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New assessments for new Taxi drivers
New local knowledge and driving assessment tests have been
introduced for all new applicants for licences to drive hackney
carriage and private hire vehicles in the borough.
Customers expect a good level of service when taking a taxi and
with two new measures in place, Havant Borough Council aims to
maintain and improve both the level of service and passenger
safety.
As the Licensing Authority, before the council can grant a
hackney carriage or private hire driver’s licence, it has to be
satisfied that the applicant is a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold a
licence. The new knowledge and driving assessments will give the
Licensing Team valuable additional assurances about applicants when
considered with the existing medical and Criminal Record Bureau
checks.
The knowledge tests are conducted every two weeks by officers
from the Licensing Team. The written test covers subjects such as
basic map reading, the quickest route to a destination and the road
names of well known locations such as libraries, shopping centres
and railway stations. Also included are questions on the
legislation and regulations that apply to the hackney carriage and
private hire trades.
As professional drivers, applicants have a responsibility to
ensure that passengers always enjoy a safe and comfortable journey.
To make certain this happens, all applicants must undergo a driving
skills assessment by the Driving Standards Agency. Test centres are
available across the country including Portsmouth and Fareham.
Further information is available on the
DSA website>>
An information pack is available from Havant Borough Council on
how to become a taxi driver, which includes all the forms and
guidance required, including information on the new local knowledge
test run by the council and the driving skills assessment provided
by the Driving Standards Agency.
For a copy of this pack and general enquiries on hackney
carriage and private hire licences, please contact Steve Abolins,
Licensing Officer on 023 9244 6657 or visit the licensing
pages>>