Taxi Driver Training I have many years experience in training full licence holders and professional drivers including minibus and PCV. The Taxi Test requires specialist training and taxi drivers should not be expected to drive like a good learner, but drive as an experienced professional driver. A lot of Approved Driving Instructors who regularly teach L-drivers quite often find it difficult to deal with professional drivers. Using my experiences of corporate driver training, instructor training and advanced driver training, I am in the best position to help all professional drivers develop their driving skills to a higher level thus greatly improving their ability which will help them to pass the Taxi Test with ease and confidence. To be a taxi driver or private hire driver you must fulfil the standard conditions of:
What does the taxi or private hire vehicle assessment involve? The standard of the hackney carriage (taxi) or private hire vehicle assessment is set at a level suitable for a full driving licence holder. It is therefore higher than that of the learner driver test. On the L test, a learner is allowed 15 minor driving faults whereas on the taxi driving test only 9 minor driving faults are permitted. Local authorities will not grant a new licence until the Taxi Test Assessment has been passed, therefore, it is in the interests of the Taxi drivers to take some professional training prior to taking the test. The practical assessment The practical assessment will last for about 35 to 40 minutes. You will be assessed on are your awareness, anticipation and planning skills, your ability to drive at a safe and legal speed, and passenger safety and comfort. Also you will be assessed on your ability to do manoeuvres safely such as making U turns, and an exercise that involves reversing. The examiner will also ask you a few questions on the Highway Code and ask you to identify some traffic signs and road markings. The eyesight test At the start of your practical assessment, you will be asked to read in good daylight a vehicle registration number with letters and figures 79.4 millimetres high from a distance of 20.5 metres (20 metres for a new-style number plate). You can use glasses or contact lenses if you wear them. If you fail the eyesight test, you will be unable to take the driving part of the assessment. However, you will still be able to continue with the wheelchair section if appropriate. During the practical assessment, you will be examined on:
The taxi or black cab wheelchair exercise If you are doing the enhanced assessment, your assessment will include a wheelchair exercise. This is to demonstrate that you know how to use the equipment safely. You will need to:
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