Taxi Driver Online

Winchester Council have requested I complete the DSA Taxi Test.

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/ac ... 1082155067

Has anyone recently completed this 'assessment' ? What is involved ?

I have a clean license and have driven various car and light goods vehicles.

I took my motorcycle test in 2009 so am familiar with the expectations of the DSA.

Is there anything else to know or any tips ? I don't have time/nor did I intend to take an tuition.

You will need a have a few lessons beforehand.

Ring your local DSA testing office and request a list of approved trainers.

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IDFIMH

The booking is for next Monday - I don't have time for any lessons before hand. If I fail then I will book up a day, really looking for some must do/pointers before Monday.

There was some recent comments about this subject in the general section but can't remember who posted them, perhaps somebody with a bit more savvy on this site can find it and point you in the right direction

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

Just make sure the car you are using is AOK spot on,lad took his test and a light came on the dashboard and the examiner cancelled the test.Another fella had been driving for donkeys years and failed but passed the next time and other people just sail through it.

I did mine about 5 years ago, at the time it was just like a normal driving test but you have to get through it with less minor points than you'd be allowed on a normal driving test. So all the usual hill start, turn in the road, mirror checks, hands on wheel 10 and 2 etc etc and a few questions on the highway code to finish. They also want a smooth ride as a passenger so gently with the gear changes HTH good luck for Monday

I just passed the Birmingham version of this which was conducted by a council driving instructor. I had six minor faults. what I will say is make sure you put your handbrake on as soon as a stop becomes a wait, in traffic etc. after your emergency stop remember to look over your left shoulder as well as your right before proceeding. when you reverse around a corner make sure you go back 4 or 5 car lengths before stopping. also remember to keep to speed limits. oh and brush up on your stopping distances, I was asked the distances in wet and icy conditions too.

Thanks All - That's exactly what I wanted.

I did my driving test in 1998 , but my bike test in 2009 so hopefully I should be ok.

My car for the test is a Laguna with auto hand brake release - hoping this won't be a problem.

seriously, this is a big problem, you will not get a test in a car that has auto hand break. I know a few that have tried and have not managed to get the test.

Well - it doesn't say anything about it when you book the test, and it's not like the test stipulates a manual or automatic for example.

Take the car to the test station tomorrow, explain why you are there and show them the car. You will not get a test with a auto hand break.

Not going to argue with you, I know from experience.

Also, you can't take the test in a hire car! Another silly rule for no obvious reason, but its true.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Le ... DG_4022543

I will call them tomorrow as Wednesday is the last day I can cancel.

Take the above advice. Just like the rest of us you will have developed some bad habits, they will be silly habits but enough to fail. A driving instructor will iron them out for you.

I took mine nearly 6 years ago and if I had not had an instructor for a few lessons (not a lot, but I cannot remember exactly how many) then I would have failed.

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if you cannot be yourself, then who can you be.

Thought I would update on the test - as I said above I didn't have time for any lessons.

I managed to only get 4 minors (2 for speeding) but he failed me on a taking the wrong lane at a roundabout joining the motorway.

I am not sure I needed lessons and he said apart from that he would have passed me.

He asked how many lessons I had and I said zero - and he was a bit bemused.

I will probably have another bash at it when I can get a booking.