Taxi drivers will take Hull knowledge test from April
PEOPLE applying to be taxi drivers in Hull will have to sit a knowledge test from April.
The move comes after concerns were raised over the number of current drivers who are unfamiliar with the city's road network.
Many also do not speak English as a first language after an influx of European Union migrants in recent years.
When the idea of re-introducing the knowledge test was first put forward last year, the Mail revealed how one clueless cabbie who took a fare in Ferensway did not know where Beverley Road was.
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Now, licensing councillors have given the go-ahead for the test to be included in a new BTEC qualification for all new applicants for drivers' licences.
The test is expected to quiz drivers on their familiarity with the city's roads and neighbourhoods as well as Hull's City Council's regulations covering the private hire and hackney carriage vehicles.
Councillor John Shipley said: "I'm in favour of the knowledge test.
"Since it was scrapped by the previous Liberal Democrat administration, we have seen so many complaints about this."
Councillor Sean Chaytor said it was one thing for satellite navigation equipment to send drivers up the wrong road, but a different matter entirely if passengers were taken on longer journeys than necessary because a driver did not know the best route.
Councillor John Abbott said ensuring new drivers had a firm grasp of English was also essential.
"We should set the bar reasonably high on this issue," he said.
The traditional knowledge test in Hull was scrapped in 2007 after a new basic test covering numeracy and literacy skills was introduced.
That will now be incorporated into the new nationally recognised BTEC qualification which will also include customer care, equality and diversity issues and basic route-planning skills.
From April, new drivers will be required to complete the six-week course before their licence application is considered.
Keith Fenner, the city council's licensing manager, said consultation with the taxi trade over the introduction of the knowledge test with the BTEC qualification would continue over the next few weeks.
He said: "We are in the middle of consultations with the trade but would expect to be in a position to go ahead with it when we have our annual review of licensing policies and conditions in April."
Initially, new drivers are not expected to have to pay the full cost of completing the course because funding has been secured for the next 12 months.
Normally, the cost would be £176.
However, Mr Fenner said it was not yet clear whether funding support would continue in 2014.
Drivers who already hold a licence in Hull will not be required to sit the test.
East Riding Council does not operate a knowledge test based on local geography.
Comments
by Redjin
Thursday, January 17 2013, 10:31PM
“Great news. I use taxi's a lot if not with my Boyfriend as a safe means to get home when out with friends. It is really daunting when the driver ask's you directions then turns down a dead end, darkened road, especially if I've had a drink and feeling a little vulnerable. I live on a street off Princes Ave so don't think it is too hard to find.
As for bus drivers not running people over a la "bohage, ask them to please stop crashing into people in town please?"
Ask the pedestrians to stop being retards and running out in mid traffic! Seriously, have you stood on Ferensway and watched them? they are like lemmings! It's a very busy road but they seem to think that if they step out, traffic will automatically stop. Every time I use a pedestrian crossing near St Stephens I wince watching some idiot chances their luck for the sake of saving 2 whole minutes. I believe in natural selection, if you are stupid enough to play with traffic and get killed then you have done the human race a favour by being removed from the gene pool, hopefully before they have bred.”
by bohage
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 12:37PM
“Can the council force the bus drivers to go on a course to improve their driving and manners too please and also ask them to please stop crashing into people in town please?”
by PurpleParrot
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 7:38PM
“Excellent idea. I've lived in Hull the bigger part of my life but with all the new estates and areas, there are loads of places that I don't have a clue where they are. If I don't know how can newcomers have any sort of idea withut a stringent test.”
by Strangley
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 10:09AM
“Q: What is the quickest route to the Hull Royal Infirmary?
A: Take a fare to North Bransholme”
by dascodave
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 9:36AM
“How long before the liberal tree hugger/politically correct brigade jump on this and start saying its racist and all the foreigners who cannot speak our lingo are been victimised?....”
by Mally_Hull
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 9:18AM
“Why not test current ones as well. Most of the locals would pass easily. Sort out the wheat for the chaff. Seems like closing the door after the horse has bolted to me.”
by scarter65
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 9:12AM
“*T u r d s* but could be swapped with any number of profane words.”
by scarter65
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 9:11AM
“Get the ****s to do driving tests whilst they're there. Hell knows they need them.”
by AishaDelaney
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 7:49AM
“Printed in 48 languages.”
by acedriver
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 7:47AM
“the local council shouldnt be bothering with a knowledge test they shouldnt be giving any new licences out there are too many taxi drivers in hull,the job pays minimum wage nowadays not worth a toss.”