Taxi Driver Online

A bit more nuance on the knowledge split than the recent Bury article. But, as usual, should also be split in terms of PH. What's the betting the quoted people are operators rather than drivers?


Bracknell Taxi and private hire drivers split over ‘knowledge test’

https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/23 ... edge-test/

Taxi drivers and private hire drivers in Bracknell are divided over whether the notoriously difficult geographical “knowledge test” – which cab drivers have to pass before getting their license – should be scrapped.

Members of the council’s licensing committee are set to vote on whether to get rid of the test on Thursday, October 19. Council documents suggest that the widespread use of SatNavs means the test may no longer be necessary.

A consultation of Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers run ahead of the vote revealed the two groups are divided over whether or not the council should keep it.

Some Hackney Carriage drivers said the test should stay, arguing that SatNavs can be unreliable. One person who took part said: “I feel very strongly that all licensed drivers should have knowledge of the local area as we are obliged to take the shortest route and SatNavs are not that accurate.

“Also knowledge of guest houses, care homes and doctors surgeries etc should be essential to doing an efficient job.”

But another response said SatNav technology meant the knowledge test is no longer needed – and that having to pass it can stop many aspiring drivers from getting a job.

It said: “This requirement discourages potential drivers from pursuing a livelihood in the private hire industry, limiting the opportunities for private hire operators to recruit more drivers.”

It adds: “Furthermore, advancements in technology have made access to accurate navigation tools more prevalent than ever. Many private hire drivers have GPS navigation apps and vehicle are equipped with GPS systems that provide real time directions, which can be relied upon to ensure passengers reach their destination promptly and safely.”

Other responses argued that the knowledge test should stay for Hackney Carriage drivers, who are the only ones allowed to be hailed down on the street, but shouldn’t be compulsory for private hire drivers.

One person said: “I would agree that Hackney Carriage drivers should have a good level of knowledge of the local area as they hail customers.

“I don't think that private hire drivers would need to necessarily retain this element for the nature of the business, being on advance booking only there is an element of preparation of route for the driver before he/she is dispatched.”

Council documents say some 39 responses to the consultation were received, and that 65 per cent agreed the test should be kept, while 28 per cent disagreed.

It added that there seemed to be a “clear divide” between Hackney Carriage drivers who wanted to keep the test and private hire drivers who thought it should go.

Councillors were set to make their decision at the meeting on Thursday, October 19.

Oh, I see


What's the betting this is also a private hire operator? Keep HCD numbers down, and keep PHD numbers up - guess who doubly benefits from that?

Admittedly the technology is much better these days than 10 or 15 years ago BUT technology can fail . One "Carrington event " solar flare and bye bye gps satellites there is no substitute for real knowledge

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Anyone who thinks PH don't need knowledge is a knob in my view.

Knowing where you are going is a significant part of the job, taxi or PH.

Customers often don't know where they are going, they often change their minds, or they get it completely wrong in the first place.

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IDFIMH

Bracknell taxi driver knowledge tests to stay, says council

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-b ... e-67148294

Taxi drivers will still have to pass knowledge tests before getting their licenses, a council has decided.

Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers in Bracknell must sit geographical exams before they are allowed to get behind the wheel.

But some drivers had argued that sat-nav technology meant in-depth knowledge of the area was no longer needed.

Bracknell Forest Council voted to keep the tests, but asked for a format review of the exam.

The vote followed a consultation of both Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers, who expressed divided opinions, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Some Hackney Carriage drivers thought the test should stay, arguing that sat-navs can be unreliable.

One person who took part thought it was important that drivers had a decent knowledge of guest houses, care homes and doctors' surgeries.

They added: "I feel very strongly that all licensed drivers should have knowledge of the local area as we are obliged to take the shortest route and sat-navs are not that accurate."

But another response said sat-nav technology meant the knowledge test was no longer needed - and that having to pass it can stop many aspiring drivers from getting a job.

It said: "This requirement discourages potential drivers from pursuing a livelihood in the private hire industry, limiting the opportunities for private hire operators to recruit more drivers."

Other responses argued that the knowledge test should stay for Hackney Carriage drivers, who are the only ones allowed to be hailed down on the street, but should not be compulsory for private hire drivers.

One person said: "I would agree that Hackney Carriage drivers should have a good level of knowledge of the local area as they hail customers.

"I don't think that private hire drivers would need to necessarily retain this element for the nature of the business, being on advance booking only there is an element of preparation of route for the driver before [they are] dispatched."

The test will remain in place for both Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers, but officers were asked to review the format.

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IDFIMH

Be amazed if any real drivers said that.

Maybe an operator or taxi baron, but driver not on your nelly.

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IDFIMH