Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
19
Dec 2022
Council considers North Yorkshire knowledge test for taxi drivers
Harrogate taxi drivers may be required to have knowledge of Skipton and Ryedale, under proposals being considered by county council bosses.
The local knowledge test licensed drivers must pass to carry passengers looks likely to be adapted, a meeting examining a move to create the country’s largest single taxi zone has heard.
Under proposals already put forward, the new North Yorkshire Council would create a single licensing policy for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles in the entire county.
It would mean drivers in Harrogate could operate anywhere in North Yorkshire, whereas they are currently restricted to the Harrogate district.
Councillors examining issues over harmonising taxi services heard the Department for Transport believed abolishing the seven zones would cut dead mileage for drivers and boost customer choice.
At the moment, the district and borough councils all have a knowledge test restricted to their areas, and it is unclear how much knowledge a taxi driver based in Selby would need to have of villages in the Yorkshire Dales.
Read more:
- No increase in wheelchair accessible taxis in Harrogate district
- Taxi licensing changes will cause ‘chaos’, says Ripon cabbie
- New council plans single taxi licensing for North Yorkshire
To ensure customers get good service, taxi drivers wanting to trade in Hambleton district must pick the right multiple choice answer to questions such as:
Officers leading the proposals said they were examining how the knowledge test could be applied across North Yorkshire.
However, the proposals have been criticised by some local drivers.
Councillors were told taxi drivers in Harrogate in particular had formed “very vociferous” views over the proposals, which also include not setting a limit for the amount of taxis that can be licensed.
'Straw that breaks the camel's back'
Since North Yorkshire County Council launched a consultation over the proposed changes in October, many taxi drivers have criticised the plans, saying they could be the straw that break’s the camel’s back after suffering a loss of trade due to covid and high fuel costs.
Richard Fieldman, who has operated his cab in Ripon for 28 years, told the Stray Ferret previously that the planned changes would see drivers “swamp” areas during the busiest times of day.
Mr Fieldman said the move would see quieter areas deprived of taxis during the busier times.
He said:
A consultation into the policy changes is open until January 19, 2023. You can have your say here.
0