According to the Institute of Licensing, an estimated 600 million journeys are made by taxi or private hire car (minicab) in Great Britain each year.
Department of Transport figures show that an estimated 69,000 taxis were licensed in England in 2007. The consultation aims to find out how existing taxi laws, which date back as far as 1847, could be improved. It is hoped that taxi reform will increase public awareness of licensed vehicles and rogue operators, and improve both passenger and driver safety.
Drive a taxi or private-hire vehicle
1. What you need to apply for your taxi or private hire vehicle licence
Hackney carriage (taxi) and private hire vehicle licences are issued by individual local authorities.
To apply, you will need to check the specific requirements of the licensing department at the local authority for the area you intend to operate in. You can find your local authority on the Directgov website- Opens in a new window.
You must fulfill the standard conditions of:
- being able to work legally in the UK
- holding a full UK driver's licence issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency or a full European Union driving licence together with a UK paper counterpart
For more information, refer to your private hire hackney carriage assessment booklet available from your local council.
Other requirements for getting your licence may include paying a fee and passing:
- a criminal record check
- a medical
- a 'knowledge' test - to prove you have reasonable geographical knowledge of the area in which you intend to drive
Some councils also require you to take the Driving Standards Agency's practical assessment for taxi and private hire drivers.
2. How to book your taxi or private hire vehicle assessment
Before booking a hackney carriage (taxi) or private hire vehicle practical driver's test, you should find out what you will be assessed on. For more information, refer to your private hire/hackney carriage assessment booklet available from your local council.
Before the assessment, you are strongly advised to:
- take lessons with a professional driving instructor
- read the Highway Code
- familiarise yourself with the content of the assessment and your vehicle
Booking your test
Driver assessments can be taken at your local Driving Standards Agency (DSA) test centre. You can find your nearest test centre on the DSA website.- Opens in a new window
You can book your practical assessment:
- online
- by phone
- by post
You will need one of the following:
- a full UK or Northern Ireland licence, both photocard and paper counterpart
- a full British old style paper licence and current passport
- a recognisable full European Union (EU) licence and UK paper counterpart with a current passport if your EU licence does not have a photograph
3. What the taxi or private hire vehicle assessment involves
The standard of the hackney carriage (taxi) or private hire vehicle assessment is set at a level suitable for a full driving licence holder. It is therefore higher than the learner driver test.
The eyesight test
At the start of your practical assessment, you will be asked to read in good daylight a vehicle registration number fixed to a motor vehicle with letters and figures 79.4 millimetres high at a distance of 20.5 metres (20 metres for a new-style number plate). You can use glasses or contact lenses if you wear them.
If you fail the eyesight test, you will be unable to take the driving part of the assessment. However, you will still be able to continue with the wheelchair section if appropriate.
The practical assessment
The practical assessment will last for about 35 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Some of the skills you will be assessed on are specific to taxi drivers, such as making U-turns and not stopping anywhere that could be dangerous for a passenger getting out of your vehicle. The examiner will also ask you a few questions on the Highway Code and ask you to identify some traffic signs and road markings.
During the practical assessment, you will be examined on:
- your awareness and anticipation
- your effective planning of prevailing road and traffic conditions
- your correct use of speed
- an emergency stop (there will be one in the assessment)
- a manoeuvre involving reversing
- a taxi or private hire related exercise
- your passenger safety and comfort
- a wheelchair element (for wheelchair enhanced vehicles if you requested the enhanced assessment)
For more information, refer to your private hire-hackney carriage assessment booklet available from your local council. www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Business/Licences/Taxi/
If you are taking the taxi or 'black cab' style test, you will need to answer some related 'cabology' questions. Examples of these include the dimensions of your vehicle, its correct tyre pressures and what you should do if a passenger leaves property behind.
For more information, refer to your private hire hackney carriage assessment booklet available from your local council.
You need to complete the assessment with no more than nine minor faults to pass. You will be failed if you make any serious or dangerous errors.
The wheelchair exercise
If you asked to take the enhanced assessment, your assessment will also include the wheelchair exercise. For more information, refer to your private hire/hackney carriage assessment booklet available from your local council.
4. The taxi or black cab wheelchair exercise
If you have requested the enhanced assessment, your assessment will include a wheelchair exercise. This is to show the examiner that you know how to operate this equipment safely. You will need to:
- show your ability to securely erect the wheelchair ramps and floor ramps
- safely put the wheelchair in your vehicle, backing the chair to the fold-down seats, then securing both wheelchair brakes
- fasten the seat belts or safety harness and also secure any wheel belts or clamps if they are fitted to your vehicle
- reverse the process by taking off the belts, harnesses and clamps, removing the wheelchair from your vehicle and putting the ramps away
5. What happens at the end of the taxi or private hire vehicle assessment
When you pass your practical assessment, you will receive:
- a pass certificate (form TPH10)
- the offer of a debrief
- a copy of your assessment
When you pass your wheelchair assessment, you will receive:
- a pass certificate (form WTPH10)
- the offer of a debrief
- a copy of your assessment
If you fail one or both parts, you will receive:
- the offer of a debrief
- a copy of your assessment
- training advice
If you fail the practical assessment, you might want to retake it at a later date. You must, however, wait a minimum period of three clear working days before you retake it. We now count Saturday as a working day. There is no limit to the number of times you can attempt either assessment.
WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU:
- We can carry out MIDAS training to assist with wheelchair enhanced vehicles
- Assist with booking practical test and setting up course
- Happy Hour will book all tests online – with no booking fee charged for any test
HAPPY HOUR TRAINING COURSES:
Happy Hour Instructor Trainers are all fully qualified Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and are Fleet Registered through the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). The training courses can be delivered over 2 days, 3 days, 4 days or 5 days with a practical test at the end. The training programme will be structured to suit your individual needs and also structured to fit into your busy everyday life. The training can be carried out on a one:one ratio or two:one ratio. This will be down to the trainee’s discretion.
