Tougher tests for taxi drivers

Audlem taxi drivers may face a new test if they want to keep their three-year cab licenses.

Lower standards for getting a taxi licence in Cheshire East has led to a rise in applications from places like Manchester, where rules are much tighter.

Now Cheshire East is considering a toughening up of regulations for hackney carriage and private hire drivers across the borough.

A report to Cheshire East licensing committee suggests that after July 2013 all new applicants for cab licences should have passed a BTech Level Two Certificate on the role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver.

A report to councillors warns that Cheshire East falls short of the standards required in councils such as Cheshire West, Chester, Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester.

"This makes Cheshire East vulnerable to applicants from outside the Borough and who have failed the requirements of other Licensing Authorities. Members are aware that we have seen an increase in the number of applications being made by residents of North Manchester," the report warns.

Both South Cheshire College and Macclesfield College have said they are prepared to run courses and can set them up quickly if required. The cost of taking the course, to be borne by the applicant, would be £235.

Potential cab drivers in Cheshire East must currently fill in the council's application form, declare any certificates barring them from driving, have a satisfactory driving record, take a medical and pass a 'knowledge test'.

An exam paper covers the Highway Code, taxi laws and six written question on local knowledge. Applicants get three goes at passing per application and the current failure rate is 60%.

Those that pass get a badge and licence, which is valid for three years and which enables them to drive either a Hackney Carriage Vehicle or Private Hire Vehicle in Cheshire East Council Zones Macclesfield, Congleton or Crewe.

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