New test for taxi drivers

MOUNTING complaints about Oldham’s taxi drivers have led to the introduction of a compulsory test for new drivers.

The Driving Standards Agency’s £78 test would see all new private hire and hackney carriage drivers performing a series of special manoeuvres before answering a series of questions related to the Highway Code and “cabology”.

The new test comes in next month and will be conducted by DSA officials, replacing the existing exam carried out by council licensing officers.

Oldham Council’s Licensing Committee agreed that the scheme should be implemented but recommended that other local councils make the test compulsory as soon as possible.

They also intend to use the test as a potential course of action against existing licensed drivers who go before the Licensing Drivers’ Panel.

Principal licensing officer John Garforth said: “We’ve had a few complaints in the last few months — speeding is a major one, one person was driving down the middle of two lanes, one turned down a one-way street and some fell asleep at the wheel.

“The cost is a small price to pay to give residents in Oldham full confidence in our fleet.”

Fazal Rahim, secretary of Oldham Borough Taxi Owners Association said he agreed with the idea in principle, but was unhappy about the costs.

He said: “We support the new testing because this improves the standards of people driving which in turn makes it safe for the public — however we do have issues with the costs and worry they might deter new people from coming into the trade.”

Mohammed Walayet, manager at Lime Line taxis said he thought the new test was too much hassle and the current climate was hard enough as it is, without extra costs.

He added: “The drivers will also have to pay for their badge — that’s another £75.”

On completion of the test, drivers will be awarded certificates with heat sensitive patches, holograms and a unique reference number on them to prevent fraudulent copies being made.

Phil Hawyes, from the DSA, said 160 local authorities across Great Britain are now operating the scheme.