Taxi Driver Online

I had a look at the 1988 Road Traffic Act and can only find reference to instruction and not assessing but that's not to say it isn't there. I get bored reading them and tend scan rather than absorb words.

I concede that a journey in my vehicle may not be any different to a journey in Sussex vehicle but a journey in a smelly unkempt vehicle with a driver that doesn't really give a sh*t about customers may not be as good as in mine or Sussex vehicles.

Drivers don't have to take the NVQ it is not a mandatory course (well in most areas it's not) it is the Btec/VRQ that is mandatory and it is that course that will cost drivers money if they don't do the NVQ.

Just because somebody has been doing something for 20 years doesn't necessarily make them good at it does it. Qualifications won't guarantee anything either there is not and never will be a perfect to solution to anything.

To be fair though there are a lot of drivers out there that have enjoyed these courses and say they have gained something, even if it's only something small, from doing them.

With regard to the qualification of the assessers they should have experience of the trade they are assessing and also hold the relevant qualification to do it. Mine is an A1 accreditation.

I do this because I believe that taxi drivers deserve recognition for their efforts and I also believe it doesn't really go far enough. It is far too easy to become a taxi driver and I believe that the standards of the people driving the vehicles should be high and they should be trained properly not just through an NVQ. Having said that it would be unfair to prevent somebody from attaining the correct qualifications to become a taxi driver just because they don't do well in training situations and that is where the NVQ comes into it's own. You can be seen doing the job well rather than writing about how well you intend to do the job. I know it needs improving and I'm sure it will be as the trade contributes to the actual courses. Well that's my opinion anyway.

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

An NVQ or BETEC course isn't likely to change the hygene habits of a cab driver is it? Is that the be all and end all of these courses? I don't know the level of your understanding of your local byelaws or how conversant you are with legislation but I would suggest that if I asked ten assessors and ten trainers, "what was a drivers regulations when using a hackney carriage under a contract of private hire within the district for which it is licensed" I would get 20 different answers. Now if I asked sussex the same question I know for a fact he would answer correctly so where does that leave these so called Trainers and Assessors? If those being assessed know more than those doing the training and assessing what is the point of these courses?

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Perhaps those that know everything should teach those that don't

I'm sure you would make a wonderful contribution to the courses

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

You make a good point, but I would sooner those doing the teaching were teaching in front of folks who either wanted to advance their knowledge of the trade, or folks with a shed load of complaints against them.

_________________
IDFIMH

The point is this, what is the point of subscribing to a course where those given the task of teaching or training whichever way you wan't to describe it, are less qualified than those being taught?

I know you don't base your whole argument on the foundation of hygene but surely you can't defend a position where the person doing the training could possibly be the least knowledgeable person in the classroom?

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

I had a similar problem in PE at school.....I was far better than the teacher....but still had to attend

regards

CC

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

I would blame the Education act, don't ask me which one.

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Having the least knowledge is not the same as being the least qualified. If the trade gave the knowledge to the qualified it would be a better course. All aspects of employment now need qualifications. Whether they should or shouldn't is not my argument. I do believe that taxi drivers should have qualifications. As I've said before that's only my opinion and you of course have yours

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

How would you describe the qualification? Would it be a ground floor level basic qualification or something more substantial?



I don't understand why you blame the trade for the failings of a course that is designed by established bodies such as EDEXCEL. Aren't they supposed to know what they are doing?



Would that be meaningful qualifications?



And I take it you believe you have the type of qualifications that you desire others to have?



I have to go out shortly but I will give you my opinion on the subject of courses and qualification when I return.

Regards

JD

_________________
Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Today is my day and I'm going out for meal so I'll answer it tomorrow cos I want a relaxed day and some fun

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

jd haing read your replies i am in agreeance with your good self it is a money making exercise which adds no value to the trade whatsoever i personally am annoyed with the so called examiners in york who it has been stated on earlier pages on the forum by myself and others have siezed an opportunity to profit out of the trade which for the past five years they have purported to represent always claiming to act in the interest of the trade yet all they have done is protect their own interests in keeping the value of plates high, if ever questioned on some of there actions stock answers were im resigning next year ,ive had enough, dont upset the council they will de reg thankfully they have now gone, but they are now qualified assessors yet as i said at the very begining of this topic we are debating, judge not lest ye be judged !!! the speed limits are still 30 mph in york and not all hackney drivers hate the student population !! whom it has to be said are responsible for providing a good income for the trade.

I get the feeling your agreeing with JD due to your personal differences......where JD may have a valid point....yours is perhaps clouded.

I tend to try my best to disagree with JD......it tends to stimulate debate.....and I actually value his opinion.

From what I have read it seems obvious that we are all a little like King Canute...and sooner or later training etc is going to happen. This maybe through direct government intervention or by hidden means such as in order to carry out local authority work you must have a specific qualification.

We have a window of opportunity here......we can actually shape the courses to fit our trade.

I personally think yourself and JD and Sussex could contribute to this....if you choose to, it will be welcomed....if you dont....it will happen anyway.

And before you think I'm against you....I'd advise you to read through the amount of articles I've written against training.

CC

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

1. Which qualification?
2. I didn't blame the trade. I suggested that their input would improve the course.
3. It means that you start off with the basic qualification and then if you so desire you can improve by doing further qualifications. Basic quals are exactly that but not meaningless.
4. My qualifications wouldn't suit everybody so I wouldn't desire that everybody have them. I do think that taxi drivers should have a recognised qualification of some kind.



Are customers qualified when they complain to the LA about a driver. Their complaints would have a more reaching affect than an assessors, but, that is exactly what they do (albeit without thinking about it) when they get in a taxi

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

Thats cos in Modern day obese Britain 75% of the ladies would need to commision a Tent maker to have a pair made that would fit...I still have nightmare images of certain rotund ladies wearing thin black skipants expanding to the point of transparancy as they climb in and out the motor or as they bend over to pick up their LIDL shopping bags....yeeeeechhhhhhhhhhhh!!...

I don't understand this part of your message, perhaps you could explain.