Halifax Drivers Test Routes
Taxi Driver Licence Information for people wishing to aquire a taxi drivers licence. Help with basic taxi testing and links to councils specific examinations Most taxi drivers are self-employed and own their own vehicle. This means that they are in charge of its maintenance, fuel, insurance, and accountancy. The job involves customer interaction as the driver picks up a diverse range of passengers and determines where they wish to go. Drivers must know the shortest and cheapest route, and be capable of handling money for the fare. It may also be necessary to help with luggage and assist passengers with mobility difficulties. There are two kinds of taxi vehicle in operation: Licensed hackney carriages - These meet the truest definition of taxi in that these can be hailed off the street or at a taxi rank.
They can be hailed in random locations where people frequent, picking up their fares as and when they are gestured to. The fares and the geographical boundaries for hackney carriages are set by the local authority. In London, hackney carriages are easily identified as the famous black cabs. Licensed Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) - Also known as minicabs, these cars are not allowed to pick up passengers from the street and cannot display a 'taxi' light on the roof. Instead, they can be pre-booked by phoning or calling in at the minicab office which receives commission on their fares.
They are often booked to pick up fares after nights out, from the airport or train, and even on school runs. Legal Obligations The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) first introduced a non-statutory practical driving test for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire in 1999 and now DSA conduct tests on behalf of many Licensing Authorities on a national basis. Some Licensing Authorities insist that before you are issued with a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire drivers licence you must pass a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire assessment.
If your Licensing Authority requires you to take the test, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the content of the test and that you take professional instruction prior to taking the test. The standard of the taxi assessment test is set at a level suitable for the full driving licence holder, which is therefore higher than the learner driver test.
To become a taxi driver you will need to get a licence from the Council. The licence is issued under an Act of Parliament called the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and is referred to as a Driver's License. The minimum age for applying for a drivers license is 21 years with one years driving experience (three years in London). To get a driver's licence the Council have to determine whether or not you are a 'fit and proper person' under the terms of the Act. This involves a series of tests and checks being carried out with various organisations so that the Council can determine your application fairly and consistently. Each licensing authority has its own conditions about issuing licences for taxi drivers, so you will have to check with your local authority as to the requirements expected of you. It is obligatory that you: Are able to work legally in the UK Hold a full UK driver's licence issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency or a full European Union driving licence together with a UK paper counterpart Most authorities also require: DVLA Check This check is designed to give the Council an idea of your individual driving history.
This allows them to determine whether or not you are a safe driver and capable of driving a vehicle in the manner expected of a taxi driver. It is also used to confirm that an applicant has held a full driving licence for a period of at least twelve months. Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check This involves a search of your individual criminal record to establish whether or not you are a safe person to drive members of the public, some of which may be vulnerable, elderly, or infirm. The CRB is a central organisation that deals with all checks of criminal records for the Council. Medical Examination To drive a taxi you must be able to physically carry out the work required of a licensed driver.
This may involve lifting heavy objects such as luggage or wheelchairs. Certain medical conditions may mean that you are not capable of driving professionally. The test is carried out by the Health at Work organisation. All drivers licensed by the council will be required to undergo a medical examination at ages 45, 50, 55 and 60 and then annually after reaching 60 years of age, in line with DVLA requirements. Knowledge and Driving Test In order to become a licensed taxi driver it is important that you have a good knowledge of the area in which you are going to work. The knowledge test is set in four parts each designed to test your knowledge of the area, the Highway Code, taxi licence conditions and the ability to use an A to Z effectively.
Huddersfield and West Yorkshire news, business, Huddersfield Town news, Huddersfield Giants news, What's On and more from the Huddersfield Examiner.
The driving test is designed to find out whether you are capable of driving in a safe manner to a number of locations and is carried out in your own vehicle in the presence of a Licensing Officer. All licensed London taxi drivers need to pass a special test before they can drive one of the Capital's famous black cabs. This test is called The Knowledge. It takes between two and four years to pass the All-London Knowledge. Once you are licensed you can work anywhere in the Greater London area. All-London drivers - also known as Green Badge drivers - need a detailed knowledge of London within a six mile radius of Charing Cross.
They have to learn 320 routes. The 320 main (standard) routes, or 'runs', through central London of the Knowledge are contained within the 'Blue Book' (officially known as the 'Guide to Learning the Knowledge of London'), produced by the Public Carriage Office which regulates licensed taxis in London.
In all some 25,000 streets within a six mile radius of Charing Cross are covered along with the major arterial routes through the rest of London. A taxicab-driver must learn these routes, as well as the 'points of interest' along those routes including streets, squares, clubs, hospitals, hotels, theatres, embassies, government and public buildings, railway stations, police stations, courts, diplomatic buildings, important places of worship, cemeteries, crematoria, parks and open spaces, sports and leisure centres, places of learning, restaurants and historic buildings. The Knowledge includes such details as the order of theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue, or the names and order of the side streets and traffic signals passed on a route. Suburban drivers (also known as Yellow Badge drivers) can choose from London's nine suburban sectors. They must know between 30 and 51 runs in detail.
Sister Act 2 Ost Rar Extractor more. Chiang Elements Of Dynamic Optimization Pdf Download. They also need to know all landmarks and places of interest on the runs. It takes around two years to become a licensed Suburban taxi driver. Once qualified, you can only work in the sector you are licensed for.
Taxis and PHVs outside London Outside London, local authorities (district/borough councils or unitary authorities) are responsible for licensing taxis and PHVs. Licensing authorities have some say in terms of setting local licensing rules and standards. The licensing authority also carries out checks as part of the licensing process.
To pass you are permitted to accumulate up to 9 driving faults. If you accumulate 10 or more driving faults you will fail. Any serious or dangerous fault will be immediately recorded as a failure but the assessment will still continue, finally returning to the driving test centre. The taxi assessment is reflective of modern driving practices and the standard is set at a level suitable for full driving licence holders. It is important that you do not adjust your driving to what you may feel the examiner would expect to see, do not drive in an unnatural manner. You may be asked to complete an emergency stop, i.e demonstrate that you can stop the vehicle as in an emergency, promptly and under control (avoid skidding). You will be asked to carry out two manoeuvres one of which will be your own choice, e.g reverse around a corner.
In both cases you will be expected to demonstrate your ability to manoeuvre your vehicle under control and with good all-round effective observations, giving consideration to other road users and pedestrians. You will be asked on a number of occasions to pull up on the left at a safe and convenient place, as if a fare is either going to get in or out of your vehicle. Avoid parking next to lampposts and trees - this could be potentially hazardous for your passenger. Whenever you have been stationary at the side of the road, remember your important safety check - check your blind spot (look over your right shoulder) before pulling away.
You need to use all your mirrors effectively (interior and exterior) and at the appropriate times. You should demonstrate that you are aware of what is happening around your vehicle at all times. You need to signal correctly and in good time to let other road users know your intention - other road users need to see and understand what you plan to do.
You will be expected to understand and comply with traffic signs and road markings, as they are there to help you anticipate and plan your journey. You will also need to see and react to signals given by the police, traffic wardens etc. And signals given by other road users. You must be able to demonstrate your ability to make progress when the speed signs and the road and traffic conditions dictate it is safe to do so. Equally it is important to demonstrate that you recognise and comply when in lower speed limit areas.
You need to watch your separation distance from the vehicle in front and also your separation distance from parked cars. You need to use sound judgement and planning when overtaking, meeting oncoming vehicles and when turning right in front of oncoming traffic. At no time be in a situation where you cause another vehicle to brake or swerve to avoid you You should demonstrate that you are aware of other road users at all times; plan ahead, predict how the actions of others will affect your driving and react in good time. Be aware of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists etc. And act in good time, rather than at the last moment You will be asked a few questions on the Highway Code, some general cabology questions and asked to identify a few traffic signs. This may include such questions as the length, width or height, tyre pressures, what to do if you found an item of lost property in your cab.
It is important that you read The Highway Code and be familiar with your vehicle. It is strongly advisable to consider taking professional instruction prior to taking the assessment. Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles Test. You should demonstrate your ability to securely erect the wheelchair ramps (whatever style of ramp is fitted to your vehicle) Safely install the wheelchair in your vehicle, backing the chair to the fold down seats, then securing both wheelchair brakes Secure seat belts/safety harness and also secure wheel belts/clamps if fitted to your vehicle Satisfy yourself that the wheelchair is secure, as if to start a journey. Then reverse the entire procedure. It is important that you can demonstrate all the principles of safety and security - if seat belts, wheel belts or wheel clamps etc. Are fitted then they should be in good working order and applied, whatever style of wheelchair accessible vehicle you bring on assessment.
Driving Test Centres Driving Test Centres listed below in bold are able to do the Wheelchair Assessment.