Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers protest against knowledge test



Hackney cab drivers ended their protest at Arnold Civic Centre

Taxi drivers have held a protest against the introduction of a new test of their road knowledge.

A convoy of registered Hackney carriage drivers drove from Derby to Gedling Borough Council’s Arnold headquarters on Tuesday.

The stunt aimed to highlight their opposition to the council’s introduction of a knowledge test for Hackney carriage drivers registered with them.

More than 700 people currently have Hackney licences with the council, but there are less than 20 spots for them at ranks throughout the borough.


Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Taxi-driv ... z2wKFRgmrJ

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

I wonder how many of them got lost on their way there?

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Former taxi driver

Not sure that mob will get any sympathy from anyone in the national trade.

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IDFIMH

Most of them, they came from Derby. They didn't film the lads from Arnold who work the town 7 days a week.

If we'd had known about the protest in advance we could have called immigration

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

Let me get this right. As you say, most of them are from Derby, are you saying that the Gedling plate is "a plate of convenience" In the same way that a Berwick plate and a Rutland plate are? If this is the case then it is a good thing that Gedling are going to tighten things up.

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Grandad,

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

Taxi drivers angry over Gedling 'knowledge' test



Taxi drivers have held a protest over a new test in part of Nottinghamshire they will be made to sit.

Gedling Borough Council wants to introduce the equivalent of London cabbies' "the knowledge" for anyone renewing their licence or applying for the first time.

It said it hoped it would "improve our standards" and stop applications from outside the area.

Drivers say the £35 test should not apply to existing licence holders.

Taxi drivers held a protest earlier outside the borough council building against the move, which comes into force in May.

Driver Ray Varley said: "Gedling borough are now bringing in the test which we are not complaining about.

"But why should old drivers who have been working years and years have to do such a test?

"By all means let new drivers coming in do the test... but us drivers who have been doing the job long enough shouldn't have to do it."

Maths test

Taxi drivers need to apply for a licence from a council to legally trade, but they can live and work outside the area.

Gedling Borough Council claimed it had previously received 300 applications from Derbyshire, 85 from Sheffield, 70 from Birmingham and others including from Luton and Portsmouth.

Marje Paling, who chairs the environment and licensing committee at the borough council, said she thought taxi drivers from outside the area were obtaining their licence from Gedling because the authority did not currently have a knowledge test.

She said this was making it "difficult to enforce standards" and the topography test, which would cost £35, would help to improve the situation.

"A small part of the knowledge test is about Gedling and the topography of Gedling, but the majority is about licensing standards and maths, such as how much change to give.

"We need to be sure that all drivers meet these standards not just new drivers, for the safety of all passengers using taxis licensed by Gedling Borough Council," Ms Paling said.

Taxi drivers would need 75% to pass the test and qualify for a trading licence.

source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-no ... e-26630902

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

Another story confirming Nidges statement....


Taxi drivers protest against knowledge test


Taxi drivers have held a protest against the introduction of a new test of their road knowledge.

A convoy of registered Hackney carriage drivers drove from Derby to Gedling Borough Council’s Arnold headquarters on Tuesday.

The stunt aimed to highlight their opposition to the council’s introduction of a knowledge test for Hackney carriage drivers registered with them.

More than 700 people currently have Hackney licences with the council, but there are less than 20 spots for them at ranks throughout the borough.


Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Taxi-driv ... z2wONAgBTp

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

I don't know what all the fuss is about, I mean if it's where they're licensed and it's where they work it should be a doddle for existing drivers to pass

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

If their "knowledge" test is anything like the standard they have in Edinburgh , you'll end up with chimpanzees driving taxis.

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

The local lads aren't bumping their gums regarding the test.

You doubted me??