Council planning on Re-introducing the knowledge test and English exams to crackdown on excessive ou

Greater Manchester's Trafford council chiefs are considering introducing an English language test for all taxi and private hire applicants. The plans are focused on clamping down on the amount of out-of-town applicants that perceive Trafford as an easy route to obtaining a licence. In 2015 Trafford council scrapped the topical knowledge test and the range of acceptable qualifications to prove English skills was also extended. The changes were made to speed up the licensing process, but its now causing problems with the amount of people living outside of the area applying. The current cost of a three-year licence is £432 which includes the price of a training course and DBS check. An increased fee could also be put in place by the council. According to a report in the Manchester Evening News, members of the council’s public protection sub-committee will consider the new proposals on Thursday. Chairman of the Trafford Taxi Drivers Association, Paul Kinsey, welcomes the new plans, saying the council should never have scrapped the local knowledge test in the first place. The MEN also reported that there are plans to provide a dual badge for both Hackney carriage and private hire drivers. No further details have been released.