Taxi Driver Online

Glasgow taxi drivers could have to pass a new exam to qualify

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glas ... s-15215978

The ruling would apply to taxis, as well as private hire drivers like Uber.

Glasgow's taxi drivers, as well as private hire drivers like Uber, could soon have to attain a new professional qualification to be granted a licence.

Drivers currently have to take a customer care course as part of the process to attain their licence, but the council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee is proposing a new 150 hour course aimed at driving up customer care standards.

Under the proposals, drivers would have to attain a certification from the Scottish Qualifications Authority, which covers a broad range of issues, including driving in a professional manner, legal requirements and good practice for drivers, health and safety awareness, passenger awareness, transporting children and adults who need care and supervision, safety for wheelchair users, breakdown and emergency procedures, processing taxi fares and route planning.

If the proposal from the Licensing Committee is fully confirmed, it would mean that completing the new course would become a condition of the driver’s licence, replacing the current customer care course.

"A new training regime for taxi and private hire drivers is long overdue," explained Councillor Alex Wilson, Chair of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee.

"The current customer care course doesn’t reflect the realities of being a licensed driver in 2018 and has passed its sell-by-date.

"We need a course that clearly sets out the responsibilities and the standards expected of the city’s taxi and private hire drivers in a wide range of circumstances. We have to do everything that we can to ensure that licensed drivers are fit and proper people to carry all kinds of passengers and an enhanced training programme can help us achieve that aim.

"An improved training programme may also act as a barrier to those who think that picking up a driver’s licence is an easy option. Ensuring public safety is always of paramount importance and comprehensive training will help to drive up standards."

In other areas of the country, taxi trade groups have gained SQA accreditation to train drivers, and that could be replicated in Glasgow.

Don't like the sound of that - conflict of interest, much?

Unite are the lead supporters of such training, and also, surprise surprise offer to undertake the training courses.

For a price.

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IDFIMH

not if your a member,then its free,only have to pay if your not a member

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i started out with nothing and ive still got most of it left