Issue - meetings

Report of Service Director - Transactions and Universal Services reviewing the change of the knowledge test for new private hire drivers and seeking approval for the continuance of the current test for new private hire drivers.

The Committee considered the report of the Service Director Transactions and Universal Services seeking approval to continue with the current content of the test for new private hire drivers.

Clive Johnson, Radio Taxis Drivers’ Association, Ian Hall, Southampton Hackney Association and GMB Union, Perry McMillan, Unite Union and Phil Bates, Licensing Manager were present and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

The current test had been introduced in January 2018 with the agreement that a review would take place after one year.  The Committee noted the balance between discouraging drivers (as had happened in the past due to the test being more challenging) and encouraging out of town drivers who do not have cameras in their vehicles and may not know the topography of the area as well as local drivers.

A motion was proposed and it was agreed to amend the Recommendation as follows:  To review the process again in another year and to review the test at that time in relation to drivers’ location knowledge. 

RESOLVED that the current test content continue subject to the process being reviewed again after one year including the element relating to drivers’ location knowledge.