Private Hire - Taxi Training in Hinckley, Leicester, and Leicestershire
Welcome to Access Driving Tuition's Private Hire / Taxi training / information page.
This section is designed to help answer questions regarding the DVSA, Local Council authorities requirements on obtaining your Private Hire (PHV) / Hackney Carriage (Taxi) licence.
To learn about the exact licensing requirments for the area you wish to operate as a taxi driver you should contact the relevant local authority or contact myself with the area and I will give you the details.
The rules and regulations vary from Council to Council.There are however, some standard requirements.
First of all you
- Be able to legally work in the UK.(proof of right to work and live in the UK)
- Held a full UK driving licence for at least 12 months
- Be at least 18 years of age 21 in some areas.
- Undertake a Enanced DBS.(Criminal records check)
- Medical examination.
- Take a practical driving test.(Referred to as an assesment)
You may also need to;
- Take an English exam.(Speak-Listen-Read ESOL entry level 2 or 3)
- Pass a theory test.(Highway code question and may include a hazard-perception test, Council depending)
- A topograthy test.(knowing the area,main land marks and route planning)
- Knowledge test.(Some Councils have a knowledge test, which may be a combination of the above,plus customer care and general taxi/private hire information, again this varies).
Before moving on I would like to clarify a couple points so there is no confusion,the above criteria is for areas outside of London, perticulary when we are mentioning the kowledge test. The London knowledge test is a completeley different animal.
Also please do not let the process of becoming a taxi driver put you off, none of it is difficult, you can earn a good wage, meet lots of nice people, all you have got to do is tick a few boxes.
I will give you as much advice has you need.
At this present moment in time Access offers training for your practical driving test and ESOL lessons for English if required which I have gone in to more detail below.
The practical assessment:
First of all you must complete an eyesight test, in which you'll be required to read a vehicle registration plate in good daylight from a distance of 20 metres.
The practical assessment is a test designed for experienced drivers, which assumes that the candidate will demonstrate a high level of driving ability. The assessment lasts for 35-40 minutes. You must not accumulate more than 9 minor faults and commit any serious faults.
The test will require you to carry out 'turning the car around in the road' manoeuvring exercise.
The examiner will select a section of road where there are various options available to do this. You will have to select the safest and most appropriate method of turning the car around. Methods you can choose from are:
Turn in the road
U-turn within the width of the road
Using the mouth of a junction on the left or right
Reversing into a side road on your left or right
When performing any of the above you must make sure you do not mount or hit the kerb or use a private driveway. All manoeuvres must be done safely and under control.
You will be asked to perform 2 of the following manoeuvres:
Turn in the road
Left or right reverse from major to minor road
Bay parking
Parallel parking
Please note 1 in 3 candidates will be asked to do the emergency stop
The Independent Drive
Independent driving forms part of the practical driving test. It requires the test candidate to drive without being given directions from the assessor, either following a series of street directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both, for about ten minutes.
Routine Stops
As this is common practice when driving a taxi the examiner will require you to perform two or three stops. You should: Pull up at a reasonable distance from the kerb where it is safe, legal and convenient Apply the handbrake Select neutral gear Ensure there are no obstructions, such as a street lights, that would stop a passenger opening the door
During
the test you'll be assessed on awareness, and planning, correct use of
speed, mirror use, vehicle control, consideration for other road users, and passenger safety and comfort.
If you request a wheelchair enhanced test you'll also demonstrate loading / unloading a wheelchair from your vehicle, securing the wheelchair with wheelchair brakes, fastening seatbelts or harnesses across the wheelchair.
When you pass your assessment you will receive a certificate, and a copy of the assessment sheet.
English lessons:
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Access Driving Tuition /assesment training fees
Cost of Hackney / PHV training is £30.00 per hour using your own car or £40.00 per hour using one of our school cars.
Test fees are for a weekday Hackney / PHV, or £87.00 for Hackney / PHV weekend test. Wheelchair enhanced test costs £117.00. These fees are correct at the time of publication.
To the best of my knowledge, Hinckley and Bosworth borough council use Bluelamptrust.org.uk to conduct there practical assessment/test.
Leicester City council use IAM Roadsmart to conduct there practical assessment/test.
If you would like book some training or have any question please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please call me or text us on 07970 204010
Alternatively you can:
