TAXI TESTING
A1
National offers Pre-Test
Training and Mock Tests
for people preparing for the taxi test. Training is carried out one on
one in our school car or your own vehicle. Dont worry our cars don't
have L Plates or any other school signage on them. The training is
carried out to the exact same standard laid down by the DSA. Our
instructors will ensure you have all the skills needed in order to pass
the taxi test.
Cabbies
wanting to work in the Basildon district now
have to take a special test before being given a licence. Basildon Council
has agreed new applicants for taxi licences have to take the taxi test,
set by the Driving Standards Agency. Trained driving examiners at Southend Driving
Test Centre are assessing the ability of applicants to drive
safely and professionally on the roads.
The test, which was
introduced at the beginning of March 2008,
includes manoeuvres specifically for taxi drivers.
It is set at a higher standard than the practical test for learner
drivers.
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.
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
TO
BOOK OR FOR MORE INFO CALL US ON 01702 523262
