Taxi training / assessment

Taxi Training / Assessment

This page is to advise those who would like to drive a hackney carriage or private hire taxi in Whitby. I cover Whitby town only so if you are reaching me from outside the town you are welcome to contact me but you would need to meet me at a suitable location in Whitby for the assessment training. For enquiries please call 07920 729623 or use the 'contact me' page on this web site.

About the Taxi Driving Assessment

This assessment is required by North Yorkshire Council before you can obtain your taxi licence. It will last around 40 minutes and you will need to find or own a car to complete this in. You must make sure you have suitable motor insurance cover in place. If unsure, please contact your insurer.

Before your assessment

I would recommend some in-vehicle training before your actual driving assessment. I can provide this and we can decide if we need any follow-up sessions or whether you are indeed ready for the assessment. These sessions are 1-hour long and cost £40 per hour. I will ask you to provide me with a driving licence check for which I will provide you with the details.

Documents you must bring

You must bring your photo-card driving licence. If you have an old-style paper licence instead of a photo-card, you must also bring a valid passport. Failure to bring these will result in the assessment being cancelled and you will lose your fee. Please also make sure you are in a fit state to drive and with appropriate footwear. If the assessor deems you unfit to drive I reserve the right to cancel the course at any time without refund.

What the taxi assessment involves

Eyesight test

At the start, you'll have to read a number plate from a distance of 20 meters for vehicles with a new-style number plates. You can't take the driving part of the assessment if you fail the eyesight test.

The practical taxi assessment

The assessment will include:

around 40 minutes of driving on various roads and traffic conditions
around 20 minutes of this will be driving independently following a sat-nav which your assessor will set up
2 manoeuvres including 1 taxi manoeuvre which will involve turning the car around on a road. You may use a turn in the road or a side road to reverse into, or a U turn using a junction providing this is safely carried out
An emergency stop when asked to carry it out
Stops at the side of the road as if a passenger is getting in or out of the car
Related questions, like what to do if a passenger leaves property in your vehicle questions from The Highway Code, identifying traffic signs and road markings, and a show me & tell me question. These can be found by clicking here.

You'll pass the assessment if you make 9 faults or less. You'll fail if you make a serious or dangerous fault.

At the end of the taxi assessment

When you pass your taxi assessment, you'll get:

a pass certificate
a copy of your assessment report
a debrief from the assessor

If you fail the assessment you'll get:

a debrief from the assessor
a copy or your assessment report

Observers on the assessment

You may have someone accompany you on the assessment part of the drive. However they must not interfere in the assessment at all. This includes verbal or other means of prompting. Your assessment will be terminated and no refunds will be given. The assessor may also refuse to allow anyone to sit in the back on a practical drive as an observer. The assessor may also ask the observer to leave the vehicle whilst on a practical drive at their discretion or the test could be terminated.

Taxi assessment cabology questions

As a licenced taxi driver, what must you wear and clearly display with you at all times?
If you found an item of lost property left in your taxicab, what would you do with it?
What is the minimum legal requirement of a tyre tread depth?
If the tyre pressures of the vehicle you are driving are 35psi at the front and 40psi at the rear, what would you consider the correct pressure for the spare to be?
As a Private Hire taxi driver, what is your main responsibility?
How would you show consideration for passengers alighting from your vehicle?

Taxi assessment cabology answers

The taxi drivers badge.
Either hand it into a police station or local licencing office within 24 hours, depending on local regulations.
1.6mm across 75 of the width of the tyre and around the entire circumference of the tyre.
40psi, because it would be easier to deflate than inflate a tyre at the roadside.
The safety and comfort of your passenger.
Stop close to the kerb and avoid proximity to obstructions (street furniture, trees etc.)

Assessments, booking & prices

Standard assessment

Pre-assessment drive per hour - £40.00

Standard assessment - £60.00 (this includes a verbal debrief and assessment report)

All fee’s to be paid by bank transfer before arranged booking date. Details will be provided.

To cancel or change your assessment you will need to give 5 clear day’s notice, otherwise you will lose your fee.

Prior to booking

As a professional driver you should always keep yourself up to date with knowledge on the latest version of the Highway Code. (It is in your interest to revise before your booking date).

Passing your assessment

When you pass your assessment you will be given a verbal debrief, a copy of your assessment paperwork. You will receive a certificate by email within three days. All information on the certificate relates to your driving licence and cannot be amended. Procedures for cross checking and validation of certificates is common practice.

Failing your assessment

If you do not pass your assessment you will be given a verbal debrief and a copy of your assessment paperwork. There are no time restrictions to re-book another assessment but I will advise on the feedback what to do next.

Good luck!