Taxi Driver Online

Concerns over city council's taxi badge application tests

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Nottingham City Council has denied its tests for taxi drivers are too easy.

Some in the trade question the test examining a driver's knowledge of the city, while others ask how non-English speakers are passing the written exam – and suggest others may be sitting the paper for them.

But the council insists taxi licensing is "robust".

All prospective private hire and Hackney carriage drivers have to pass a driving and separate written test to get a licence.

The written exam – the topography test – ensures applicants can drive safely to a number of locations.

Applicants are supposed to show photographic identification to licensing officers before both tests.

But there are fears the ID checks are not being sufficiently enforced.

Mark Cartledge, chairman of the Association of Notts Private Hire Operators, said: "There's a lot of hearsay about people standing in for others to take tests."

"The problem is that when we go up to the driver who makes the claim they say it's all anecdotal."

"I don't know what the council can do about it."

He believes the problem is not widespread, but has been highlighted before.

"We raised it at one of our meetings and the council put in place ID checks for the topography tests," he said. "There have been other concerns that the topography test is too easy."

Ray Butterworth, secretary of the Association of Notts Private Hire Operators, said: "We've heard stories of drivers who have been given a badge when they should not be. It might be because of their limited ability to hold a conversation in English or read an A-Z Guide Book."

He said it was "reasonable to presume" some non-English speakers got others to sit the test for them.

Amjid Hussain, chairman of Nottingham Taxi Owners' and Licensed Drivers' Association, said: "They should have some sort of English speaking test to go with the topography and driving tests."

"Talking to the taxi drivers on the ranks, they are hearing rumours that people are going for the badge tests and not being asked for ID."

One city-based private hire car driver, who has worked in Nottingham for two years, said: "Too many of the drivers who have a licence badge do not speak English."

"How did they pass the tests?"

"When I did my test I was not asked for my ID."

However, a city council spokesman stressed there was a "robust" system in place for taxi licensing applications.

"Drivers are required to submit photo identification with their application and must show this in person," he said.

"All applicants who sit the test have their identification checked by photograph while they are taking it."

"Nottingham City Council uses several test papers and they are rotated so that an applicant will not, on their next test, have the paper they sat previously."

"This has been done for approximately ten years."

Source; http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/ ... ticle.html

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

Do they keep a copy of the ID produced at the test for later when the driver goes back to collect his license? If they don't it's not rocket science if you were so inclined to fiddle the system

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

This old chestnut again .................... how many times is this going to be highlighted before the only solution is accepted.

Probably as many times as there are councils.

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

and what is the only solution?

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

It's going on for ages in Nottingham. A mate of mine works for DG Cars, he's said many times that something is a miss with the knowledge test.

A Nationally recognised qualification PRIOR to grant of Licence.

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"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

How does that stop somebody else doing all the ground work for another applicant

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

Current systems are flawed because they are not regulated ................... regulate the process and safeguard the system .................... safeguard the system and the opportunity for abuse is reduced.

So for example, a person applies for a licence and is provided with a ID badge as a confirmed applicant for such a licence and then ensure that the person produces such a ID badge through each stage of the process until the application is completed.

Sorting out the problems of the trade isn't difficult .................... people just need to get over their own "vested interests" or those of other people and look at whats best for their profession.

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.

That's the way it work's in Sefton.. wereyoubeen

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

Now it makes sense, thank you

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

Busy mate .............................

Just thought I'd have a look on here again the other day .......................... and then remembered how much fun it is.

_________________
"Here's a simple solution. If you don't want to pay more for a premium service then wait in the queue, problem solved".
Skull on TDO

TF pi$$ed on his chips.