Private Hire Driver Licensing: Introduction of Topographical
(Map Reading/Route Finding) Skills Assessment
This Notice gives important information about an additional requirement that all private hire driver applicants will need to meet before they can become licensed. This new requirement will apply to all new driver applicants who make an application on or after 1 April 2006.
Background
In accordance with Sections 13(2) and (3) of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998, all private hire drivers who apply after the 1 April 2006 must complete a topographical skills assessment.
Topographical (map reading/route finding) assessment
The assessment will consist of 5 units, which are:
1) Unit 1- Map reading ability- how to use a map, index and grid references to identify a location;
2) Unit 2- Route selection (local)- how to identify and plan a route or routes, using a map, within the area in which the driver lives or works (as chosen by the driver);
3) Unit 3- Route selection (intermediate)- how to identify and plan a route or routes, using a map, starting within the area in which a driver lives/ works and finishing in an area other than the one in which they live/ work but within London;
4) Unit 4- Route selection (long distance)- how to identify and plan a route or routes, using a map, starting within the area in which a driver lives or works but finishing outside London;
5) Unit 5- General topography- general knowledge of geography in and around London including, for example, major arterial roads originating from London and sites of interest in and around London, tourist attractions and main transport interchanges.
Exemptions from the topographical skills requirements
Any private hire driver applicant who satisfies any one of the criteria listed below will be regarded as having already satisfied the topographical skills requirement and will, therefore, be exempt:
• licensed London taxi drivers – both All London and Suburban;
• licensed London private hire drivers;
• London private hire driver applicants, who have applied before 1 April 2006 and been issued with a temporary permit;
• professional London tourist guides (eg Blue Badge Driver Guide, Association of Professional Tourist Guides);
• an individual who can provide the PCO with evidence of a relevant vocational qualification in passenger transport (eg NVQ or equivalent).
What drivers need to do
Private hire driver applicants will receive comprehensive information in their application pack. This will inform them how to arrange their assessment and each pack will include:
• a list of assessment centres and providers;
• where they are located;
• contact details; and,
• cost.
Licensed London operators may wish to have arrangements with a preferred assessment centre or service provider and may advise or guide potential drivers or applicants to their preferred supplier. (An initial list of ‘accredited’ assessment centres will be made available by mid-March 2006.)
Applicants will be required to complete the assessment successfully only once and will not be required to renew their assessment on subsequent licence applications or should they change area or licensed operator.
Who will carry out the assessment?
The PCO will accredit any institution that is able to satisfy the PCO’s requirements for carrying out the assessment and where the PCO has formally approved that institution to carry out the service.
The means of delivering an assessment service is intended to be as inclusive as possible and it is fully expected that the institutions who will be accredited will include professional training schools involved in training within the transport sector and licensed London private hire operators.
Any institution (including London licensed operators) can apply to the PCO to be accredited to deliver the topographical skills assessment but they must be able to satisfy the requirements set out in a detailed specification. Those institutions that are interested in becoming an accredited service provider or would like any more information about what to do or how to do it, can contact the PCO via e-mail
phvtopskills@pco.org or by telephone on:
Liam Riley 020 7126 3822
Patricia Isiodu 020 7126 1808
The PCO can provide the specification for potential service providers, which will provide all the necessary background and evaluation information (some of which is mandatory) together with details on how to submit proposal.
By April 2006, the PCO plans to have ‘accredited’ up to 20 service providers within the Greater London area. It is fully expected, however, that the list of service providers will change and grow over time. Potential service providers may apply to become accredited by the PCO at a time that suits them and there is no imperative for a service provider to be accredited by 1 April 2006.
The scope of the topographical skills requirement, and how it is delivered, will be kept under review.
Please note: If you are a ‘small’ licensed London operator (ie you operate 2 vehicles or less) it is unlikely you will have the necessary infrastructure and/or facilities to deliver the topographical skills assessment but you will need to inform any new drivers you employ that they will be required to complete the assessment.
Should you have any queries or need further clarification about the content of this Notice, please contact the PCO via the e-mail address or telephone numbers given above.
16 February 2006 Roy Ellis
Head of the Public Carriage Office
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