Why a Taxi Driver Test?
The DSA Taxi Test was introduced in 1999 and has since become an increasingly common requirement of local Councils for new taxi drivers. Taxi companies and licensing authorities have a duty of care of the passengers they entrust to drivers. Out of approximately 400 licensing authorities, more than 100 have decided to use Taxi Testing as part of their requirements. It's only a matter of time before the remaining authorities sign up too. The Councils want the fare paying passengers can get from A to B both in comfort and in safety.
There are two taxi types of taxi test, hackney carriage and private hire. The private hire test can be taken in any Category B vehicle (car). The hackney carriage test includes a wheel chair handling assessment.
Taxi test candidates probably won't experience the same nerves that they felt when they took their original driving test, because these are experienced drivers and usually they've got a reasonable amount of confidence.
What does the taxi test involve?
The test begins with the same eyesight check used on the L-Test. A licensed taxi must be provided for this test.
The syllabus content is the same as for a learner test, however, the driving standard expected is higher than that of the learner drivers test and the test is longer, about one hour. As well as a general overall level of competency the examiner will be looking for evidence that you can drive safely in all types of traffic including congested areas.
There are two manoeuvres, one of which is the taxi manoeuvre exercise. This is a manoeuvre where the candidate chooses which way they want to turn the vehicle round and from that, the examiner chooses a second manoeuvre accordingly. 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, including pedestrians.
Candidates can be asked to perform an emergency stop, promptly and under control (avoid skidding). There will be several times during that drive where the examiner pulls them up at the side of the road either to see them move off from behind a parked car or move off on a hill or just normal stop as if they were picking up or dropping off a fare paying passenger. You should avoid parking next to lamp posts and trees as this could be potentially hazardous for your passengers. Whenever you have been stationary at the side of the road, remember your important safety check – do 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, in effect 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 any signals given by other road users.
You also need to 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 a lower speed limit areas
Do watch your separation distance from the vehicle in front and also your separation distance from parked cars, use sound judgement 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 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. act in good time, rather than at the last moment.
As part of the test, you will also need to know how to use the vehicle facilities such as the swivel seat and the wheelchair ramp to assist those with a disability. During this exercise the candidate would have to demonstrate how they would load an empty wheelchair in and out of the vehicle using the ramps, using the harnesses and the seatbelts that are supplied.
Just before the end of the test there are some questions both on the Highway Code and matters relating to the safety of the vehicle. These can be general cabology questions such questions as the length, width or height of the taxi, its tyre pressures, or what to do if you found an item of lost property in your cab. Finally, candidates are finally asked to identify some traffic signs and then they are given the test result.
To pass you are permitted to accumulate up to nine driving faults, if you accumulate 10 or more driving faults you will fail. Any serious or dangerous faults will be immediately recorded as a failure; the test will still continue finally returning to the driving test centre.
The test pass rate is currently 33% which suggests that more candidates need to prepare themselves better. There are specialist driving schools who are able to provide an expert professional service that will help you to pass first time. Only Approved Driving Instructors can legally provide paid driver training.
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