Agenda item

The committee is requested to note an update in relation to the introduction of a computerised knowledge test for new Private Hire Driver Licence applications and changes to the existing test for Hackney Carriage drivers.

Mr Barson explained that, following the last meeting, officers began designing a computerised Knowledge Test in partnership with Diamond. Mr Barson listed the five sections which cover the road signs, Highway Code, HC/PH law and policy, places of interest and prevention of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and disability awareness.  All applicants would have to complete these sections regardless of whether they are applying for a HC or PH driver licence. However, HC licence applicants would be required to answer additional geographical questions and a number of questions would be specific to either HC or new PH applicants. To pass the test new applicants must achieve 70% or above in all sections, however there is opportunity for two retakes. The applicant will only be re-tested on the sections failed.  If an applicant is unable to pass all sections of the test after three attempts they must wait six months. Each applicant is charged £41 per test and an additional £20 per retake. Mr Barson outlined plans for officers to trial the test on four purpose built laptops provided by IT. He explained that data would be transferred and stored on a master laptop. Mr Barson confirmed that a factsheet detailing the test process could be found on the CDC website.

In response to members concerns regarding officer time, Mr Foord confirmed that although there had been a significant recent increase in the number of new PH driver applications new ways of working allows officers to use their corporate laptops to work whilst invigilating. Regarding the level and content of the test, Mr Foord explained that the test includes questions about the whole district and not just Chichester city centre. Mr Foord explained that it requires an applicant to have some knowledge of the area and the licensing team had adopted a common sense approach in formulating the questions. He assured the Committee that if the majority of applicants consistently achieve 100% mark in answering the questions, therefore indicating that the questions may be too easy then the questions would be reviewed.  Conversely, if some of the questions proved to be too difficult to answer for the majority of the applicants these would be reviewed. Regarding the testing of English, Mr Foord explained that by reading and answering the test questions a new applicant would have demonstrated a suitable level of understanding of the English language. He outlined how some other local authorities require all applicants to sit an English test but confirmed that at present there are no plans to implement this approach at CDC. Regarding applicants who are unable to read, Mr Barson confirmed that an officer would offer appropriate support. 

In response to a request to clarify whether a driver would be suspended for failing a test Mr Foord confirmed that as only new applicants would be required to take a Knowledge Test they would be unlicensed at that stage. Mr Foord asked members to consider whether the Committee should set a limit on the number of retakes allowed for a licence renewal test (at present there is no limit) i.e. would it be appropriate for a driver to be granted a licence if they had had to re-sit the Knowledge Test half a dozen times over a six or 12 month period. This is something that could be considered further after the system has been running for a period of time.

In response to members suggestions, Mr Foord agreed that applicants could be encouraged to take the Knowledge Test before paying for their criminal record and medical checks. He confirmed that it would not be possible to require all taxis to install a satellite navigation device but assured members that most CDC taxis have either a standalone device or a built in device.

Mr Connor proposed that applicants should be given the option to complete their Knowledge Test as the first stage of the application process. Mr Barrett seconded the proposal. The Committee were in agreement and requested officers implement the approach. The Committee also requested officers carry out an annual review of the Knowledge Test questions and provide the Committee with a full review of the process in two years’ time.

Following discussion on whether sections A and B (road signs and Highway Code) should be included in the test (as they relate to the Highway Code which is tested by the DVLA) Mr Page proposed that sections A and B be withdrawn. This proposal was not seconded.