Taxi Driver Online

...looks like The DSA will get their wish, (at the third attempt in the last ten years) and DSA driving tests are now on the agenda.

Question, for anyone who has taken the DSA test.

The DSA in it's (third) presentation to the licensing committee, claimed that successful candidates would get a discount of (up to!!!!!!) 25% on their cab insurance. my broker says only one on his panel of insurance. Anyone out there in taxi land ever got such a discount?

I apologise to anyone out there who suffered trauma after hearing me waffling on on Radio Lincolnshire, or even worse, saw me on Calendar or Look North.

And do failed candidates of the DSA driving test have their badges suspended untel they do pass?

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Former taxi driver

I'm a big fan of the DSA Taxi Test, but the insurance claim is rubbish.

Is the test mandatory for existing drivers?

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IDFIMH

It's not been decided yet. just out to "consultation"

My great concern for existing drivers is that should they fail the test their badge will be revoked until such time as they have passed which could be months later. You would not even be able to drive home from the test centre in your own vehicle. The DSA in their presentation here said that they have a (arbitrary?) fail/pass rate of 50%

I have been a professional driver for 37 years. I have a clean licence, I have a full ncb. what purpose would a driving test, (cost with training about £200) serve for me and others like me, who are carefull, responsible drivers?

And next NVQ's?

To feed the blood sucking ambulance chasing "trainers" in that "industry" who regularly write or call me offering a four day course for "nothing" and impending doom for me if I do not sign up before the latest deadline for funding?

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Former taxi driver

I do support the DSA test, it is carried out by proper examiners and is not just in the hands of a council official

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you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

That's bollox you can't do an NVQ in 4 days and the funding isn't going to run out anytime soon If you don't want to do it and you haven't got to do it then don't do it, it's that simple

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

Testing Times May Be Ahead For Taxi Drivers

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Every taxi driver in Lincoln will have to take an extra driving test, if a council consultation receives positive feedback.

The City of Lincoln Council has sent letters out to every firm in the city to ask if they would back a move to put drivers through a gruelling Driving Standards Agency exam.

Every one of the city's 579 taxi drivers, whether they have been in the job for decades or have just joined the profession, would have to take part in the test.

Kevin Barron, licensing manager at the council, said the authority is constantly looking for ways to improve standards.

We have some excellent drivers and taxi firms in the city," he said.

"But the council has an obligation to keep the travelling public safe.

"Currently we have no way we can assess a driver's competence."

Steve Read, managing director at Discount Cabs based in Monson Street, said he wanted to thank the council for consulting taxi firms.

"As long as this is improving standards I don't think it can be a bad thing," he said.

"We do have drivers though who have been taxi drivers for 40 years and they may take offence at having to take a test. I think it should maybe only be for new drivers."

The new test would comprise a practical exam similar to the current driving test, as well as a highway code test and eye examination.

The Driving Standards Agency would also test whether drivers could use wheelchair ramps and secure a wheelchair correctly.

The council's licensing committee is also considering introducing a knowledge test for both black cab and private taxi drivers to ensure drivers know basic facts about the area.

For more on the taxi tests, see Saturday's Echo.

Source; thisislincolnshire.co.uk

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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.

I think a sensible compromise could be if it applied to all new entrants, and existing drivers who gain a set number of penalty points each year, or have a number of complaints against them proved.

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IDFIMH

In the post today, a questionaire, to sound out existing taxi drivers.

Multi-choice, for the hard of thinking.

Question one.

"Do you think that the introduction of a DSA test would-"

A. Ensure that all drivers meet a recognised standard irrespective of experience.

B. Enhance safety for the travelling public.

C. Enhancr (sic) the status of drivers.

D.

Actually, there is no option D. There should be, to be fair, an option to say, "would- be a complete waste of time"

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Former taxi driver

Do you know what the acronym DSA stands for?

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Former taxi driver

Dyslexics Say ‘Allo’, instead of 'Hello'?

Are you supposed to just select one option?

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Grandad,

didnt i take a DSA test back in 1970 then?

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

and a french dyslexic would say "allo allo alllo" then?


i was peesssing bye.....

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

That's how multiple choice is supposed to work. This one is like an Iranian ballot paper.

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Former taxi driver

I agree, that's a fair and sensible option.