The practical taxi test assessment
Before you are issued with a Hackney Carriage or
Private Hire Drivers Licence you must pass a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire
test assessment. At Coles driving academy we can familiarise you with the
contents of the test, the DSA strongly recommended that you take professional
instruction prior to taking the test. 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 as you can imagine will therefore
higher than the learner driver test.
You must provide a roadworthy vehicle suitable for the purpose of the test,
which must include head restraints and seat belts follow this link for more
information on vehicles suitable for test
DSA Suitable Vehicles
The eyesight test
At the start of your taxi assessment test you will
be asked to read in good daylight (with the aid of glasses or contact lenses
if worn) a registration mark fixed to a motor vehicle with letters and
figures 79.4 millimetres high at a distance of 20.5 metres (20 metres for a
new style number plate). If you fail the eyesight test, you will be unable to
take the driving part but will still be able to continue with the wheelchair
section.
For further information about the eyesight test click the link this
link
Eyesight test
The practical test
The practical test will last for about
40 minutes, depending on traffic. During the test you should drive in a
natural way, and should not adjust your driving to what you may feel the
examiner would expect to see. The examiner will give you clear instructions
which you should follow throughout the test.
During the practical test, you will be examined on the following: awareness
and anticipation, effective planning of prevailing road and traffic
conditions. correct use of speed, emergency stop (one in three tests),
A manoeuvre involving reversing: Hackney
Carriage/Private Hire Car related exercise, passenger safety and comfort,
wheelchair element (for Black Cab style only)
The wheelchair exercise
If you are taking the taxi test with the wheelchair
exercise you should also be able to:
Demonstrate your ability to securely erect the
wheelchair ramps, floor ramp etc, safely install the wheelchair in your
vehicle, secure seat belts/safety harness and also secure any wheel
belts/clamps fitted to your vehicle, reverse the process by taking off the
belts, harnesses and clamps, taking the wheelchair out of the vehicle and
putting the ramps away
At the end of the test
On passing the test you will receive: a pass
certificate, the offer of a debrief, an assessment copy, If you pass the
driving element of the taxi test you will receive a TPH10 certificate. If you
pass the wheelchair element you will receive a WTA10 certificate.
If you fail the test you will receive: the offer of a debrief, an
assessment copy, training advice
If you fail the taxi practical test you may retake
the test again at a later date. You must, however, wait a minimum period of
three clear working days between appointments. There is no limit to the
number of times you can take the test.
The Taxi Test report form
