Taxi drivers say exam may drive old members out

TAXI drivers have warned older members could be pushed out of the industry if they are forced to sit a tough new exam system announced by the Commission for Taxi Regulation.

Taxi representative groups also claim the introduction of the new Driver Skills Development Programme by the Taxi Regulator, Kathleen Doyle, will not deter applicants from entering an already overcrowded industry. They described the mandatory test as “a missed opportunity” because it failed to provide for a practical examination of new entrants.

Some taxi organisations, who have expressed concern about the high rate of foreign taxi drivers with poor local knowledge obtaining licences, said the new test would not address this issue.