Hackney and Private Hire Drivers Knowledge Test

Knowledge Test for New Applicants for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers Licences

The Knowledge Test currently takes place fortnightly on a Wednesday morning.

In order to offer a safe and efficient service to members of the public it is important that private hire and hackney carriage drivers have a good working knowledge of the area in which they work and the laws and policies they operate under.

Because of this all new applicants for a private hire (PHV) and hackney carriage (Taxi) driver licence are required to pass a driver knowledge test before their licence can be granted.

The Knowledge test consists of :-

Section A – pass mark 18

Driver Policy & Conditions – 10 questions (multiple choice)

Disability & Equality Awareness & Safeguarding – 10 questions (multiple choice)

Section B – pass mark 18

Local Area Knowledge – 20 questions (multiple choice)

Section C – pass mark 10

Basic Numeracy Assessment – 10 questions

Section D – pass mark 5

Highway Code Road Signs – 5 questions (multiple choice)

The Hackney Carriage Driver test consists of 5 questions on the shortest routes from A – B and the pass mark is 5

You must have passed the full Knowledge Test before being able to take the Hackney Driver Test.

Knowledge Test Study Guide

We advise that you obtain a good working knowledge of the local area before the day of the test.

In order to help you study for your test you should consider the following:

• Spending time in the local area and studying maps;
• Using the internet and/or the telephone directory to research the names of the roads on which local landmarks or bars, restaurants, schools etc are situated.
• Learn the street name locations of popular tourist destinations and landmarks in Thanet.

Take a look at the Visit Thanet site for details of local attractions, pubs, hotels etc

The KCC website has a list of schools in the area click here to access the site.

You must also complete the courses and tests stated below and read all the conditions listed, as this will help you with the questions at the test you will need the certificates from the tests before you can apply for the Knowledge Test as they need to be uploaded with your Test booking.

Safeguarding – complete the Classroom course and watch the presentation

As taxi drivers you have a responsibility for the safety of your passengers and safeguarding is a key concern of Thanet District Council. We believe that all licensed Taxi and PHV drivers should have basic safeguarding knowledge and training.

You must take the following Safeguarding course (£25.00) this is now a virtual classroom course, which takes 2hrs 45mins using the Zoom format, you will received joining instructions via an email once you have booked the course.   You are required to be seen and heard by the trainer and actively participate throughout the course, once the course is complete you will receive a certificate.

You will need to use a laptop, tablet or phone which can connect with Zoom and use audio and the camera, you will also need a strong wifi connection.  You will also need a valid driving licence as you will need to show this for ID purposes.

To make the course accessible to all it is narrated and the words are displayed on the screen.

Safeguarding Course FAQs

Taxi Safeguarding E-Learning course

Human Trafficking

View this presentation on Human Trafficking

Visitor Ambassador Course is now online – complete the test to get your certificate

This course is now online and must be completed.

There are two courses and two quizzes to complete

Welcome to the Isle of Thanet – Quiz

then

Customer Care – Quiz

Once BOTH courses and quizzes are completed and you have reached the pass mark the system will generate a certificate to confirm that you are now a Thanet Visitor Ambassador.

Pass Mark

18 out of 20 for Welcome to the Isle of Thanet

8 out of 10 for Customer Care

Please click here to access the course

Disability Awareness – watch the video

Under the Equality Act 2010 drivers are required to provide assistance and make all reasonable adjustments to transport disabled passengers in their vehicle. Thanet District Council are committed to ensuring that members of the public with a disability are given fair and equal access to public services including taxi and private hire transport.

View the following video –  Disability Equality – Taxi Drivers and the Law

The Highway Code – complete the test

Although you will have had your knowledge of the Highway Code tested by the DVLA when obtaining your driving licence, it is important for us as the Licensing Authority to know that you are competent in your understanding of road signs and basic rules of the road. We recommend that you must revisit the road signs section of the highway code to study for this section of the Knowledge test paper.

Visit the Highway Code Signs online test.

Private Hire Vehicle and Taxi Driver Conditions – read all the conditions

You will need to have a good knowledge of the Driver Conditions for the type of licence you are applying for, before taking the knowledge test. The conditions can be found here:

• Private Hire Vehicles – Conditions of Licence
• Hackney Carriages – Conditions of Licence
• Private Hire Driver – Conditions of Licence
• Hackney Carriage Byelaws

Booking  Your Test

You can now do the knowledge test without having to pay the full new driver application fee.  Once you have passed the knowledge test you can then apply to be a driver and complete the required forms and pay the rest of the fee.

You must pass the Safeguarding Course and the Visitor Ambassador Course (both above) before you apply to take your knowledge test as you will need to attach both certificates when you book the knowledge test.  If both of the certificates are not attached you will not be booked onto the knowledge test.

Click on the link below to book your Knowledge Test

Complete the application Form and make your payment online

Once we have received the form and payment we will contact you via email with details of the next available test date.  There is no need to call or email the office.

The tests take place fortnightly on a Wednesday you will need to be at the Council Offices between 9:30am – 9:45am for a 10:00am start.  

DBS Check

You can apply for your DBS before you do the knowledge test as the DBS can take a while to come back and if it is in place then as soon as you have passed the test you will be able to complete the application process.  If you wish to apply for your DBS please pick up a form from the main council reception desk.  Once you have completed the form you will need to email licensing@thanet.gov.uk to ask for an appointment to have your DBS checked and sent off.

Please note if you do apply for the DBS prior to you passing the knowledge test you MUST sign up for the DBS Update Service as soon you receive your check back as we cannot accept checks that are older than one month.  You will be given information on how to do this at your appointment.

Important Information

If you have a disability which you think could exclude you from taking the test please email licensing@thanet.gov.uk once you have booked your test.

The test will be conducted in silence. You may only speak to the invigilator and not to any other applicants who may be taking the test at the same time.

During the test you will not be permitted to use any of the following:

• mobile phones
• study notes
• text book
• hand held computers
• satellite navigation devices
• any other devices or notes as deemed unacceptable by the invigilator.

Evidence of the use of any of the above will result in your test being cancelled and you could be barred from taking the test for 12 months.   You will not be permitted to leave the room during the test so please ensure that you have taken any comfort breaks before the test begins.

The Council’s decision as to whether you have passed is final.

Refunds will not be given.