An introduction to the DSA private hire and hackney carriage assessment Phil Hawyes – Experienced driver assessment services

About the Driving Standards Agency The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is an executive agency that is part of the Department for Transport. We have statutory responsibility for setting standards and conducting assessments of driving competence through theory and practical tests. We are a national organisation delivering tests from over 400 practical driving test centres / multi purpose test centres and around 150 theory test centres. We are also responsible for: –statutory regulation of driving instructors and trainers –promotion of voluntary registers –promotion of non-statutory activities that improve driving standards and contribute to wider road safety

Background to taxi testing We have provided licensing authorities with a driving assessment for taxi drivers since DSA conducts around 15,000 assessments every year on behalf of over 160 licensing authorities across Great Britain. By assessing taxi drivers we seeks to improve road safety in partnership with the local authority by providing an independent assessment of driving ability. Authorities use the assessment in different ways: –as part of their approval process –as a quality control process for existing drivers.

Basics The assessment is non statutory and is set to a higher standard than the practical car test with fewer driving faults permitted. The assessment is conducted by a qualified driving examiner from test centres that we agree with the licensing authority. The assessment will confirm that the candidate is well grounded in the principles of safe driving and also that they can demonstrate the necessary consideration for fare paying passengers. The cost of the assessment is paid for by the driver and there is no charge for the licensing authority.

What we look for The on-road assessment lasts minutes and looks at all aspects of driving including: awareness & anticipation and effective observations effective planning of prevailing road & traffic conditions correct use of speed ability to provide passenger safety and comfort a requirement to drive independently for approximately 10 minutes pulling up in a safe position for passengers to get in or out of the vehicle performing a taxi or private hire related manoeuvre The driver may be asked to perform an emergency stop.

What we look for At the end of the assessment the driver will be asked a few questions from the Highway Code including identification of road signs and questions relating to taxi driving in general. At the end of the assessment the driver will be informed whether they have passed or failed and the examiner will offer advice to improve aspects of their driving as necessary. Pass certificates are given to candidates to show to the licensing authority as evidence of successfully completing the assessment. Some insurance companies offer a discount for taxi drivers on production of the pass certificate (Swinton insurance or Taxi Fleet Plus (TFP) can offer up to 25%).

Wheelchair accessible vehicles A wheelchair assessment can be provided as an extension to the practical assessment for drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles. The following needs to demonstrated effectively: preparing the vehicle to board a wheelchair user safely placing the wheelchair in the vehicle securing the wheelchair using any brakes, seat belts, safety harness wheel belts or clamps fitted to the vehicle or the wheelchair reversing the process and unloading the wheelchair user A separate pass certificate is provided for the wheelchair exercise.

Booking Process There is no requirement for the licensing authority to book assessments on behalf of the drivers. The driver will be able to book the assessment in one of the following ways: online at direct.gov.uk by telephone on by downloading a postal booking form at businesslink.gov.uk

Further Information Please contact DSA experienced driver assessment service team with any questions relating to the taxi assessment. Philip Hawyes Helen Whelpton You can at: Further information is available on line at: