New test for taxi drivers

(Date of issue: Tuesday, 14 December 2010)

New Carlisle taxi drivers will have to pass a disability awareness test before they get a licence.

Under new rules set out by Carlisle City Council, as the local licensing authority, anyone applying to be a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire driver will have to pass a new knowledge test.

Prospective new drivers already have to pass a test based on the location of streets, public buildings, pubs & restaurants, villages, routes and tariffs, before their licence is granted.

The new test will ensure that drivers are aware of their responsibilities to disabled passengers. Information, drawn together by the City Council’s licensing team, Carlisle Access Group and Cumbria County Council’s Social Services, will be sent as part of the application pack. They will then need to sit an exam to ensure that they have read and understood it.

The two-page document sets out what support should be offered to disabled passengers e.g. ask whether they need any assistance with their seat belt or entering/leaving the taxi. Also, how to provide support to visually impaired or blind passengers, as well as those who are hard of hearing or deaf; autistic; wheelchair users or passengers with learning difficulties.