Taxi drivers look set to face a Colchester version of The Knowledge, the gruelling exam faced by London cabbies.
March of technology - driver Derek Hannah, of Hawaii 5-0, with the new routefinder in his taxi. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (47980-3)
Every applicant for a hackney carriage or private hire licence will have to pass the new test, under plans due to go before councillors.
A tough new penalty points system proposed by officials could also see punishments meted out for offences like overcharging and taking unnecessarily long routes.
Cab firms and members of the Hackney Carriage Association will be consulted on both schemes if Colchester Council's licensing committee approves the proposals on Wednesday.
The knowledge test plan comes after the council witnessed an increase in complaints about drivers who could not find a destination or did not know the quickest way there.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Thursday, February 23, 2006
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article