Taxi Driver Online

The Northern Echo

February 10, 2007

HEADLINE: CLIMBDOWN ON TESTS FOR TAXI DRIVERS IN DISTRICT

COUNCILLORS have voted for a watered-down version of controversial tests for taxi drivers. Hambleton District Council's licensing committee yesterday agreed to introduce knowledge tests and taxi assessment tests for new drivers only.

From now, drivers applying for a taxi licence in Hambleton will have to pass the test.

The knowledge test will be introduced from September 1 for new drivers and existing drivers who have valid complaints made about their driving. Martyn Richards, the authority's legal services head, told the meeting that he believes both tests would improve safety and efficiency for passengers.

But councillors said it would not be right to make existing drivers prove their abilities. Councillor Andrew Robinson said: "Have we got bad drivers so we need to make these bad drivers sit a test? I do not think there is any evidence of this."

Coun John Coulson, who opposed both tests, said: "We are in such a position that this authority has stopped funding its tourist information centres. "We are cutting money out here and money out there, and here we are trying to introduce another Big Brother."

Speaking after the meeting, Dave Watson, from Town Taxis, in Romanby, said: "I think common sense has prevailed, but many of these items that have been discussed are already part of the rules."

The proposals will now go before the full council for approval.
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Another sensible council. FFS.

Make the new and the bad take the test.

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IDFIMH

Yeah, got to agree.....but this is also one of those areas where people are aquiring plates and using them as PH elsewhere....so the new rules tend to make more sense.

CC

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