Minibus knowledge tests on the way?

 

The minibus blog understands that private hire car, minibus, mpv  and hackney carriage drivers in various areas of the UK  may soon have to do a knowledge test to show they know where they are going when driving customers around. Councillors are thought to be considering introducing a desk-based exam to test drivers’ know-how on local streets and routes.

Response to the proposal has been positive with local private hire operators believing it would help to limit the number of private hire minibus, minicabs and taxi, or hackney carriage, plates within each area.

Many areas are beyond saturation point, some with as few as 30 taxi rank spaces for over 300 taxis.

The Minibus Blog spoke to PSV Insurance Brokers about the proposals and they agreed that the move would be positive and could only help the reputable drivers, unfortunatley it will be yet another test which is unlikely to be free to sit. 

The London black cab drivers’ famed test – known as ‘the knowledge’ – involves remembering every street within six miles of Charing Cross and takes up to three years to attain.