Taxi Driver Online

Hi folks
Having just received my license renewal I have now started to think about the mandatory Taxi Driver Training course that we will now have to complete.

I am just wondering whether anybody has actually been on the course yet or knows anybody who's been on it, and what it is like and what is expected.

I am trying to decide whether to go with Dundee College or join the Unite Union and do the course with them, though I am trying to weigh up will the services of Unite Union ever be helpful to me as a taxi driver.

I would be grateful if anybody has any info on the courses, and costs and so on, and how is it timetabled, ie is it flexible, and what is the difference between Dundee College and Unite versions of the course.

Thank you

I am surprised that it is mandatory to an established driver. Most LA's seem to apply new rules/training/courses to new entrants, more than likely on the basis that they cannot legally stop an established driver from working, when he has been doing the job without complaint..........however I could be wrong.

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Common sense........is just not that Common.

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

I thought their hooters would be in the trough.

That said do whats best for you, which is usually the cheapest, quickest and most convenient.

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IDFIMH

Lots of LAs in England introduced it to current drivers years ago. They made it mandatory in a lot of areas for both current and new entrants. The difference being current drivers had about 5 years to get it and new entrants had to get it before they got their badge.

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

but only really sh*t ones would recommend a course as dictated by a union

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

I am thinking - say a guy/girl has been doing the job 10/20/30 years.....are they saying that will will make you redundant if you do not comply ! because I feel that they would fall down legally on that one.

As I said - a new entrant I can understand, I feel an established driver would be able to take them to the cleaners.

They introduced the BTEC/whatever down here........only for new entrants. Remember ! we also come under England & Wales licensing, so I do not think that it is just an English as such problem.

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Common sense........is just not that Common.

Here they are making it a condition of your license that you pass the course by 2017.

Here is their Taxi Licence Applications guidelines -

http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk//licensing/taxilicences/

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Taxi Driver Training

The Licensing Committee have agreed that all drivers should be trained to SVQ level 2 or equivalent by 31st May 2017.

Two courses have been approved, one is the one being organised by Unite the Union and its an SVQ level 2 and the other is being run by Dundee & Angus College. This is a vocational related qualification (VRQ) which meets the knowledge requirements of SVQ level 2 in Road passenger Transport.

For information on the courses please telephone 01382 834874 (Dundee & Angus College) or 01382 227369 (Unite the Union).

Details of the Dundee & Angus College Course Click Here

The benefits of training are

For the trade it will:

Improve the image of the taxi trade
Result in a better quality of service and reduce the number of complaints
Provide a better image of Dundee, especially with visitors and tourists
For the operator/taxi offices it will:

Attract more drivers with the right skills
Improve reliability and retention of drivers
Improve competitiveness and best value
Raise standards in the quality of service provided
Increase customer satisfaction, reduce complaints and liabilities
Improve loyalty of customers
Raise the profile of the company
Improve business performance
For the driver it will provide:

Improved self-esteem and job satisfaction
The prospect to enhance earnings through quality of service provided
The opportunity to work in an acknowledged profession
An opportunity to engage in learning and obtain a recognised qualification
Enhance the quality of service provided
The potential to reduce insurance costs
For Dundee City Council it will:

Reduce costs of monitoring drivers
Result in fewer complaints and public risk
Make it easier for local authorities to collaborate on licensing regimes thereby assisting labour mobility
Local authorities create a locally licensed service which achieves nationally recognised standards

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Always makes me smile does that one.

Back some years ago it became a local pastime with our "rag" to slag off the drivers ! one of the articles that they published (cannot remember actual figures) was that Cardiff had had something like 300 + complaints over three years! When I worked it out from (Their estimated journeys per annum) we had a better lessor complaint ratio than 5* hotel - on that, I kid you not.

It was almost infinitesimal (I like that word) in the calculations as we do something like 7,000,000 journeys per year and complaints came out at something like 0.00003456, of which is bloody amazing when we also deal with drunk/drugged up A.O's of society. The article was printed along with my calculations in the local rag...........nobody disputed the article or the figures.

I am still of the opinion that they could not if legally challenged stop a man/woman earning their living, if they refused to do the course. If they are that concerned then they should fund it themselves. To me it is an indictment of the failure of L.A's to properly vet/interview (one to one) to see if the applicant is fit for purpose.

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Common sense........is just not that Common.

It would be interesting to see a test case of that, however I will myself just go through with the course, I have heard its £400 for the College version and free if you join Unite Union (which costs about £150 FT member/£75 PT member, per year).

Its common practice today for people even with decades of experience to have to 'go on a course' to effectively keep their own jobs. It would be great to see that challenged, but most people are afraid to lose their jobs.