Pass N Go are able to offer those in need of driver training for the taxi test a local and professional service that is tailored to the needs of the individual in order for them to meet the standards required to pass the current taxi test with ease. The course is available for drivers with no previous experience.
All of Pass N Go's trainers are very experienced in training drivers that have been driving for a many years, so don't expect it to be like your driving test. Your trainer will make an assessment of your current standard, highlighting areas in need of development and provide relevant training and advice in order to develop the areas in need of improvement to be able to pass your test first time.
A lot of local authorities will require different qualifications to achieve your goal; some for example will require you to have an NVQ as well as passing the practical driving test and others will not. Your first port of call is to visit your local authority (council) and find out what they as an individual Authority require from you to become a Taxi driver. Most of them require you to have a criminal records disclosure and possibly a medical check. So if you scroll through the following information you will find most of the information you require, with regard to, driver licensing, an overview of taxi licensing and vehicle licensing also the assessment you will be required to undertake. Our instructors at Pass N Go are extremely experienced in the field of driver training, including Taxi training, advanced driver training, trailer training etc, we have a fair minded attitude toward tuition fees as we understand you are starting off on a new career and may need all the help you can get.
Our courses normally run on a full day basis and are priced at £142.00 per day per person.
Taxi licensing outside London
Overview of taxi licensing in England and Wales outside London
Taxis - also known as a hackney carriages - are vehicles that can stand on taxi ranks or pick up fares in the street.
Before you can drive a taxi, you'll need to apply for a driver licence from your local licensing authority. This shows that you are a 'fit and proper' person to drive a taxi, and that you have a sufficient knowledge of the local area.
Anyone who owns a vehicle used as a taxi will need a vehicle licence. This demonstrates that the vehicle is roadworthy and meets the local authority's requirements for taxis, eg wheelchair accessibility. If you're renting a vehicle to use a taxi, the owner will need to hold the licence.
Driver licences can be valid for up to three years, but licensing authorities can issue licences for shorter periods if they wish. Vehicle licences usually last for either one year or six months. Different licensing authorities can have different criteria for granting driver and vehicle licences. For example, some might insist that you use a specific type of vehicle, such as a London-style cab. It's also common for licensing authorities to attach conditions to a vehicle or driver licence - for example, the need to hand in lost property.
Other requirements
There are also other legal requirements set by Parliament, which apply across all licensing authorities:
- you must have held a full UK or EC driver's licence for 12 months or longer
- vehicles to be used as taxis cannot have more than eight passenger seats
- you must accept hirings of up to a certain distance, known as a 'prescribed distance' - this is normally the
- boundary of the local authority, but some authorities have several prescribed distances (zones) within one district
The legislation also affects the licensing authority in that:
- formal tests on a vehicle must not be carried out more than three times per calendar year
- if it refuses you a licence because it wants to control the number of taxis, it must be able to show that
- there is no significant unmet demand for taxis in the district
- it can fix the level of taxi fares
Taxi licensing outside London
Driver licensing for taxi drivers in England and Wales outside London
As part of your application for a taxi driver licence, you'll need to demonstrate to the licensing authority that you are a 'fit and proper' person. This will usually involve getting a criminal records disclosure and having a medical check.
Most licensing authorities will ask you to sit a test to assess your knowledge of local routes and landmarks. Some will also ask you to take and pass a special taxi driving assessment developed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). For more information, see our guide on the DSA driving assessment for taxis and private hire vehicles. You can find out about specific requirements in your area by visiting your local authority's website, or by contacting them directly. Find local authority contact details on the Directgov website - Opens in a new window.
Conditions and byelaws
Many licensing authorities will attach conditions to your driver licence. These may include, for example, an obligation to hand in lost property and to help passengers with their luggage.
Breaking a condition can be a serious matter. It may result in the licensing authority suspending your licence, refusing to renew it, or even taking it away altogether.
You should also be aware of any byelaws made by the licensing authority that may affect your licence. Byelaws are often used to compel drivers to help passengers with their luggage, among other things. You could be fined up to £500 if you break a byelaw.
If you're successful in applying for a driver licence, it will last for up to three years. Some licensing authorities will issue licences for shorter periods, such as a year.
Licence refusals
If your application is turned down, you have the right of appeal to a magistrates' court. You can also appeal if the licensing authority decides to suspend or take away your driver licence, or refuses to renew it.
Taxi licensing outside London
Vehicle licensing for taxi owners in England and Wales outside London
Different licensing authorities have different rules on what types of vehicle can be licensed as a taxi.
Some insist that all taxis must be London-style, purpose-built cabs. Others allow a range of vehicles, such as converted people carriers, purpose-built cabs and saloon cars. In many cases, this decision will be influenced by the council's desire to make a certain number of taxis accessible to people using wheelchairs.
You must hold a licence for each vehicle you wish to use as a taxi. The vehicle must have no more than eight passenger seats.
You'll need to make sure that your vehicle is roadworthy. The licensing authority can also carry out its own mechanical and visual inspections. These tests include things such as:
- assessing the comfort and cleanliness of your vehicle
- making sure that taximeters work properly
- checking that the doors operate safely and securely.
The licensing authority is not allowed to test your vehicle more than three times in any calendar year. If the vehicle or taximeter fails a test, you will need to put it right within two months or risk having your licence withdrawn. If you plan to use an older vehicle as a taxi, the local authority may insist that it is tested every six months, instead of every year. This usually applies to vehicles that were first registered six or more years ago, but the licensing authority can set its own rules on this. The licensing authority will ask you to prove that you have the right insurance for your vehicle. You'll need to be the named driver, and your policy must cover you for hire and reward.
Licence conditions
As with driver licences, the licensing authority can attach conditions to vehicle licences. These might include the colour scheme of your vehicle - to make it easier for members of the public to identify taxis - or the use of roof signs. Some licensing authorities insist that your vehicle has a taximeter, while others do not.
Licence refusals
Your licence application can be refused if your vehicle does not meet the criteria specified by the licensing authority, or if you don't accept all or some of the conditions it imposes. A licensing authority can refuse to grant you a vehicle licence because it wants to control the number of taxis in the area. However, it must be able to show that there is no significant unmet demand for taxis in the district.
You can appeal to a crown court if:
- your application for a vehicle licence has been refused
- the licensing authority has suspended, revoked or refused to renew a vehicle licence
The DSA driving assessment for taxis and private hire vehicles
What the taxi or private hire vehicle driving assessment involves
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 the learner driver test.
The eyesight test
At the start of your practical assessment, you will be asked to read in good daylight a vehicle registration number fixed to a motor vehicle with letters and figures 79.4 millimetres high at 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.
The practical assessment
The practical assessment will last for about 35 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Some of the skills you will be assessed on are specific to taxi drivers, such as a taxi manoeuvre and not stopping anywhere that could be dangerous for a passenger getting out of your vehicle.
From 4 October 2010, your practical driving test will include approximately ten minutes of independent driving. This is designed to test your ability to drive unsupervised, and make safe decisions without guidance.
The examiner will also ask you a few questions on the Highway Code and ask you to identify some traffic signs and road markings.
- During the practical assessment, you will be examined on:
- your awareness and anticipation
- your effective planning of prevailing road and traffic conditions
- your correct use of speed
- an emergency stop (there will be one in the assessment)
- a manoeuvre involving reversing
- a taxi or private hire related exercise
- your passenger safety and comfort
- a wheelchair element (for wheelchair enhanced vehicles if you requested the enhanced assessment)
- For more information, refer to your private hire-hackney carriage assessment booklet available from your local council.
If you are taking the taxi or 'black cab' style test, you will need to answer some related 'cabology' questions. Examples of these include the dimensions of your vehicle, its correct tyre pressures and what you should do if a passenger leaves property behind. For more information, refer to your private hire hackney carriage assessment booklet available from your local council. To pass the test, you need to complete the assessment with no more than nine minor faults. You will fail if you make any serious or dangerous errors.
The wheelchair exercise
If you asked to take the enhanced assessment, your assessment will also include the wheelchair exercise. For more information, refer to your private hire/hackney carriage assessment booklet available from your local council.
The DSA driving assessment for taxis and private hire vehicles
The wheelchair exercise for taxis and private hire vehicles
If you have requested the enhanced assessment, it will include a wheelchair exercise. You will need to provide a wheelchair accessible vehicle for this element of the assessment. This is to show the examiner that you know how to operate this equipment safely. You will need to:
- show your ability to securely erect the wheelchair ramps and floor ramps
- safely put the wheelchair in your vehicle, and then - for TX-model taxis only - secure both wheelchair brakes
- fasten the seat belts or safety harness and also secure any wheel belts or clamps if they are fitted to your vehicle
- reverse the process by taking off the belts, harnesses and clamps, removing the wheelchair from your vehicle and putting the ramps away
- Obviously if your taxi is not adapted to take wheelchairs you will not have to take the enhanced test, you will just have to go through the standard assessment.
The Next Step
Your first immediate task is to research your local council and find out exactly what they require from you, click below to find your local council.
Click Here to find local authority contact details on the Directgov website.
Taxi Driver Training courses are available from 8am – 8pm 7 days a week. For further information or to book a theory course please contact us on 0844 800 7876.
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