Agenda item - Driver Training

Report of the Director of Environment (copy attached).

RESOLVED – That:

1.      All prospective Hackney Carriage/Private Hire driver applicants shall be required to hold the Level 2 BTEC Award in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire before licensing, from a date agreed by the Director of Environment, and;

2.      That the power to approve the training provider is delegated to the Director of Environment.

7.1       The Committee considered a report from the Director of Environment regarding Driver Training (for copy see minute book).

7.2       The Licensing Manager introduced the report and stated that all new Hackney Carriage/Private Hire drivers were required to undertake training regarding disability issues and customer care. The award was a Level 2 BTEC, which was funded by central Government.

7.3       Councillor Hawkes asked where drivers could take this training and the Licensing Manager replied that there were various different ways to access the training material, via classrooms, computers or coursework and the course was tailored to suit the individual in this regard.

7.4       Councillor Simson asked if the requirement extended to jockey drivers as well as those who owned their own vehicles and the Licensing Manager confirmed that it did.

7.5       Councillor Mrs Theobald stated that she had experienced problems recently with Taxi Drivers taking indirect or inappropriate routes through the city, and asked for this to be raised at the next Taxi Drivers Forum. Councillor Cobb agreed and noted that there were instances of bus lanes being used incorrectly by taxi drivers. The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing agreed and noted that some routes in the city were currently posing particular problems. Road signage had been checked by Highways Officers and was deemed to be correct, and so the next step was to raise the issue at the Taxi Drivers’ Forum and consider enforcement action in conjunction with the Police.

7.6       RESOLVED – That:

1.      All prospective Hackney Carriage/Private Hire driver applicants shall be required to hold the Level 2 BTEC Award in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire before licensing, from a date agreed by the Director of Environment, and;

2.      That the power to approve the training provider is delegated to the Director of Environment.