Information For Council Licencing Departments

Taxi Driving Assessments

Green Penny assists councils by providing assessment services for applicants with requirements and criteria similar to those previously set by the DVSA. We offer three types of assessments:

• Meet the legal eyesight requirements.
• Drive to a safe and competent standard.
• Perform a manoeuvre to turn their vehicle around.
• Complete approximately 10 minutes of independent driving.
• Stop at the roadside safely, simulating passenger pick-up/drop-off.
• Answer related knowledge questions, including handling lost property.
• Identify traffic signs and road markings from the Highway Code.
• Perform an emergency stop (at the assessor’s discretion).

For an enhanced assessment, drivers will also demonstrate:

• Safe wheelchair loading and unloading.
• Secure use of wheelchair brakes.
• Correct fastening of seatbelts or safety harnesses.
• Proper securing of wheel belts or clamps.

Standalone wheelchair assessments are also available. These assessments maintain the consistency of the DVSA assessments that were phased out in 2016, ensuring local authorities have reliable confirmation of driver standards. Successful candidates receive a certificate confirming their competency.

Taxi Driver One-Day Training Course

This course provides new and existing drivers with essential knowledge to operate as Hackney Carriage or PHV drivers. The course includes:

• Legislation, rules, and regulations for licensed drivers.
• Customer service skills for professional interactions.
• Driver safety awareness and self-protection strategies.
• Handling crime reports and customer complaints.
• Highway Code essentials for professional drivers.
• Disability and equality awareness.
• Safeguarding responsibilities.
• Payment handling and basic arithmetic.

The course concludes with a knowledge test.