Taxi Driver Online

Cabbies Must Pass A-Z Exam

13th September 2008

Hundreds of Merseyside cabbies are considering legal action after being told they must sit a “knowledge” exam.

The test scrutinises a driver’s ability to navigate the quickest and easiest routes around an area, effectively becoming a human A-Z.

Private hire drivers in Knowsley have not had to take the exam since 2001.

But Knowsley council has begun moves to reinstate it and force drivers without the “knowledge” to sit the test.

One outraged cabbie, who would not be named, said: “There are 600 Knowsley cab drivers who are considering taking the council to court because they believe it is illegal to back-date this to 2001, even though some drivers have been doing the job for seven years.

“There is a petition going around the drivers, which everyone is signing.”

He said the council suspended the exam in 2001 to encourage jobless residents to find work as taxi drivers.

Billy Sweeney, co-founder of Kirkby’s Acorn Cars, said taxi firms opposed to the move have submitted their own proposals to the council and are awaiting a response.

He said up to 600 private hire drivers were considering legal action as a group, but added: “We have not made our minds up with regards to which way we are going.

“We are discussing with other taxi drivers what our next move could be.”

A council spokesman said: “We want to ensure private hire and hackney carriage drivers in Knowsley offer the best possible experience to their customers and that standards of training are consistent."

“The Street Knowledge Test ensures drivers are aware of the most cost-effective and quickest routes within the borough, as well as prominent public buildings and places, which will benefit all our residents."

“We are confident existing drivers, who obviously already have experience of working in Knowsley, will not find the test too challenging.

“Before the licensing committee made this decision last month, it had consulted with a number of associations and interest groups."

“We received representations in favour and against the reintroduction of the test, but the committee felt it was the best option as it guarantees minimum standards of geographical knowledge."

“Since the decision, we have been contacted by a number of drivers in favour of the test.”

Drivers have been given a year to pass the test, with a one-day training course.


Source; Liverpool Echo

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

No surprise there then!!!

But proof, if it were ever needed, just how councillors throughout the country view our 'trade'.

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

Something tells me that the council can't do this, because by approving & licensing applicants for a Private Hire Drivers Licence, they must have deemed those applicants 'Fit & Proper' at the time.

The council will look fools in a court of law, as they will be admitting that these drivers were not 'Fit & Propoer' when they were licensed & therefore should never have been approved as licensed drivers in the first place.

Another case of a council being NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE

It's another thing though, if an individual driver has a complaint made against him/her that he 'prolonged a journey'. Then IMO the council could insist that the driver takes the 'knowledge' before being re-instated.

And what happens if the council go ahead & drivers do not attain the required standard within a year.

Are they going to loose their PH Driver's Licence?

Don't think so some how!!

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

We were having a very similar debate in relation to the DSA for Darlington (I think) cabbies.

I was certain that it wouldn't apply to the existing trade, but the mush with the wig said otherwise.

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IDFIMH

The DSA Taxi Driving Test? What for existing cabbies?

On what grounds did the 'Big Wig' give that judgement?

What were his reasons?

Retrospective things like this are rare!

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

dont see what the problem is if they know there way around they should pass easy 1/2 hour test and back on the road must be too many TAXIS/cars in knowsley ATM

Sounds like they are all at the pick and mix stall, and when you check the bags none will be the same

I have to say that I am all for improving the standards of taxi drivers regardless as to whether they are HC or PH. I think there should be proper training courses in place for taxi drivers and it shouldn't be considered the 'easy option' or the 'pocket money job'. With regard to back dating an exam surely that is physically impossible. There is always the option that when renewing your badge if you don't pass the knowledge you will no longer be considered a 'fit & proper person' has anybody thought of that and with some having 7 years experience of the job one has to question the reasoning behind the reluctance to sit it. I do believe though that if a driver already holds a badge then they should be given FREE tests, they should not have to pay for it. Also they should not be placed under pressure by saying if you fail you will loose your licence but at the same time it would have to be decided how many goes at the test does one person need. I believe drivers should be putting efforts in to stop any Tom, Dick or Tracey becoming a taxi driver. People don't appreciate that actual skills required to be driver and not forgetting the social implications for many drivers. I believe that the more difficult it is to become a taxi driver the more people will appreciate the efforts we will go through to obtain what will then be considered a 'proper job' with the respect due from a professional career. I am fed up to the back teeth of people asking me what my other job is......... like I've got time for another job!!

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

It's on here somewhere.

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IDFIMH

These were the same drivers that wanted greater freedom of choice in vehicles?

CC

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

Oh shut up you fanny . . . you dictate your own rules, it's your trade after all. . . isn't it?

Who the feck would ask councillors anything?

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

It should be an interesting case but considering a drivers license comes up for renewal every one, two or three years, then the question that must be posed is whether or not the council are under any obligation to renew the license considering the fact that the applicant hasn't met the current licensing conditions?

The 1976 act doesn't specifically state that a private hire driver applicant needs to undertake a knowledge test but councils have circumvented this legislation by inventive use of a particular section of the same act.

Hackney carriage driver Mr Kay found the court agreeing with the council when he was required to undergo a DSA test, a case which did eventually go to the high court. We shall have to wait and see if knowsley private hire drivers can succeed where Mr Kay failed?

Considering these private hire drivers reportedly number hundreds then court costs should not be a problem but what is the cheaper option, sitting the test, or going to court?

From my perspective regarding the legal interest I would prefer a court case but that certainly wouldn't be my advice.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

cant see em passing any A-Z test then...

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

Havent you got a retarded section just for yourself?

CC

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