Obtaining a Badge to Drive a PSV Taxi or Cab

There are several steps involved in the route to gaining a badge to drive a public service vehicle. The following is an introduction to what is required and in the order that each task should be undertaken. You must be the holder of a full domestic driving licence of category B to be a taxi/cab driver.

Step 1

You must fully complete the Application To Drive A Public Service Vehicle (form PSV1), available from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Department and submit it to the enquiry desk at Police Headquarters with the appropriate fee. A check will then be conducted to ascertain if you have any criminal convictions, including motoring offences. The results of the check will be forwarded to ourselves. (This may take several weeks).

Step 2

On receipt of your Police Check result we will contact you to advise you of the status of your application. If we have not already asked you to attend the Department for a formal interview, you will be asked to do so at this stage. The interview is to explain the test requirements, advise you on what will be expected of you as a public service vehicle driver and answer any queries you may have.

Step 3

You may now book the practical driving test. Driving test bookings must be made in person at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Department and you must produce your driving licence along with the appropriate fee. You will then be given a date to sit the practical driving test. Although not essential, it may be of benefit to undergo some formal driving instruction with an approved driving instructor, prior to sitting the practical driving test. This will help to familiarise you with the test requirements and iron out any bad habits you may have acquired.

Step 4

The Practical Driving Test.

Prior to you going out on the road, the examiner will require you to present your driving licence and a certificate of insurance or cover note entitling you to drive the vehicle. The insurance policy or schedule or photocopies of the certificate are not acceptable and you will not be permitted to take the test if any of these are presented. You must sit the test in a four-door, manual transmission saloon of a similar size to a typical cab. During the test you will be required to demonstrate to the examiner a standard of driving expected of a professional driver, as though you had a vehicle fully laden with passengers. The test includes the requirement to perform a hill-start, reversing manoeuvres and a drive on a route selected by the examiner. If at the end of the test the examiner does not feel you have attained the required standard, you will have to sit the test again. If the examiner feels you have achieved the required standard, you can then proceed to step 5.

Step 5

The Island Knowledge.

This stage of the process is designed to ensure that you have sufficient knowledge to drive a vehicle of this category in the appropriate areas of the island and that you know the location of places pertinent to your industry. This part of the test is divided into two main sections. Section one is an oral section and section two is a written section.

Section one. This is subdivided into 16 areas:

i)	Housing estates	ix)	Night clubs and social clubs
ii)	Hotels	x)	Town streets
iii)	Guesthouses	xi)	Campsites, recreation and sports areas
iv)	Nursing homes	xii)	Places of interest
v)	Hospitals	xiii)	Crossroads, junctions and districts
vi)	Schools	xiv)	Parish halls
vii)	Public houses	xv)	Churches
viii)	Restaurants	xvi)	Journeys
Section two.
A multiple choice questionnaire, covering aspects of the law pertaining to public service vehicles, aspects of vehicle maintenance that a driver would be expected to be aware of, the highway code and general public service vehicle matters.

The examiner will expect a response which will assure him that you are familiar with the location of the area, building, etc. If the examiner is not entirely satisfied with your answer, he/she may ask you to give further details, such as landmarks, location relative to other buildings, etc. Ideally, when questioned you should be able to picture the building in your mind's eye.

The time allowed for the full knowledge test is two hours. If at the end of the test you have failed to reach the required standard in all areas, you will be required to re-sit the test, but only those areas in which you were deficient. However, the full test fee will apply each time, irrespective of the number of areas to be completed.

In the appendix to the booklet (Obtaining a Badge to Drive a Public Service Vehicle Taxi/Cab) which is available free of charge from the Driver Vehicle Standards Department, you will find the listings of all the questions you may be asked in section one. You will be asked a randomly selected sample from each area and be expected to clearly explain to the examiner the location. The exception to this is the journeys sub-section.

In the journeys sub-section you will be required to explain to the examiner the shortest practical route (this may not be the quickest) between the locations given. For the most part these will not include green lanes or narrow country lanes for obvious reasons. You should be aware of the names of the roads on your suggested route. In some instances there is more than one possible route, you will only be expected to explain one. Examiners may also reverse the direction of the listed routes, eg. Oak Tree Gardens to Fort Regent, instead of Fort Regent to Oak Tree Gardens.

Step 6

When you have successfully completed the Island Knowledge and on payment of the appropriate fee, you will be issued with a badge to drive a public service vehicle for the category in which you have applied.

You may also wish to apply for inclusion on the private hire plate waiting list. Please request a form for this when you receive your badge.

As a public service vehicle driver you will be expected to abide by the Code of Conduct and act in a professional manner at all times.
 
You will probably be the first Jersey resident visitors meet in the Island. Please ensure that their first impression is a good one.