Gray’s Training

About the Taxi Driving Assessment

The Taxi Driving assessment is done in your own vehicle and is your responsibility to make sure it is road worthy and legal for the assessment to be conducted.

Meeting the assessor / instructor

Please be on time for your assessment as the assessor will only allow 10 minutes after the start time of the assessment. After this time your assessment will be forfeited and a refund will not be given.

Documents you must bring

You must bring your photo-card driving licence. If you have an old-style paper licence instead of a photo-card, you must also bring a valid passport. Failure to bring these will result in the assessment being cancelled and you will lose your fee.

What the taxi assessment involves

Eyesight test

At the start, you'll have to read a number plate from a distance of 20 meters for vehicles with a new-style number plates. You can't take the driving part of the assessment if you fail the eyesight test. You can still do the wheelchair exercise if you're taking the enhanced assessment.

The practical taxi assessment

The assessment will include:

• around 40 minutes of driving on various roads and conditions - this may include some motorway driving a manoeuvre where you'll be asked to turn your vehicle to face the opposite direction
• around 10 minutes of driving without being given turn-by-turn directions by the assessor
• independent drive
• Stops at the side of the road as if a passenger is getting in or out of the car
• related questions, like what to do if a passenger leaves property in your vehicle questions from The Highway Code and identifying traffic signs and road markings.

You'll pass the assessment if you make 9 faults or less. You'll fail if you make a serious or dangerous fault.

The assessment is NOT a knowledge test and you will not be asked to drive the assessor somewhere.

The assessor will give you the directions. We understand that as a driver you will have picked up many habits whilst driving over the years. Please drive as you would normally do for the assessor as these are taken into account and do not mean you would fail the test. For example steer as you normally would as we look at the control of the vehicle not the method.

Taxi manoeuvre

The examiner will ask you to turn the vehicle around to face the opposite direction as though picking up another customer. You have a choice of options to do this:

1. Three point turn.
2. Left reverse in to a side road.
3. U-turn, providing this is safe and legal to do so.

You should not reverse out of a side road as this is not considered safe and you should not mount the pavement or use a private driveway

Satellite navigation

You may have a sat-nav on during your drive but the sound must be switched off. Any audible sound for speed cameras and speed change must also be turned off.

At the end of the taxi assessment

When you pass your taxi assessment, you'll get:

• a pass certificate
• a copy of your assessment
• a debrief from the assessor

If you fail the assessment you'll get:

• a debrief from the assessor
• a copy or your assessment

Wheelchair exercise (for the enhanced assessment)

You'll have to do a wheelchair exercise if you're taking the enhanced assessment - you'll need to bring a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

You'll need to show your ability to:

• safely load and unload the wheelchair using your vehicle
• use the wheelchair brakes to secure and release it
• fasten the seat belts or safety harness
• secure any wheel belts or clamps fitted to your vehicle

Observers on test

You may have someone accompany you on the drive. However they must not interfere in the assessment at all. This includes verbal or other means of prompting. Your assessment will be terminated and no refunds will be given. The assessor may also refuse to allow anyone to sit in the back on a practical drive as an observer. The assessor may also ask the observer to leave the vehicle whilst on a practical drive at their discretion or the test could be terminated.

Cameras on test

You can use a camera fitted for insurance purposes, as long as it:

• is external facing and doesn't film the inside of the vehicle
• doesn't record audio from inside the vehicle

We will under no circumstances accept, comment on, or review audio or video footage provided by a test candidate or third party to facilitate a challenge to the conduct of any practical test or its result. Any footage received in connection with an allegation of criminal activity or intent will be referred to the police.

Tests recorded without permission

The driving assessor won't start the driving test if they know it's being recorded without permission. They'll stop the test if they become aware that it's being recorded. The assessor will then give the candidate the chance to turn off the recording equipment. The test will be ended and the candidate will lose their test fee if the candidate can't do this quickly or easily.

Your car on the taxi driving assessment

It must be insured. As this is a vocational test / assessment you shouldn't need special insurance like a learner driving test. Most insurance companies won't require any additional money or requirements but you should check with your insurer.

It must have a current MOT, if this is applicable.

It must have road tax.

Other rules for your vehicle for the taxi assessment:

• have no warning lights showing, for example, the airbag warning light or engine management light
• have no tyre damage and the legal tread depth on each tyre - you can't have a space-saver spare tyre fitted
• be smoke-free - this means you can't smoke in it just before or during the assessment
• be able to reach at least 62mph and have a mph speedometer
• have 4 wheels and a maximum authorized mass (MAM) of no more than 3,500 kg - information will be in the vehicles handbook
• you cannot use a convertible car
• all lights and indicators must be working - you will be required to demonstrate these are in working order, along with other ancillary controls

The test will be cancelled and you will lose your fee if these rules are not met.

There is no need to bring additional mirrors as the assessor will supply their own and fit this at the start of the assessment.

If the vehicle has a private hire plate, the number must be the same as on the plate inside the vehicle. It must also be wheelchair accessible if you're taking the enhanced test (for example, London-style 'black cabs').

You will be asked to sign a declaration to say these rules are met and Gray's Training or the assessor will not be liable for any accidents or damage to the vehicle during the assessment.

Questions

At the start of the assessment you will be asked some questions. You will be asked questions on

• road traffic signs
• highway code
• cabology - questions about being a taxi driver

Taxi assessment cabology questions 

1. As a licensed taxi driver, what must you wear and clearly display with you at all times? 
2. If you found an item of lost property left in your taxicab, what would you do with it? 
3. What is the minimum legal requirement of a tyre tread depth? 
4. If the tyre pressures of the vehicle you are driving are 35psi at the front and 40psi at the rear, what would you consider the correct pressure for the spare to be? 
5. As a Private Hire taxi driver, what is your main responsibility? 
6. How would you show consideration for passengers alighting from your vehicle?

Taxi assessment cabology answers

1. The taxi drivers badge.
2. Either hand it into a police station or local licensing office within 24 hours, depending on local regulations.
3. 1.6mm across 75 of the width of the tyre and around the entire circumference of the tyre.
4. 40psi, because it would be easier to deflate than inflate a tyre at the roadside.
5. The safety and comfort of your passenger.
6. Stop close to the kerb and avoid proximity to obstructions (street furniture, trees etc.)

Assessments, booking & prices

Standard assessment

Driver assessment only

Enhanced assessment (for wheelchair accessible vehicles)

You’ll need to provide a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

You’ll need to demonstrate your ability to:

• safely load and unload the wheelchair into your vehicle
• use wheelchair brakes to secure and release
• demonstrate the use of securing devises, belts, clamps, etc

Prices

Standard assessment - £75.00
Enhanced assessment - £85.00

All fee’s to be paid by bank transfer before arranged booking date. Details will be provided.

To cancel or change your assessment you will need to give 5 clear day’s notice, otherwise you will lose your fee.

Prior to booking

As a professional driver you should always keep yourself up to date with knowledge on the latest version of the Highway Code. (It is in your interest to revise before your booking date)

Passing your assessment

When you pass your assessment you will be given a verbal debrief, a copy of your assessment paperwork. You will receive a certificate by email within three days. All information on the certificate relates to your driving licence and cannot be amended. Procedures for cross checking and validation of certificates is common practice.

Failing your assessment

If you do not pass your assessment you will be given a verbal debrief and a copy of your assessment paperwork. There are no time restrictions to re-book another assessment.

How to book

To book an assessment either call 07909222866 or email graemeogrady@icloud.com. We can discuss and arrange a suitable and convenient location / time.

A consideration for operators, operating minibus transportation. To enhance driver skills as part of their personal development program, road safety and company image to have certified assessed drivers. Renewal required every 4 years.

MiDAS

Administered by the community transport association. Please call 07909222866 for more information.