A spokesman for Lancaster City Council said: “Taxi driving can be a flexible and rewarding career, giving you the opportunity to work independently while providing an essential service to your local community.

“As a licensed taxi driver, you can be your own boss; choose the hours you work to fit around other commitments and benefit from consistent demand and guaranteed work across the district.

“You don’t need your own vehicle, previous taxi driving experience or to pay course fees – the training is fully funded and delivered at Lancaster and Morecambe College.”

Lancaster City Council are offering this free course to help address a local shortage of taxi drivers.

A spokesman said: “Having more licensed drivers on the road benefits everyone in the Lancaster district by improving access to transport for residents, visitors and businesses; supporting people who rely on taxis, including older people, disabled passengers and shift workers; helping the local night-time economy and hospitality sector thrive and reducing waiting times and improving availability during peak periods and events.”

“The course covers essential knowledge, safety and safeguarding, helping you start your career with confidence while maintaining high standards for public safety.”

There are limited places remaining on the next course, taking place on January 30.

Courses are also being run on February 12, February 18 and February 27.

To book a place on a free course at Lancaster and Morecambe College visit https://www.lmc.ac.uk/taxi
Author:  StuartW [ Fri Jan 23, 2026 6:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Free Lancaster course to address 'shortage' of drivers
Quote:
A spokesman for Lancaster City Council said: “Taxi driving can be a flexible and rewarding career, giving you the opportunity to work independently while providing an essential service to your local community.

“As a licensed taxi driver, you can be your own boss; choose the hours you work to fit around other commitments and benefit from consistent demand and guaranteed work across the district.

“You don’t need your own vehicle, previous taxi driving experience or to pay course fees – the training is fully funded and delivered at Lancaster and Morecambe College.”

Some contradictory stuff there - if you're not driving your own vehicle then I'd guess you're not really your own boss and working independently etc.

Maybe if it's some sort of rental car, but, you know...
Author:  StuartW [ Fri Jan 23, 2026 6:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Free Lancaster course to address 'shortage' of drivers
Quote:
Lancaster City Council are offering this free course to help address a local shortage of taxi drivers.

Last time Lancaster was mentioned on here about four months ago, this was the headline :-o

Lancaster taxi drivers say rise of Uber due to licensing loophole is ‘crippling’ their business


https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/new ... ss-5331990

Taxi drivers in Lancaster say their livelihoods are under threat due to Uber drivers operating in the area from out of town.



So the answer is to shove more drivers through the system because of a (perceived) shortage of drivers :-o

I'd guess the 'shortage' is actually that of local circuits who just won't more cars on their books.

Therefore just the same thing I've been hearing for 30 years in the trade. When here in East Fife, over the festive period for example, it's the usual problem for me of even getting on a rank, and quite a few times waiting 1.5 to 2 hours for a run.

And think I broke my record for one of the town's ranks - 2.5 hours, as I recall it ](*,)

While the local bigwigs here complain to the council about "a crisis in driver recruitment and retention across Fife" :roll:

(St Andrews is very dependent on the students and tourism sectors, so it's a bit different here from the norm during Christmas and New Year.)
Author:  StuartW [ Fri Jan 23, 2026 6:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Free Lancaster course to address 'shortage' of drivers
This the graphic used in the article. To 'benefit residents'. Yes, I'm sure that's what it's all about :roll:

Image
Author:  StuartW [ Fri Jan 23, 2026 6:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Free Lancaster course to address 'shortage' of drivers
Can't remember if it's been mentioned on here before, but seems this particular thing has been going on for some time now :-o

https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/sites/busi ... axi-driver

https://www.lmc.ac.uk/application/files ... yer_25.pdf
Author:  edders23 [ Sat Jan 24, 2026 7:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Free Lancaster course to address 'shortage' of drivers
Quote:
“Taxi driving can be a flexible and rewarding career,


what a comedian :lol: :lol: :lol:
Author:  Sussex [ Sat Jan 24, 2026 8:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Free Lancaster course to address 'shortage' of drivers
I wonder what training is being offered.

Do you need training to pass a medical?

Do you need training to pass a DBS?

Or to read and remember a map/locations?
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