Image Credit: www.taxi-point.co.uk
The government will begin consultations later this year to strengthen comprehensive taxi and private employment best practice guidance for local licensing authorities. According to the Department of Transportation (DfT), the government also supports the idea that all taxi and private drivers can receive disability awareness training as part of their licensing requirements.
This news follows recommendations made by the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Vehicle Licensing, which was established in September 2017. Professor Mohammed Abdel-Haq, chair of the group, submitted a report to the Secretary of State on July 9, 2018.
In February 2019, the government responded to a report, but confirmation was made earlier this month that the government would issue a statutory taxi and private employment standards shortly. Kennedy Lord of Southwark asked the government’s DfT: “What steps are being taken to improve the accessibility of taxis for wheelchair users?”
“The government is working to develop a comprehensive transportation system that is accessible to people with disabilities, including wheelchair users, easily and confidently. It is important that taxis and private car rental services play a role in ensuring that public transport is accessible as well.
“Response to the previous Government Task and Finish Group Report on Taxi and Private Vehicle (PHV) licensing demonstrates our commitment to take action to ensure that taxi and PHV drivers receive disability awareness training. This remains the government’s position. “We propose to issue revised best practice guidance for local licensing bodies for consultation later this year, including enhanced recommendations for supporting comprehensive services.”
Difference between taxi and private rental
Both taxis and minicabs do the same job when transporting people from A to B, but there is a huge difference in how they work and it takes to get qualified and start working. Before deciding on the desired job, it is helpful to get a comparison of the two jobs to get a basic overview, such as requirements and deadlines.
Taxi: The main advantage of taxis is that anyone can take a taxi from anywhere. This means that the two trips are not the same. This means that drivers need to have a great deal of knowledge about roads and routes around London. Acquisition of the “Knowledge” can take a couple of years and will not be licensed until this is completed. It may seem like a long time, but the benefits are immense. When you have completed this, you can work wherever you want, work on your own, and work at any time you want. Obviously, the driver needs to get a full driver’s license from DVLA, NI or EEA. In addition, criminal records should be checked more closely and comply with DVLA Group 2 medical guidelines. After this, you need to pass the DSA taxi driving license test.Private rental: Minicab drivers are only available to authorized operators and can only pick up passengers via pre-booked reservations. This is the main difference between a taxi and a cab, but the other difference is the time scale for obtaining a license. It only takes about 16 weeks to start working. Get a full driver’s license from DVLA, NI or EEA for at least 3 years. Also pass verification from the Criminal Records Office, comply with DVLA Group 2 medical guidelines, read maps and perform route plot tests called terrain tests.
