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The DSA assessment is compulsory for new drivers in my area and will be rolled out for existing drivers eventually.

I am all in favour and although it would be nice to get some financial help you cannot put a price on education and that is exacly what it is!

I have always tried to attend any type of course I can to further my knowledge and indeed enrolled both my wife and myself on a SEN (special education needs awareness) course off my own bat. I would recommend this to any driver's that carry special needs children.

Tony thanks for that post I appreciate it.
Overall we all seem to agree that our profession needs the standards lifted.
I do take on board the comments made as to " loss of earnings". but even if the worst came to the worst and drivers are not compensated
for training time.....Maybe we could all spare a hour or so each week to make professional drivers more professional.

You can tell its getting near Christmas !! No arguments and we are are heading in the right direction..

Thanks for the constructive replies. Still a lot of members are viewing  this topic but few respond...
Do we simply all agree on this  ?  I would like to hear more input from other members so we can see the bigger picture.

Regards Steve

I sat the DSA practical driving test for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire today 
and passed with a near perfect drive.
I am over the moon.
You are issued with a pass certificate from the DSA examiner the certificate is only valid for 1 year from the date you sit your test.

So who knows this might have to be an annual test ???????
I am now looking forward to sitting the IAM test

Regards Steve

Maybe someone can enlighten us about the fact "the certificate is only valid for 1 year"
And has drivers got to sit an annual test ?  or do licencing authorities treat it as a one off test ?

Steve

Just back from a meeting in a good old Labour Authority in the East End and they are going to give us all the help they can providing tutors and accommodation for free for drivers and those wishing to become drivers who may benefit from basic skills training

They will work with the GMB to put on an assessment day in February and the next task will be to knock up leaflets and posters in different languages and arrange for the distribution.

The idea of embedding conflict resolution into the training into any course was taken on board (many thanks allo allo) and so were the points that the branch secretary and myself have been making again and again that drivers will be harder than any other group of working people to get onto courses because of the fact that while the wheels are not turning we are not earning.

However even if it isn't a success then it proves one thing and that is if there is ever going to be successful training to raise standards the loss of earnings issue will have to be addressed. (If you can’t get a successful pilot project off of the ground with this lot in an area where we have quite strong membership you won’t get it anywhere)

In the meantime I suppose parasites and crooks in the education trough and our industry will continue to pluck figures out of thin air to get government funding. The bulk of the money will go into the pockets of the unscrupulous proprietors and fleet operators, those they bribe as assessors will continue to provide figures whether people have been on a course or not. The proprietor will blame the assessor if it comes on top and the education trough person will just keep plucking figures out of thin air to justify their existence as they carry on getting their hands on government money and misusing it.

If the decent people in this industry can work seriously on this issue, it may take a few years but eventually, testing by an independent body, relevant education provided by professionals and the relevant standards in terms of driving skills, topographical knowledge, communication and calculation skill and health and safety knowledge will be the pre entry requirements to getting into either wing of this trade anywhere in the country. Perhaps different standards for different levels but no more Mickey Mouse nonsense with crooks and parasites hiving off what should be going to the drivers.

Quote south london Cab
Just back from a meeting in a good old Labour Authority in the East End and they are going to give us all the help they can providing tutors and accommodation for free for drivers and those wishing to become drivers who may benefit from basic skills training

Thats the point what training and testing will really benefit our trade ?

Ok I am not been negative in any way here but I have just sat the DSA test and passed but longterm is it really a good thing ?
Just like our original driving test..once training is complete and the test is passed thats it ! It ends there and this allows drivers to slip back into there old ways and re-develop the poor standard of driving that most drivers use in everyday life.

To maintain standards we need a body of instructors / trainers that will asses drivers skills on a more frequent level.
The IAM is a quite a decent choice in my opinion as once training is complete and you are up to test standard because you are a member of this non profit making institute you can maintain your driving skills by undergoing different levels of testing eg: Bronze , Silver and Gold.
They have to be a consideration in the equation, they were established in 1956, the IAM is the UK’s leading road safety organisation dedicated to raising driving and raising standards and reducing the number of collisions that occur on our roads.

The Advanced Driving Test lasts for about 90 minutes and will usually cover between 30 and 40 miles along all types of road, town driving, motorways (if available) or dual carriageways, and even country lanes.

Your Examiner will hold a Police Advanced Driving certificate and will have extensive experience from working within sections of the Police Services throughout the UK.

It has to be food for thought..........

What do you think for long term improvements ?
DSA or IAM
Steve

There is the problem as well of uniform legislation not being implemented uniformly by licensing authorities.

What is the situation regarding PH driving standards outside of London. In the capital a clean driving license will do which would appear to me wholly inadequate.

A basic level of advanced driving which is regularly tested for ph and the higher for taxis would appear to be the way forward.

However topographical, customer care and safety awareness must also be part of it perhaps on the same broad basis

Legislation may be desirable but that will not alter an embedded culture on its own. Obliterating the craft mentality and eliminating the no hopers at the other end of the scale will be needed if the industry is to be sorted.

There are good people in the adult education services and the colleges down here who I have worked with on basic skills training for our GMB members and we are now going to be trying to run a pilot course in language training for drivers and those wanting to become drivers.

Do you think it is possible, if we ever did put vested self interests to the side and really tried to improve both sides of the industry for things like customer care and conflict resolution to be embedded in driving courses and tests?

Any testing should be equal for PH and HC !
They both carry passengers so they should be able to drive to at least a minimum level.

South London Cab...Mick is doing a course similar to what you mention
He also has offered applicants with any communication barriers the opportunity to 
go on a course in language training for drivers wanting to become drivers.
This should eliminate the need for interpreters and each individual will pass on there own merits.
This should not be seen as prejudice in any way as the language course will be free and be sat before the Taxi course,
that is if applicants need to do it through poor communication skills that will be assessed in the initial enrolment interview.

An important point is that all these courses must be equal so that they can be recognised nationally and no regional issues are 
brought into the equation when training / teaching.
I am about to attend various meetings with recognised trainers from the driving industry once we decide the best LONG TERM
solution we could maybe include this in proposals to our local authorities hoping that they will see that this is nothing more than a public safety issue that needs to be addressed sooner than later.
I will also be inviting representatives from our trade to attend future meetings so that we can work as one on this matter.
After all we all are trying to score the same goal here ! Arn't we ?

I know I have posted this before but in-case you never seen it here is our moment of fame in the local press.
Although the course here was held at Gateshead I was one of a few drivers from outside the Gateshead licencing area that attended and passed. ( Hence my derwentside Car in picture ).


Regards Steve

Hello Trevor.
You wrote...you are missing the point....... why am I not surprised....

_____________________________________________________

Please tell me what the point is ? and Why you are not surprised ?

I think this post was origionally to hear the points for and against tests !
What are your views on this ?

Steve

Speaking to some local drivers ( Not on the forums ).
They seem to be in favour of a test made compulsory for new applicants and
 for existing drivers that they should only be tested or assessed if they gather 6 points or more on there licence within
 a set time period !
They have told me that they are aware that some local authorities insist that all tuition and tests are to be paid for by the driver and not the LA.
In this case the cost factor must be considered.
This seems to make the IAM course the most feesable to attend !

That is until training is made available through licencing authorities.

Once again please let us hear your opinion on this.

Steve

So are you the one with the red shirt on Bandit hee hee marks out of ten il give her one