Hackney carriage and private hire driver licences

The knowledge test confirms you have the knowledge to be licensed as a hackney carriage driver - including the requirements applicable to you and knowledge of the area:

The assessment is split into 3 sections:

• Section 1: Your responsibilities as a hackney carriage driver - This is a multiple choice test. Circle the letter of the correct answer.
  
  Only one option is correct.
  
  Clearly circle the one you believe is correct (if it's not clear, it won't be marked)
   
• Section 2: Routes from known ranks and pick up points to landmark premises - you need to write the shortest route from pick up point to destination.
  
  The route must take into account one way streets and other permanent traffic restrictions which determine the route traffic must use. Temporary closures in place on the day of the assessment (e.g. roadworks) aren't taken into account.
  
  The destination will be a well-known premises or landmark in North Northamptonshire (e.g. hotels, visitor attractions, council offices and other major sites - known premises which it would be reasonably expected could be taxi journey destinations) rather than a general domestic or business address 
   
• Section 3: Sat nav test - This permits the use of navigation devices as you may not fully know the area yet. We recommend Google Maps but you can use which ever system you wish, provided that it can give you the shortest route and the mileage of that route)

Phones or other devices will be switched off except for use in Section 3.

Timing and scores to pass

You will have 5 minutes to read the test paper. You will then have:

• 10 mins for Section 1
• 15 minutes for Section 2
• 15 minutes for Section 3

You will need to achieve the following scores in each section to pass:

• Section 1 - At least 6 out of 8
• Section 2 - At least 4 out of 5
• Section 3 - At least 4 out of 4

Test examples

Section 1 

Your responsibilities as a hackney carriage driver.

Example: When at work in your taxi, what do you do with your driver’s badge?

a) Not worry about it, you cannot remember where you put it
b) put it in the glovebox in case anyone asks to see it
c) either wear it or have it on clear display in the vehicle where it is plainly visible (correct)

Section 2 

Shortest routes from pick up to drop off points.

Example: Taxi rank, Parkland Gateway, George Street, Corby to Holiday Inn, Geddington Road, Corby 

Example Answer:

1. Right onto George Street
2. Left at roundabout - Follow Westcott Way A427 to roundabout
3. 2nd Exit onto Oakley Road A427 to roundabout
4. 3rd exit onto Geddington Road A6086
5. Holiday Inn on left at end of road.

Section 3

Shortest routes for pick ups using a navigation aid.

Example:  Pick up junction Silver Street / Oxford Street, Wellingborough to junction Bell Hill/Regent Street Finedon

Example answer:

1. From High Street, Wellingborough, right onto Church Street
2. Left into Park Road then right onto Alma Street
3. Left onto Cannon Street then Finedon Road
4. Straight over 4 roundabouts onto A510 Wellingborough Road to Finedon
5. In Finedon take second left onto Bell Hill
6. Drop off at Bell Hill and Regent Street Junction

Taxi ranks and other pick up points

Rushden

• College Street - on the south side between the point situated at 16 metres and 44 metres respectively, in a westerly direction from the line of the curb on its function with the west side of Alfred Street
• Alfred Street - additional stand west side of Alfred Street from a point 7.32 metres south of its junction with College Street for a distance of 27 metres in a southerly direction

Corby

• Elizabeth Street - westerly side between Corporation Street and the exit from Market Square
• George Street - at junction with Corporation Street
• George Street - Parkland Gateway
• George Street - easterly side up from commercial premises (number 76 to number 68)
• Cardigan Place
• Corby Railway Station

Wellingborough

• Orient Way - main rank and overflow rank
• Commercial Way
• Sheep Street
• Silver Street - night-time rank only. please refer to on-street signage for parking timings
  Wellingborough Railway Station permit only

Kettering

• Horsemarket - east side of the central island in Horsemarket (in the bus bays between 8pm and 6am only on any day)
• Sheep Street - on the west side immediately to the south of the junction with George Street
• Silver Street - on the west side immediately to the south of the junction with Gold Street
• Dalkeith Place - on the east side, 25 metres south of the junction with School Lane
• Newland Street - on the east side, 25 metres north of the junction with Gold Street
• Tanners Lane - on the south side adjacent to the entrance to the shopping centre
• Kettering Railway Station - permit only