Bracknell taxi driver knowledge tests to stay, says council
PATaxi drivers will still have to pass knowledge tests before getting their licenses, a council has decided.
Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers in Bracknell must sit geographical exams before they are allowed to get behind the wheel.
But some drivers had argued that sat-nav technology meant in-depth knowledge of the area was no longer needed.
Bracknell Forest Council voted to keep the tests, but asked for a format review of the exam.
The vote followed a consultation of both Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers, who expressed divided opinions, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Some Hackney Carriage drivers thought the test should stay, arguing that sat-navs can be unreliable.
One person who took part thought it was important that drivers had a decent knowledge of guest houses, care homes and doctors' surgeries.
They added: "I feel very strongly that all licensed drivers should have knowledge of the local area as we are obliged to take the shortest route and sat-navs are not that accurate."
But another response said sat-nav technology meant the knowledge test was no longer needed - and that having to pass it can stop many aspiring drivers from getting a job.
It said: "This requirement discourages potential drivers from pursuing a livelihood in the private hire industry, limiting the opportunities for private hire operators to recruit more drivers."
Other responses argued that the knowledge test should stay for Hackney Carriage drivers, who are the only ones allowed to be hailed down on the street, but should not be compulsory for private hire drivers.
One person said: "I would agree that Hackney Carriage drivers should have a good level of knowledge of the local area as they hail customers.
"I don't think that private hire drivers would need to necessarily retain this element for the nature of the business, being on advance booking only there is an element of preparation of route for the driver before [they are] dispatched."
The test will remain in place for both Hackney Carriage and private hire drivers, but officers were asked to review the format.
