Taxi drivers in Wolverhampton are set to undergo rigorous new testing following complaints about bad driving, poor language skills and a lack of knowledge of the local area.
It comes amid claims the current exam can be rehearsed and passed without cabbies fully understanding crucial elements of the job. Testing was stepped up in 2004 when it was found some taxi drivers and private hire operators in the city did not know the way to Asda at Molineux. Now it is to be beefed up even further amid concerns about the impression given to visitors.
A report going before the licensing committee on Wednesday for approval includes doubling the length of the current driving test.
It describes taxi drivers as “ambassadors for the city” and says it had “become clear” the existing test could be “rehearsed and passed” without the applicant fully understanding essential elements of the licensing process.
“A number of concerns have been raised by staff and members of the trade in relation to the integrity of the current testing process,” it reveals.
The existing test is a box-ticking exercise with multiple choice questions about using the A-Z, the conditions of the licence and local knowledge.
Now drivers are set to undergo a written test at the end of a compulsory one-day training session on theory. They will also face a practical assessment of their ability to drive safely as well as deal with customers politely.
The revised test will be extended from 40 minutes to 90 minutes, with costs rising from £25 to £60. Drivers will also have to pay £65 to take part in the training day.
If given the go-ahead, the new tests will start on January 3 for a trial period of 12 months and will affect anyone applying after December 15.
9 Comments
If these drivers are attending for tests and obviously have language problems why have the examiners been passing them?
Surely they should be declined.If they cant read it or speak our language they will have trouble reading traffic signs,diversions etc or even understanding a police officer who verbally directs them.
Danger on the road placed there by examiners who should know better!
As a private hire driver for many years i would agree with tougher testing.The council has issued too many licences and flooded the town with taxis and now are setting traps by flagging you down and prosecuting you for stopping to pick them up.
i always thought that to be a cab driver in wolverhampton you just needed to be able to drive really slowly and go the longest route possible. as for speaking the language, on the few occasions i take a cab most of them rarely say a word, is that down to not knowing the language or just plain ignorance?
TO LITTLE TO LATE this is only for new applications, what about the drivers who already have a licence and just renew every year.? they all should be made to take the test again. or is that to simple for wolverhampton council.
I agree with Derek - it should be a test they have to re-take every year. With the amount of new build estates popping up and new shopping outlets they need to know the way there, rather than relying on the old sat nav or the paying customer.
And if they cannot understand you - how did they pass in the first place???? Makes you wonder how many licence holders are who they say they are on the licence or whether its a communal one which get’s passed around?
As private hire driver i agree with derek what does it say about our council who passes these drivers shame on the licencing body for not getting a grip on this sooner ,there are good drivers about out there too who know the rules but bad drivers make us look bad and stupid . i say test everyone on renewals aswell so people like me don’t have to read headlines like this and i want more drivers to respect disabled passengers too and get out of cars and help them .i also think more trading standard officers should be out stopping this illegal plying for hire , and ban drivers who fail to comply .finally why cannot these drivers licences be revoked ,putting members of the public in danger don’t make sense .
‘poor language skills’..you mean, immigrants? Why not just say so. I don’t want dangerous drivers ferrying my loved one’s round..and a lot of these drivers are never caught until they kill. No time for PC stupidity.
its about time! every time i get into any taxi i have to direct the driver, if, like a couple of weeks ago i didnt know the way i got a dirty look and many tuts. then the driver is playing with his sat nav for the whole journey cuz he dont know how to use it! they speed, they are bad drivers and sometimes just not very nice. and the cabs smell!
John you always have the choice of whether or not you want to get in to a cab with an immigrant taxi driver. When you say a lot of these drivers never get caught until they kill has there been any immigrant licensed taxi driver deaths recently??. No time for bigoted stupidity!!!