Standard taxi tests

A standard taxi test can be provided by:

Red One Ltd 

This assessment and test course is 2 hours in duration comprising one hour of driver development training followed by one hour practical test. Red One Ltd has approved driver trainers throughout Devon, including North Devon and are able to offer the option of conducting the tests in North Devon or in Exeter. 

For more information, visit the Red One website or phone 01392 444773 

Diamond Advanced Motorists Ltd 

This Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency approved taxi driving test lasts 45 minutes and covers a variety of roads and where possible motorways, rural roads and an emergency stop exercise. You will be expected to do at least 2 manoeuvres involving reversing and demonstrate eco-safe driving. A pass will be awarded if you achieve no serious or dangerous faults and you do not exceed 9 driver faults. 

For more information visit the Diamond Advanced Motorists website  or phone 0208 686 8010 

Other accepted tests

For those that have driven public carrying vehicles (buses/coaches), drivers may already be in possession of a pass certificate for the public carrying vehicles test, which is also acceptable to the council.

Qualifications to complete

BTEC Level 2 Certificate in the Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver (previously named the BTEC Intermediate Award in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire). 

This is currently provided by People People Development. 

Tel: 0330 223 1063; 

Email: hello@peoplepeopledevelopment.co.uk; 

Web: www.peoplepeopledevelopment.co.uk 

OR 

The Edexcel Level 2 NVQ in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving (Community, Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicles and Chauffeurs) 

OR

The Edexcel Level 2 NVQ in Passenger Carrying Vehicle Driving. 

The council may accept an equivalent or higher qualification as approved by the authority. Please contact us should you wish to enquire in respect of any alternative qualification.