Taxi Driver Online

6 Mar 2008

Test Valley taxi drivers tested

EXAMINERS at Winchester driving test centre took on an extra role
recently when they opened their doors to taxi testing for Test Valley
Borough Council.

Would-be taxi drivers wanting to work in the area covered by Test Valley
Borough Council now have to be assessed by the Driving Standards
Agency (DSA) before being given a licence to drive a cab.

More than 100 councils, including Winchester some years ago, have
already signed up to the taxi test.

Chief driving examiner Trevor Wedge said: "We are delighted that Test
Valley Borough Council has decided to introduce this assessment as
driving a taxi carries a great deal of responsibility."

Specially trained driving examiners will assess the ability of applicants to
drive safely and professionally in a real' environment. The test includes
manoeuvres designed specifically with the operational taxi driver in mind
and is set at a higher standard then the practical test for learner drivers.

The assessment ensures the competence of the applicant to drive
passengers in safety and comfort.

Those who are successful receive a certificate of competence. The taxi
driver assessment went live in Test Valley last month.

Taxi drivers are the only people to carry passengers for money who do
not have to take statutory vocational tests, unlike bus and coach drivers.

Source: Basingstoke Gazette
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