Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers fear knowledge test could drive them out of business



taxi drivers Muhammad Rahman, of Derby, protesting against knowledge test with other cabbies at Gedling's Civic Centre in Arnot Hill Park

MORE than 100 taxi drivers have protested about a new test of their local knowledge being introduced in Notts.

From July, Gedling Borough Council wants every driver in the borough to take a knowledge test, whether they’re applying for a licence or have one.

Existing drivers from as far away as Derby, Luton and Birmingham, who are registered in Gedling, demonstrated outside the Civic Centre in Arnold.

“Not all the taxi drivers will pass that test,” said Amjid Ali, 40, of Derby. “It’s like being asked to take your driving test again. It’s not fair.”

The drivers insist they are not against the knowledge test being introduced for new applicants but said people who rely on their taxi income will suffer.

If they fail the £35 test, they won’t be able to drive their cabs in Gedling or elsewhere.

“It’s not the price of the test, it’s the principle,” said Khalid Nadeem, 46, of Aspley. “We’ve already paid to meet all their other criteria – like cars less than five years old, a full service history and doing less than 12,000 miles a year.

“When the DVLA brought in the theory test they didn’t ask drivers with licences to take it as well.”

“Some drivers have £40,000 cars on finance,” added Mr Ali. “If we have to stop working for a week or a month then how do we pay the instalments for the cars, for mortgages or feed our kids?

“Other councils have brought in the test but only for new drivers. I can see 75 per cent of the drivers not passing and having to sign on the dole instead.”

Since a change in the law in 2010, taxi drivers can obtain their licences in any authority area – not necessarily the one they ply for trade in.

To combat this, most councils introduced knowledge tests.

The fact that Gedling hasn’t done this until now is believed to have been the reason for a sharp increase in applications. In 2010-11 there were a 496 licenced taxi drivers in the area – and by 2013-14 this had more than doubled to 1,139.

The council has now decided to introduce the knowledge test because of concerns that too many taxi drivers from outside the borough saw them as an easy place to get a licence.

“It’s all about standards,” said deputy council leader Michael Payne. “We are not willing to be a badge of convenience. Many drivers here are backing the knowledge test and we are proud of the drivers who work in the borough that are passionate about their community and serving the people here.

“I think it’s perfectly reasonable to expect drivers who have a badge in Gedling to know Gedling and not rely on sat navs.”

Councillor Payne, along with chairman of the environment and licensing committee, Councillor Marje Paling, took the test and passed.

“I’m not a taxi driver but I have a certificate to prove that I passed. That’s from having a local knowledge and understanding the highway code.

“Taxis are an important part of the local economy and the people of Gedling deserve drivers that know their area – not people who come here and take up officers’ time to go and work full-time in Derby.

“And the drivers should be proud to have the qualification – it shows that they are good at what they do.”


Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Taxi-driv ... z2yJYAXB6L

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

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

Nuff said!

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Grandad,

Immigration should maybe have turned up at the protest

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

Along with HMRC.

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Grandad,

Yeah, imagine a local authority having the temerity to insist taxi drivers actually know where their going - utter b*stards.

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

And the DWP.

The local lads have no problems with the test.

How sad a comment on the trade when you have drivers who don't think a knowledge is a good thing?

Do they actually realise the damage they are doing?

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IDFIMH

Do you think their bothered?

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

Can anyone spot the irony in the article that states "The drivers insist they are not against the knowledge test" - compared to the picture which says "we are against the knowledge test".

ffs

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

Did they use a satnav to find the place?

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

They did when they went there last week.

Derby cabbies row: Uniform system of testing for drivers has to come - Derby Telegraph comment


LITTLE question which has been the most provocative subject of the week in Derby if internet interest and reaction is any guide.

It is the issue of the knowledge test which taxi drivers are required to take – and the discontent which an increasing numbers of cabbies are voicing because of its alleged unfairness.

But they will be dismayed to learn of the lack of sympathy for their cause which the public of Derby seems to feel.

The matter has come into focus because taxi drivers from across the East and West Midlands have been descending on the unlikely place of Gedling in Nottinghamshire to register to be able to work.

They have been doing so because, unlike in Derby and other towns and cities, Gedling has not been requiring drivers to take a knowledge test.

So the cabbies get the approval to work from Gedling and then head back to wherever they fancy plying their trade.

And that cannot be right. Nor is it fair to the drivers who are working in Derby, having gained their qualification there.

The Derby test is recognised as being tough.

Drivers of both private hire and Hackney taxis must answer questions about knowledge of Derby, vehicle maintenance and licensing conditions and pass a medical examination.

Once they have done this, they must pass an NVQ Level 2 certificate in road passenger driving.

It is too stiff for some, who argue that cabbies will be put on the dole queue if they fail it and are not allowed to practise in Derby.

But it seems eminently reasonable to require of taxi drivers that they should be familiar with Derby's traffic systems and its main places.

Derbeians have responded to our reports by quoting instances where they have had to tell drivers the route they need to take. That is ridiculous.

That even includes trips to the Royal Derby Hospital, which, perhaps along with the railway station, one would have thought would be the most in-demand destination for passengers.

Derby has also suffered under the present practice as it does not receive the income from the roving drivers who "graduate" in Nottinghamshire and then hit our streets.

More worrying is that it also means that the general capability of the cabbies cannot be scrutinised by our city council before they start taking passengers.

Now those drivers who were planning on getting their stamp of approval in Gedling are perturbed to learn that it, too, plans a local knowledge test.

And why not? It is no good to the people of Gedling or Derby if they order a taxi and they get a driver from Wolverhampton who puts all his faith in his sat-nav and none in local knowledge.

A level playing field is needed.


Read more: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-T ... z2yZ5jYXlc

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

Revealed: Only 10% of cabbies pass Derby knowledge test

A TOUGH knowledge test which Derby cabbies have to pass to get a licence in the city has only a 10% pass rate – a figure which some drivers say back claims it’s too hard.

The exam has come under scrutiny after revelations that Derby Hackney carriage drivers were avoiding it by going to Gedling to get a licence as there has been no similar test there.

And that has infuriated drivers licensed in Derby, who point out those who go to Gedling are getting away with having less local knowledge.

And Derby City Council says there is a public safety issue as it has no powers to do safety checks on the vehicles and drivers licensed in Gedling. It also has no powers to investigate complaints and means Gedling Borough Council gets the licence fees.

Now Gedling has announced it will be introducing a knowledge test – even for those who already have a licence – which firms in Derby say will drive cabbies to try their luck with the city exam.

However, latest statistics show they could find it tough, with the council admitting the pass rate for each exam in 2013-14 was about 10%, with 200 drivers giving it a go.

The questions test knowledge of the local area, vehicle maintenance and licensing conditions.

Mark Keenan, manager of Derby-based Western Cars, says one reason for the low pass rate could be grasp of written English.

He said: “I wouldn’t have said it was too hard. It depends on how much time and effort people have put into revising.

“Also, there are about 1,000 taxi drivers that have passed the test. I’ve got 200. How did they do it?”

Muddasser Ahmed, manager of PJ Cars, in Derby, says the Gedling practice is perfectly legal and nothing to do with English.

He said: “These are people that speak and write perfectly good English and sometimes they try three or four times and fail.”

Gedling has decided that, from July, it will introduce its knowledge test for every driver with a licence in the borough, whether they are applying for a licence or already have one.

Mr Ahmed said he was calling on the city council to treat drivers caught up in the controversy as special cases – getting them to take a two-week course instead of the exam. But he said he was also encouraging drivers to swat up for the Derby exam.

He said: “All of those licensed in Gedling are completely stressed because they don’t know anything about the Nottingham area.

“These people spent £10,000 on insurance and cars only for this to happen.”

In Derby, drivers of both private hire and Hackney taxis must pass the knowledge test and pass a medical examination. Once they have done this, they must pass an NVQ Level 2 certificate in road passenger driving.

John Tomlinson, director of environmental and regulatory services at the city council, said of Mr Ahmed’s suggestion: “Anyone wanting to hold a licence in Derby will still be required to pass a knowledge test in Derby.”

Here are some examples of questions asked in the Derby knowledge test:

Q What is the road/street name where the following is located? The Council House

A Corporation Street, Derby

Q Describe the route you would take with a fare between the following locations? Derby Bus Station to Derbyshire County Cricket Ground

A Leaving bus station, turn left on to Morledge, take left hand lane on to Cockpitt and proceed on to St Alkmund’s Way taking left hand lane on to Darwin Place and into Eastgate. Take the left lane onto slip road to Pentagon Island. On roundabout, take second exit onto Nottingham Road and take first left into ground.

Q Please state what the private hire vehicle drivers’ licence condition state in relation to the following? Drivers age limit

A To hold a private hire drivers licence, the person shall have attained 21 years of age.

Q Describe how you would proceed to these locations from the city centre, stating the roads you would use? Kirk Hallam

A Leave Derby on A52 towards Nottingham. After approximately three miles, turn off the A52 at Spondon taking the slip road on to Lodge Lane. Follow the main road through Spondon village heading towards Ilkeston, passing through Sitwell Street, Moor Street and on to Dale Road. Follow Dale Road for approximately four miles, which leads directly into the centre of Kirk Hallam.


Read more: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Reveale ... z2ygWpumjG

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