Taxi driver's knowledge levels

280special · 26-11-2011 7:06pm #1

Mods, please move this if need be, not sure if it should be here or not.

Can someone tell me what the requirements are to qualify for a Taxi driving licence with regards to local knowledge or the ability to find the shortest/quickest route ?

I know that they are fairly strict about this kind of thing in London but after some recent experiences I am wondering what are the rules here, both Dublin City and rural.

LighterGuy · 26-11-2011 7:07pm

Better off asking in the taxi forum mate. Best to get answers from people who've done the test themselves. But here's hoping a mod moves it for you

wolf moon · 26-11-2011 7:10pm

The title of this thread made me laugh.

Oranage2 · 26-11-2011 7:10pm

Last week I asked a black taxi driver to take me to Coolock and he asked if that was a pub.

I assume you just take 2 passport size photos and spell your name somewhat right then you get your license

phasers · 26-11-2011 7:12pm

From what I remember there's little or no required knowledge.

amdublin · 26-11-2011 7:13pm

Oranage2 wrote: »

Last week I asked a black taxi driver to take me to Cookock and he asked if that was a pub.

I assume you just take 2 passport size photos and spell your name somewhat right then you get your license

If (s)he was white would you have mentioned her colour?

El Guapo! · 26-11-2011 7:13pm

Oranage2 wrote: »

Last week I asked a black taxi driver to take me to Cookock and he asked if that was a pub.

I assume you just take 2 passport size photos and spell your name somewhat right then you get your license

You'll be slaughtered for that one.

Chuck Stone · 26-11-2011 7:13pm

You must be able to drive a car... I think..

UglyBolloxFace · 26-11-2011 7:14pm

Oranage2 wrote: »

Last week I asked a black taxi driver to take me to Cookock and he asked if that was a pub.

I assume you just take 2 passport size photos and spell your name somewhat right then you get your license

I'd have to agree with the driver -I've never heard of Cookock either.

CrazyRabbit · 26-11-2011 7:14pm

Chuck Stone wrote: »

You must be able to drive a car... I think..

Not from what I've seen from being in the passenger seat in some taxi's. I've had more close calls in 3 months while taking a taxi to work than in 11 years driving a bike.

John Doe1 · 26-11-2011 7:21pm

I you went through primary school you pass the test

InkSlinger67 · 26-11-2011 7:26pm

I believe they need a degree in the college of "Loife" with a masters in "annoying passenger techniques" in order to get their plates.

280special · 26-11-2011 7:35pm

Sounds like mine was not the only experience of taxi drivers not having a clue about good routing !

Taxi from Stephen's Green to Botanic Road anyone ? Via Malahide ? That was the driver's intended route anyway, needless to say the taxi was vacated within a few yards of its journey starting !

Not the first time this has happened , even in a small rural town! A few years ago, when out with friends who were somewhat the worse for drink we had a guy who tried to do a real round-about trip that would have been about 10 miles instead of 6...Dont think he was too impressed when a sober voice from the back seat asked him WTF did he think he was going and by what route !!

44leto · 26-11-2011 7:48pm

Taxi mens knowledge is mastermind level

They know everything.

wonderfulname · 26-11-2011 7:50pm

They don't actually need to know anything, I think there might be an optional cert of some kind similar to the mandatory qualification in london but I've yet to meet a taxi driver with one.

castletownman · 26-11-2011 7:56pm

My father got a taxi license last year. He had to sit a test very similar to the driver's theory test about his knowledge of the local area, in his case county Wexford. MCQ questions on say the name of the street that <town's> train station is on etc.

Hope that helps

Dotrel · 26-11-2011 8:03pm

Oranage2 wrote: »

Last week I asked a black taxi driver to take me to Coolock and he asked if that was a pub.

I assume you just take 2 passport size photos and spell your name somewhat right then you get your license

Well in fairness if you start your journey in London you'll be lucky to find a driver who knows the way.

kerash · 26-11-2011 8:05pm

280special wrote: »

Mods, please move this if need be, not sure if it should be here or not.

Can someone tell me what the requirements are to qualify for a Taxi driving licence with regards to local knowledge or the ability to find the shortest/quickest route ?

I know that they are fairly strict about this kind of thing in London but after some recent experiences I am wondering what are the rules here, both Dublin City and rural.

There is a knowledge test.

http://taxiregulation.nationaltransport.ie/

taxiregsite wrote:

SPSV operators should have a good working knowledge of major routes and destinations

The driver should always be able to bring you the shortest possible route. Though there may be new estates etc. were it would be unreasonable to expect a driver to be fully familiar with.
A good Taxi driver shouldn't charge the customer for their mistakes.

arybvtcw0eolkf · 26-11-2011 8:15pm

amdublin wrote: »

If (s)he was white would you have mentioned her colour?

For the love of God why does this always come up when colour is mentioned.

The taxi driver was black, and probably from Africa and a significant number of people complain about a bad service from this sector of the taxi industry - so yes IMO its ok to identify the colour or race of someone.

OP I'm sure this has changed now, but I done the PSV (taxi) test about seven years ago, at the time it was simple enough.

You only needed a 70% pass rate, and the area test only made up 30% of the test - so you could completely fail the area test but pass the relevant questions on the rules & regs and walk out with a licence..

Good and bad drivers, I've had good service from both Irish drivers and black drivers.

I don't get into the taxi driven by a black and expect a poor service, and it annoys the fvck out of me when I'm getting someone a cab and they refuse if its a black or they tell me they don't want a black taxi driver.

Mike 1972 · 26-11-2011 8:15pm

I really dunno why giving directions to a taxi driver should really be a massive issue for anyone other than a visitor to the city

Is it really such a big deal to give directions to a taxi driver when going home for the night ? -hell Id rather do that then leaving the choice of route up to them and ending up passing through Ballybrack en route from Glasnevin to Finglas.

Fox Disgusting Tiddlywinks wrote: »

I've had good service from both Irish drivers and black drivers.

What of drivers who are both ?

Palmy · 26-11-2011 8:31pm

Being an Ex Dublin Taxi driver,I always gave the customer options on what way they wanted me to go,at differant times of the day or night the easy option is not always the best..EG..2am someone gets in outside of Capitol lounge and my car is heading up towards camden st.They want to go to Stillorgen, I would give them 4 options.

1...Go around the green avoiding camden st and the traffic,pop out the top of lession st then out the N11

2...Try my luck in the traffic up camden st and go around and come out at the top of lession st via adeliade rd..then up the N11

3...Up camden street around up passed the Barge Pub and up through goatstown rd..

4...You can tell me the way you want to go,your the customer.

To be honest its not worth the hassle taking someone the wrong way.I just wanted to take them home and move onto the next fare.

The reason they take you the wrong way is because they dont know where they are going.If someone ever got in and i didnt know i told them i didnt.:o

Palmy · 26-11-2011 8:39pm

Just to note,I had an English girl a few years ago who flew in to try out for the x factor.She jumped in and asked if it would be the same fare she payed this morning to come to Croke park.I said how much did you pay the taxi from the airport to croke park,she answered €28,Jesus i said it shouldn't have been more than €12-14 at the most.I did ask if it was a coloured guy which she answered NO he was Irish.So dont point the finger at all the coloured guys.

amdublin · 26-11-2011 8:46pm

Fox Disgusting Tiddlywinks wrote: »

For the love of God why does this always come up when colour is mentioned.

The taxi driver was black, and probably from Africa and a significant number of people complain about a bad service from this sector of the taxi industry - so yes IMO its ok to identify the colour or race of someone.

OP I'm sure this has changed now, but I done the PSV (taxi) test about seven years ago, at the time it was simple enough.

You only needed a 70% pass rate, and the area test only made up 30% of the test - so you could completely fail the area test but pass the relevant questions on the rules & regs and walk out with a licence..

Good and bad drivers, I've had good service from both Irish drivers and black drivers.

I don't get into the taxi driven by a black and expect a poor service, and it annoys the fvck out of me when I'm getting someone a cab and they refuse if its a black or they tell me they don't want a black taxi driver.

For the love of god because the colour of his or her skin does not matter.

wonderfulname · 26-11-2011 8:46pm

Palmy wrote: »

Just to note,I had an English girl a few years ago who flew in to try out for the x factor.She jumped in and asked if it would be the same fare she payed this morning to come to Croke park.I said how much did you pay the taxi from the airport to croke park,she answered €28,Jesus i said it shouldn't have been more than €12-14 at the most.I did ask if it was a coloured guy which she answered NO he was Irish.So dont point the finger at all the coloured guys.

I've actually had more hassle with Irish drivers than black ones, although to be fair it's very rare to have any, and I'll never forget the behaviour I witnessed of some Irish driver towards foreign ones during the strikes about 2? years ago, made me sick to my stomach. Racism seems to be a bigger problem in the industry than any distinguishable sub-group doing a bad job.

wonderfulname · 26-11-2011 8:48pm

amdublin wrote: »

For the love of god because the colour of his or her skin does not matter.

I'd back this up, when you're talking about an individual it's not the same as talking about overall statistics.

Turtyturd · 26-11-2011 8:48pm

You have to know how to drive....otherwise the only job you can get is as a bouncer.

chughes · 26-11-2011 8:49pm

Got a SPSV licence earlier this year. To pass you need to get at least 80% in industry knowledge and the same in area knowledge. If you get less than 80% in one test, you fail overall test.

As I understand it, the pass rates for non-Irish is 50% in both tests.

As the tests are multiple choice computer tests, you would need to study for both. As someone born and bred in Dublin, much of the area test wasn't too bad but there are always some tricky questions. Given the high pass mark, you can't afford to make too many slip ups.

Like most other people, I wouldn't have had a high regard for taxi drivers but this whole licence process has altered my view.

With regard to the non-Irish drivers, I understand that it was a deliberate policy to make the tests as easy as possible for them. I do believe it should be a level playing field for everyone in this regard.

Sky King · 26-11-2011 8:52pm

Surprised the grammar nazis aren't on asking to correct the thread title.

kincsem · 26-11-2011 8:53pm

The taxi was black, obviously.

Some people are so sensitive.

wonderfulname · 26-11-2011 8:55pm

chughes wrote: »

Got a SPSV licence earlier this year. To pass you need to get at least 80% in industry knowledge and the same in area knowledge. If you get less than 80% in one test, you fail overall test.

As I understand it, the pass rates for non-Irish is 50% in both tests...

With regard to the non-Irish drivers, I understand that it was a deliberate policy to make the tests as easy as possible for them. I do believe it should be a level playing field for everyone in this regard.

You are aware that pass rate means the amount of people who pass rather than the % they need to achieve to pass? It's the same test for everyone.

Kiera · 26-11-2011 8:57pm

Fox Disgusting Tiddlywinks wrote: »

For the love of God why does this always come up when colour is mentioned.

The taxi driver was black, and probably from Africa and a significant number of people complain about a bad service from this sector of the taxi industry - so yes IMO its ok to identify the colour or race of someone.

WTF? Your opinion is fúcked up so! The colour of the taxi drivers skin shouldnt come into it at all!

And lol @ probably from Africa. Could he not have been from London...

amdublin · 26-11-2011 9:01pm

Kiera wrote: »

WTF? Your opinion is fúcked up so! The colour of the taxi drivers skin shouldnt come into it at all!

And lol @ probably from Africa. Could he not have been from London...

Or even ireland! No, lol, his skin is black so he's from Africa. What a stupid way to think lol.

Sky King · 26-11-2011 9:19pm

At the risk of being branded a 'racialist' I would say statistically that the vast majority of black taxi drivers in Dublin are African.

amdublin · 26-11-2011 9:22pm

Sky King wrote: »

At the risk of being branded a 'racialist' I would say statistically that the vast majority of black taxi drivers in Dublin are African.

Would you please post these statistics to actually prove this statement.

goingnowhere · 26-11-2011 9:32pm

Got into taxi earlier this year on Thomas Street, inbound direction

Me: Front of Trinity College - wheres that?
Me: College Green - wheres that?

Me: Straight ahead I'll tell you when

That driver shouldn't be on the road

Sky King · 26-11-2011 9:33pm

amdublin wrote: »

Would you please post these statistics to actually prove this statement.

I am just speaking from experience but I am a ledge-bomb at statistics so I am so you'll just have to take my word for it.

Where To · 26-11-2011 9:33pm

Taxi drivers' knowledge levels are very low.

Taximen/women are the most knowledgeable people on the planet.

amdublin · 26-11-2011 9:35pm

goingnowhere wrote: »

Got into taxi earlier this year on Thomas Street, inbound direction

Me: Front of Trinity College - wheres that?
Me: College Green - wheres that?

Me: Straight ahead I'll tell you when

That driver shouldn't be on the road

Completely agree.

And wow! You didn't need to say what colour the driver's skin was. Because it doesn't matter!! Sh1t driver was sh1t. Black or white, doesn't matter, still sh1t.

kerash · 26-11-2011 9:38pm

goingnowhere wrote: »

Got into taxi earlier this year on Thomas Street, inbound direction

Me: Front of Trinity College - wheres that?
Me: College Green - wheres that?

Me: Straight ahead I'll tell you when

That driver shouldn't be on the road

Make an official complaint.

Oranage2 · 26-11-2011 9:39pm

amdublin wrote: »

Or even ireland! No, lol, his skin is black so he's from Africa. What a stupid way to think lol.

A black guy from Liberia did tell me that once your skin is black that you're from Africa.

amdublin · 26-11-2011 9:40pm

Sky King wrote: »

At the risk of being branded a 'racialist' I would say statistically that the vast majority of black taxi drivers in Dublin are African.

Sky King wrote: »

I am just speaking from experience but I am a ledge-bomb at statistics so I am so you'll just have to take my word for it.

Why if you are speaking just from your experience did you originally say statistically

Statitically indicates you have statistics which could change comments that sound really stupid into actual fact.

But seeing as you don't actually have statistics (surprising with your "ledge-bomb" skills) it means that your originally statement still sounds really really stupid.

Diddler1977 · 26-11-2011 9:49pm

Palmy wrote: »

Just to note,I had an English girl a few years ago who flew in to try out for the x factor.She jumped in and asked if it would be the same fare she payed this morning to come to Croke park.I said how much did you pay the taxi from the airport to croke park,she answered €28,Jesus i said it shouldn't have been more than €12-14 at the most.I did ask if it was a coloured guy which she answered NO he was Irish.So dont point the finger at all the coloured guys.

Is your taxi a time machine and did this conversation take place in the 1950's in Mississippi?

Omackeral · 26-11-2011 9:49pm

Here can we stop calling them 'Black Taxi Drivers'.

The politically correct term is Blaxi.

Palmy · 26-11-2011 9:50pm

The pass mark is the same for everyone weather your Black/White or Blue in the Psv test.Its a urban myth that non nationals only need a pass mark of 50%.The problem is that you could do a one day pre psv course for €300 and they pretty much give you all the answers you need to pass.This has now changed and the test is alot harder and the question bank is massive.Cutting those out just studying the questions in order to pass the test.I find it very hard to believe a taxi man not knowing where college green is or the front of trinity.They are either working under a false name ot only licenced in another area.The idea of the new D on the plate shows you the driver is licenced to drive in Dublin.Alot of guys licenced to drive in Meath/Kildare and Wicklow come into Dublin city center to work because the money is better.By law i can take someone to Bray from Dublin but if someone flags you down in Bray looking to go to Dublin city center you cant pick them up unless the are up at the top of Bray round about where the Dublin county starts.You could risk it but if a Wicklow driver catches you,your most likely get a Dig:cool:

Sky King · 26-11-2011 9:54pm

Why if you are speaking just from your experience did you originally say statistically

100% of black taxi drivers I have used in dublin were African. I always chat to them and usually ask where they were from. I have been getting taxis in dublin for years now.

Obviously this does not mean that 100% of black taxi drivers actually are African since I doubt I have used the entire population of black taxi drivers in Dublin but I think my sample is fairly representative and using it as a guide I think it would be acceptable to say that statistically speaking and based on an extensive random sample taken over the course of a few years, the majority of them are Afican.

Statitically indicates you have statistics which could change comments that sound really stupid into actual fact.

Statistics is never actual fact, so you're quite wrong there. Statistics is actually quite the opposite, its about using randomly sampled data to make an informed guess in the absence of fact.

Sunnyisland · 26-11-2011 10:02pm

Just thought I would post that not everything is black & white and the real reason is that this my 3000 post, Thanks.

mconigol · 26-11-2011 10:10pm

amdublin wrote: »

Would you please post these statistics to actually prove this statement.

oh grow up.

It's pretty obvious in a predominantly white country ffs.

Oranage2 · 26-11-2011 10:10pm

Fox Disgusting Tiddlywinks wrote: »

For the love of God why does this always come up when colour is mentioned.

The taxi driver was black, and probably from Africa and a significant number of people complain about a bad service from this sector of the taxi industry - so yes IMO its ok to identify the colour or race of someone.

Have to agree with you Maki and I dont ever agree with you - What's scary is the veiled racism by people that dont think they being racist at all - For some reason calling a person African is some kinda horrible slur, but
what's wrong with being from Africa? I've 2 cousins from Madagasger who hold French passports but they're still very proud to be African.

I know if i assumed a white south african was European well he'd probably laugh and tell a story about how he's originally from Europe -

Same as if you call an english girl african - she'd say well I'm english but my decents are from Eygpt -

I actually know a few English people and they'd be very proud of their African Heritege even though they hold UK passports.

Typical examples below.

Kiera wrote: »

WTF? Your opinion is fúcked up so! The colour of the taxi drivers skin shouldnt come into it at all!

And lol @ probably from Africa. Could he not have been from London...

amdublin wrote: »

Or even ireland! No, lol, his skin is black so he's from Africa. What a stupid way to think lol.

Diddler1977 · 26-11-2011 10:15pm

Oranage2 wrote: »

Have to agree with you Maki and I dont ever agree with you - What's scary is the veiled racism by people that dont think they being racist at all - For some reason calling a person African is some kinda horrible slur, but
what's wrong with being from Africa? I've 2 cousins from Madagasger who hold French passports but they're still very proud to be African.

I know if i assumed a white south african was European well he'd probably laugh and tell a story about how he's originally from Europe -

Same as if you call an english girl african - she'd say well I'm english but my decents are from Eygpt -

I actually know a few English people and they'd be very proud of their African Heritege even though they hold UK passports.

Typical examples below.

It's the automatic assumption that someone who is black is non irish is the problem.....

Kiera · 26-11-2011 10:15pm

Oranage2 wrote: »

Have to agree with you Maki and I dont ever agree with you - What's scary is the veiled racism by people that dont think they being racist at all - For some reason calling a person African is some kinda horrible slur, but
what's wrong with being from Africa? I've 2 cousins from Madagasger who hold French passports but they're still very proud to be African.

I know if i assumed a white south african was European well he'd probably laugh and tell a story about how he's originally from Europe -

Same as if you call an english girl african - she'd say well I'm english but my decents are from Eygpt -

I actually know a few English people and they'd be very proud of their African Heritege even though they hold UK passports.

Typical examples below.

So tell me why its ok to identify the colour or race of someone driving a taxi?

amdublin · 26-11-2011 10:20pm

Sky King wrote: »

100% of black taxi drivers I have used in dublin were African. I always chat to them and usually ask where they were from. I have been getting taxis in dublin for years now.

Obviously this does not mean that 100% of black taxi drivers actually are African since I doubt I have used the entire population of black taxi drivers in Dublin but I think my sample is fairly representative and using it as a guide I think it would be acceptable to say that statistically speaking and based on an extensive random sample taken over the course of a few years, the majority of them are Afican.

Statistics is never actual fact, so you're quite wrong there. Statistics is actually quite the opposite, its about using randomly sampled data to make an informed guess in the absence of fact.

Hmm, no I'd argue what you posted is still just anecedotel evidence.

Apologies I should have said liklihood rather than fact

mconigol wrote: »

oh grow up.

It's pretty obvious in a predominantly white country ffs.

WTF. You grow up and face the fact that because someone's skin is black does not mean they are African.

If your grandparents were black and African and moved to France and their kids (your parents) were then born in France. And they moved to London and you were born in London - UK citizen - because you are black it means you're African?? No it bloody does not. If every black person you meet you automatically think they are African you need to grow up!

Oranage2 wrote: »

Have to agree with you Maki and I dont ever agree with you - What's scary is the veiled racism by people that dont think they being racist at all - For some reason calling a person African is some kinda horrible slur, but
what's wrong with being from Africa? I've 2 cousins from Madagasger who hold French passports but they're still very proud to be African.

I know if i assumed a white south african was European well he'd probably laugh and tell a story about how he's originally from Europe -

Same as if you call an english girl african - she'd say well I'm english but my decents are from Eygpt -

I actually know a few English people and they'd be very proud of their African Heritege even though they hold UK passports.

Typical examples below.

The problem is the context. The context that the taxi driver was black and a bad taxi driver....and from that Maikomi said there were many complaints about black taxi drivers.....which somehow meant it was okay to give out about all black taxi drivers.

Of course there is nothing wrong with describing someone as black or African if they clearly are. But the problem is when you blame a whole group of black taxi drivers because some of them are bad.

I've had bad white taxi drivers in the past but I don't think that all white taxi drivers are bad because of that.

Taxi driver's knowledge levels

Comments