Taxi Driver Online

Council under fire over taxi driver tests

A TAXI company manager has criticised plans to introduce literacy and numeracy tests for new drivers. Dave Watson, owner of Town Taxis, in Northallerton, said the proposals were "an insult to our intelligence".

Hambleton District Council is to consider bringing in the tests as part of the licensing application for new drivers.

Mr Watson said that, if approved, the extra regulations could make it more difficult to recruit drivers. He said: "I think the council is going way over the top with what it is asking of us. It is hard enough to find drivers at the moment without this. "This is just going to put people off. "The council seems to be putting more and more obstacles in the way."

Included in papers circulated to members of the council's licensing and environmental protection committee are sample questions that could be included in tests put to potential drivers.

Mr Watson said: "It is as though they are saying that, if someone struggles with reading, for example, they are not fit to be a taxi driver. "These tests would be an insult to our intelligence.

"I think they are treating us like children. Are they looking for people with A-levels and university degrees to become taxi drivers? "I just cannot see what these tests would achieve."

In Hambleton district, would-be taxi drivers go through criminal record checks and have to prove their knowledge of the area.

Martyn Richards, the district council's head of legal services, said the test would ensure a level of intelligence among drivers. He said: "They would be asked pretty standard questions.

"It would be another thing for taxi drivers in the district to comply with, and anybody wanting to be a taxi driver should have a basic level of literacy and numeracy.

"I do not think this would be a particularly arduous request. Taxi drivers have to read maps and be able to give change. "These tests would be a few extra questions on the knowledge tests that they already take. Everyone has got an opinion."

The plans will be discussed by the council's licensing and environmental protection committee tomorrow.

_________________
IDFIMH

I mean why would customers want a cab driver who can add up and read?

_________________
IDFIMH

They must be the ones where the despatch system talks to them, as well as the sat nav!

I can't see the problem, the London Minicab trades survived like this for decades, with the added bonus of their drivers not speaking English thrown in for good measure.

I can't see the problem, the London Minicab GMB branch surviv . . . . .

Can deaf or dumb people drive taxis?

_________________
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

I don't know abot that but we have a couple in our area with only one eye.

_________________
Grandad,