The NTA wants to know if people think taxi drivers should pass an English-language test

IRELAND’S TRANSPORT REGULATOR wants to know if taxi drivers should pass an English-language test before being licensed to take passengers.

The question is one of several the National Transport Authority has put to the public in a new questionnaire on the qualifications needed to drive the small public-service vehicles (SPSVs).

Another possibility listed in the 17-point document is a requirement that taxi drivers adhere to a dress code. The questions include:

• Does knowledge of geographic location need to be tested?
• Should there be a module on professional customer service?
• Is there a need for continuous professional development (CPD) as part of any test?

The questionnaire is live for public submissions until Wednesday 30 November.

It’s understood that the NTA is undertaking the review of taxi licensing due to a significant fall in taxi driver numbers since the introduction of a SPSV “knowledge test” as part of the taxi application process in 2009.

In a statement, the NTA said it is conducting the review in order to assess whether or not the testing that has been in place for the past seven years “appropriately reflects today’s needs”.

That test is designed to examine an applicant’s geographical knowledge of whichever county in which the application is being made.

Currently the test takes place at five centres around the country. It lasts an hour and 45 minutes and consists of 90 questions.

A pass rate of 80% is required in order for an applicant to receive his or her taxi licence.

Written by Cianan Brennan and posted on TheJournal.ie