Uk Taxi cab sign

Taxi driver training

In 1999, the Driving Vehicle Standards Agency (DSVA) first introduced a Non-statutory practical driving test for prospective hackney carriage and private hire badge holders.  The test is conducted by the DVSA on behalf of many licensing authorities on a national basis.  The DVSA have adopted the view that professional hackney and private hire drivers have a responsibility for the safe transportation of fare paying passengers, the responsibility solely depends upon the skill of the driver.

An ever increasing number of authorities insist that a potential hackney carriage/private hire driver undergoes a DVSA assessment.  The level of assessment is set at a suitable level for the full driving licence holder, this is therefore higher than that of a learner driver test.

The practical test will last for approximately 40 minutes, depending on traffic, during the practical test the examiner will give you clear instructions which you should follow throughout the test.  The examiner requires you to drive in a natural way and not to adjust your driving to what you may think the examiner would want to see or expect.

Taxi test requirements

 DURING THE PRACTICAL TEST, YOU WILL BE EXAMINED ON THE FOLLOWING:

* awareness and anticipation

* effective planning of prevailing road and traffic conditions

* correct use of speed

* observation and mirror use

* control of the vehicle

* passenger safety and comfort

DURING THE PRACTICAL TEST, YOUR ASSESSMENT WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

* read a registration plate in good daylight from a distance of 20.5 meters (20 meters for new style registration plates)

* you will be required to answer related ‘cabology’ questions, examples may include the dimensions of your vehicle including tyre pressures

*you will be required to answer questions from the highway code and identify a number of traffic signs and or road markings

* A taxi or private hire manoeuvre where you will be asked to turn your vehicle to face the opposite direction.

* Approximately ten minutes of independent driving

* Stops at the side of the road if a passenger is getting in or out of the vehicle

* an emergency stop (1 in 3 candidates)

* a wheelchair exercise (if you requested the enhanced assessment)

NOTE.  In order to pass the assessment, no more than nine minor driving errors are permitted. Serious or dangerous errors will result in failure of the assessment.

THE WHEELCHAIR EXERCISE FOR TAXIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

* NOTE, If you have requested the enhanced assessment, it will include a wheelchair exercise for which you need to provide a wheelchair accessible vehicle

* the ability to safely load and unload the wheelchair in your vehicle

* that you can secure and un secure the wheelchair using the brakes

* fasten the seat belts or safety harness

* secure any wheel belts or clamps fitted to your vehicle

Cabology questions

Only the questions in bold print must be used on Black Cab style taxi tests.

Q.What is the length, width and/or height of the cab you are now with?

A.See below

Q. What are the correct tyre pressures for the cab you are now with?

A. See below

Q. Whilst driving a taxicab, how would you know if the rear automatic door locking system became inoperative?

A. The warning light on the dashboard will illuminate (green with black key icon)

Q If the tyre pressures of the vehicle you are driving are 35psi at the front and 40psi at the rear, what would you consider the correct pressure for the spare to be?

A. 40psi, because it would be easier to deflate than inflate a tyre at the roadside

Q. As a Hackney Carriage driver, what is your main responsibility?

A.The safety and comfort of your passengers.

Q.How would you show consideration for passengers alighting from your vehicle?

A. Stop close to the kerb and avoid proximity to Obstructions (street furniture, trees etc.)

Q. As a licensed taxi driver, what must you carry with you at all times?

A. Cab drivers licence and badge (displayed in a conspicuous place)

Q. If you found an item of property left in your taxicab, what would you do with it?

A. Hand it into a Police Station within 24 hours.

Q. What is the minimum legal requirement of a tyre tread depth?

A. 1.6mm.

Q As a Private Hire taxi driver, what is your main responsibility?

A. The safety and comfort of your passengers.

TAXI SPECIFICATIONS

TX1:

Length  4580mm  / 180.45in

Width (mirrors out)  2036mm / 80.22in

Height  1834mm / 72.26in

Tyre pressures: front 35psi  rear 40psi

TX11:

As for TX1 except for length, which is: 4575mm / 180.00in

LT1. FX4 Fairway:

Length  4580mm / 180.45in

Width 1750mm / 69.00in

Height  1755mm / 69.50in

Tyre pressures: front 35psi  rear 36psi

Metrocab series 3 & TTT:

Length  4505mm / 177.38in

Width 1770mm / 69.69in

Height  1755mm / 69.50in

Tyre pressures: front 38psi  rear 38psi.