Taxi Drivers

Confidence School of Motoring have qualified instructors who are accredited to provide training to potential taxi drivers, enabling them to pass the new test set by the DVANI.

Although not yet a requirement in Northern Ireland the test will be based on the DSA system, whose advice is as follows:

The taxi assessment test is reflective of modern driving practices, the standard is set at a level suitable for the full driving licence holder, which is therefore higher than the learner driver test. It is important that you do not adjust your driving to what you may feel the examiner would expect to see, do not drive in an unnatural manner. It is important that you read the Highway Code and be familiar with your vehicle, it is also strongly advisable to consider taking professional instruction prior to taking the test.

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.

Please read `Your taxi/private hire assessment explained' for more information. This can be downloaded from the link below or it can be found in your taxi assessment pack.

What the examiner is looking for during a taxi test

you may be asked to do an emergency stop, you will need to demonstrate that you can stop as in an emergency, promptly and under control (avoid skidding)
you will be asked to carry out two manoeuvres one of which will be your own choice, 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 and pedestrians
you will be asked on a number of occasions to pull up on the left at a safe and convenient place, as if a fare is either going to get in or out of your vehicle - avoid parking next to lamp posts and trees as this could be potentially hazardous for your passenger
whenever you have been stationary at the side of the road, remember your important safety check - 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 signals given by other road users
you must 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
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

Wheelchair accessible vehicles

You should demonstrate your ability to securely erect the wheelchair ramps (whatever style of ramp fitted to your vehicle)

safely install the wheelchair in your vehicle, backing the chair to the `fold down' seats, then securing both wheelchair brakes
secure seat belts/safety harness and also secure wheel belts/clamps if fitted to your vehicle
having satisfied yourself that the wheelchair and imaginary disabled person are secure, reverse the process
you will be asked a few questions on the Highway Code, asked to identify a few traffic sign and road markings and asked some general cabology questions - this may include such questions as the length, width or height, tyre pressures, what to do if you found an item of lost property in your cab etc

It is important that you can demonstrate all the principles of safety and security - if seat belts, wheel belts or wheel clamps etc are fitted then they should be in good working order and applied whatever style of wheelchair accessible vehicle you bring on test.