Follow PHTM
Posted on the 9th June 2025 in PHTM News
PENDLE COUNCIL AXES DRIVER KNOWLEDGE TEST CITING SAT NAVS MAKE IT OBSOLETE
Pendle Council has opted to remove the local knowledge test from its assessment for new taxi and private hire drivers, citing government guidance that deems such tests "obsolete" due to the prevalence of satellite navigation technology and pre-booked journeys.
The decision was made at a taxi licensing meeting in May, scrapping the £29.90 test component for hackney carriage and private hire licence applicants.
A spokeswoman for Pendle Council confirmed the move, stating: "Government guidance says that due to sat nav technology and with journeys being pre-booked the need for a local spatial test is now obsolete. We are therefore complying with national guidance."
However, not all councils in Lancashire are following suit. Neighbouring authorities such as Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Rossendale Council still retain a local knowledge element in their taxi driver assessments.
Blackburn with Darwen's £87 test, for instance, requires applicants to identify the roads of ten local landmarks, including pubs, schools, and medical centres. Rossendale's £70 example test includes questions on local pubs and landmarks, as well as general knowledge queries.
Some drivers argue that local knowledge extends beyond simply knowing street names. Mo, a private hire driver working in Blackburn, emphasised the practical advantages.
"Sat navs are great, obviously, but someone who has a lot of knowledge about their local area will know where roadworks are located, or which roads are quieter at certain times," he told LancsLive.
He also highlighted the convenience for passengers if they change their destination mid-journey, noting that drivers reliant solely on sat-navs would "have to stop and re-route their journey whereas those who know the town they work in will have no problem."
While Lancaster City Council's assessment, costing £87, does not appear to include a local knowledge test, they do offer free training courses through a local college. Applicants for taxi licences must cover the cost of both the test (where applicable) and the application itself.
Three-year licence fees vary significantly across councils, from £354 in Lancaster to £238 in Blackburn with Darwen and £259 in Rossendale.
Read another story
- FAMILY ASTOUNDED AFTER NO ACTION TAKEN AGAINST UBER DRIVER ACCUSED OF NOTTINGHAM ASSAULT
The incident, which was partially filmed, has left the family questioning the justice system.
- MAN TO COMPENSATE DARLINGTON TAXI DRIVERS WHO HE TARGETED IN RACIALLY ABUSIVE TIRADE
A Chilton man has been handed a community order after admitting to racially abusing and threatening two taxi drivers in separate incidents.
- PLYMOUTH LEADS UK WITH OVER 300 TAXIS NOW CARRYING LIFE SAVING BLEED KITS
The latest significant rollout saw an additional 200 kits distributed to drivers at Plymouth Train Station’s taxi rank.
- PROTESTS AT TFL BOARD MEETING AFTER PH DRIVER DIED AMID LICENSING BACKLOG CHAOS
Protesters in the public gallery repeatedly called on Mayor Khan to "remember Rob Dale," asserting that Mr. Dale "had a heart attack due to the licence delay."
- CRESTA TAXIS SCOOPS UP COMMUNITY SUPPORT WITH FREE ICE CREAM AND CHARITY DRIVE
The event will unfold at Cresta's offices, with ice cream served from 12pm to 3pm this Saturday, June 14, in Connah's Quay, and on Sunday, June 15, in Mold.
- MIDLOTHIAN TAXI DRIVERS CALL FOR FARE INCREASES OF UP TO 20 PER CENT
Midlothian Taxi Owner’s Association (MTOA) has called on the council to consider introducing fares which mirror Edinburgh and say costs have increased significantly since the last review in 2022.
- TAXI DRIVER'S ORDEAL BOTTLE WIELDING MAN DAMAGES VEHICLE IN NOTTINGHAM INCIDENT
The incident, which occurred on April 26 at approximately 8:15pm, saw the driver's window struck and his registration plate damaged.
- DERBY'S TAXI AGE LIMIT SPARKS OUTCRY AHEAD OF COUNCIL HEARING
The policy, enforced since April, has sparked a protest rally and deep concerns among drivers who fear it could jeopardise their livelihoods.
- TEENAGER CHARGED WITH DRINK DRIVING AFTER TAXI STOLEN IN BIRMINGHAM
West Midlands Police reported that the vehicle was stolen by Alfie Mooney, 19, on Bromford Lane, Hodge Hill, shortly after 2am.
- NELSON TAXI DRIVER ORDERED TO PAY OVER £500 OVER ASSISTANCE DOG REFUSAL
Mohammed Sohail Akram pleaded guilty at Burnley Magistrates’ Court to the offence.
- MILFORD HAVEN TAXI DRIVERS ORDEAL: COUPLE JAILED FOR KNIFE AND NEEDLE ROBBERY
A Pembrokeshire taxi driver has spoken of enduring nightmares and profound family fears after being robbed at knifepoint and pricked with a needle by a couple in Milford Haven last October.
- BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL REVOKES 18 TAXI LICENCES AMID SURGE IN DRIVER OFFENCES
This figure marks a significant increase compared to the 11 revocations made in the same period last year.
- EDINBURGH'S BELOVED TAXI OUTING BRINGS JOY AND COLOUR TO CITY STREETS
The long-running Edinburgh Taxi Outing made its way through the city centre on Tuesday morning 10 June, as drivers donned their cabs with colourful balloons.
- LONDON GEARS UP FOR ROBOTAXI REVOLUTION AS UBER ANNOUNCES SELF DRIVING TRIALS NEXT SPRING
This comes after the UK government fast-tracked plans for fully AV pilots, allowing companies to operate small-scale taxi or "bus-like" services without a safety driver for the first time in Europe.
- TEN TAXIS INSPECTED IN SOUTH RIBBLE CRACKDOWN, ONE DEFECT NOTICE ISSUED
As part of National Licensing Week 2025, ten licensed taxis in South Ribble underwent inspections by local police and South Ribble BC aiming to ensure compliance with taxi licensing laws.
- PARKING PANDEMONIUM: ILLEGAL PARKING NEAR TAXI RANK SPARKS ROW IN WORCESTER
A simmering dispute over illegal parking near a Worcester taxi rank has boiled over, with a cycling group calling it a "massive problem" and a councillor labelling it an "anti-taxi campaign."
- CONSULTATION ON TAXI VEHICLE SAFETY LAUNCHED IN PENDLE
Pendle’s Taxi Licensing Policy has been updated to improve safety standards in vehicles and Pendle Borough Council wants your views on the proposed changes.
- CCTV APPEAL AFTER TAXI DRIVER THREATENED IN CORBY
Police officers are appealing for help to identify three men they believe may have information regarding an incident in which a taxi driver was threatened.
- TEN WORCESTER LICENCES REVOKED IN THREE YEARS WITH MYSTERY SHOPPER INITIATIVE UNDERWAY
Worcester City Council has revoked the licences of ten taxi drivers over the past three years, signalling a firm stance on maintaining high standards and enforcing regulations within the city's taxi services.
- TAXI DRIVER SUSPENDED IN WARRINGTON LICENSING CRACKDOWN
A multi-agency enforcement operation in Warrington town centre on Saturday evening, June 7, led to the suspension of one taxi driver and the delayed suspension of two others.
