Press release

Taxi testing in King’s Lynn

King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council area are introducing DSA driving assessments from September 2011 for would-be taxi drivers.

The assessments will be carried out by specially trained Driving Standards Agency (DSA) examiners at the King’s Lynn driving test centre.

Taxi licences are granted by local councils who decide whether or not to introduce a special assessment before they issue the licence. Over 160 councils throughout Great Britain have taken DSA’s taxi assessment on board as a road safety initiative.

King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council is the latest to join the list of those councils who have introduced the scheme either for new taxi licence applicants or to quality control current taxi drivers.

DSA’s Central Operations Change Manager Phil Coop said:

We are delighted that King’s Lynn has decided to introduce this assessment. Driving a taxi carries a great deal of responsibility.

Specifically trained driving examiners assess the ability of applicants to drive safely and professionally in a ‘real’ environment. The test includes manoeuvres designed specifically with the operational taxi driver in mind and is set at a higher standard than the practical test for learner drivers.

The assessment ensures the competence of the applicant to drive passengers in safety and comfort. Those who are successful receive a certificate of competence.

Published 5 September 2011