Item 7 Appendix 2 - Knowledge Test
West Dunbartonshire Council · 17 April 2024
Back to Licensing Committee — 17 April 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Do you agree or disagree that the use of satellite navigation (sat nav) by Taxi and Private Hire Car Drivers has replaced the need for the Knowledge Test for potenial applicants? Please provide reasons for your answer Strongly disagree Satnav systems don't always recognise newer housing estates or buildings, and may drop out due to lack of WiFi/signal Disagree Think local knowledge still beneficial Disagree Access to a signal would need to be guaranteed Strongly disagree its also beneficial to use sat nav even for those who know the area very well on road closures/ accident/road work/traffic occasions. Strongly disagree It helps but knowledge outwith this is important. Strongly agree Sat nav/ mobile phones can be updated every year Strongly disagree As someone who has lived all my life in Alexandria and driven for over 30 years there is no substitute for local knowledge and there are many local areas where you need to ask questions of customers to find out where they are travelling to. Strongly disagree You so not use sat nav for short local.journeys , you should have local knowlesge Strongly agree It's much easier to navigate now Disagree Satnav is not infallible. Strongly disagree Because you’re driver should know instantly what route to go when you give them an address what if he inputs the wrong address Disagree For the same reasons as above Disagree You still need to know the area Strongly agree It’s a distraction and they don’t always work Strongly agree Street knowledge Strongly agree Provide an alternative to our street knowledge Strongly disagree Sat nav is not always 100% and can at times not find certain areas also the constant use of sat navigation to find your way around can and will cause delays as it doesn't always take you the fastest route Strongly disagree Any congestion/accidents driver with local knowledge old be able to operate a lot more efficient providing a more confident journey Strongly agree At least a reasonable knowledge should be known, Sat Navs do not always take shortest routes. Strongly agree Too many Taxi Drivers don't have enough knowledge of their own local area and I feel this is wrong Strongly disagree In xasea of disruption a sriver with knowledge will know the shortest and safest route Strongly disagree Technology isn't everything and doesn't always recognise post codes Strongly disagree Sat navs don't gibe the shortest route most of the time, if the knowledge test is passed then the applicant will be able to work out a shorter route Strongly disagree Sat Nav is not always accurate especially in rural areas eg Gartocharn, Drymen, Luss.Also new build housing developments Strongly disagree Local knowledge provides confidence and safety Disagree It’s not a good look to be using sat nav to look for a local place it may cost the customer in time & money Disagree The sat navigation systems are not always correct and local knowledge will always be correct as new housing estates do not even register on satnav for months /years. Strongly agree 100% all drivers use sat nav’s - shows road closures , shortest route etc Strongly agree The map takes your right to the job this helps when working late at night as you can’t see street numbers the sat nav is massive help Agree When needed it's available Strongly agree Sat bavs take you to the correct destination Strongly agree I personally have used the sat-nav on multiple occasions which has resulted in the customers fare being slightly less than they usually pay Strongly disagree Sometimes you loose signal of your satnav as you loose gps signal. They haven’t replaced drivers “knowledge” as we know the shortest distance as a satnav will slow aye take you the quickest route which is longer sometimes which makes fare more expensive Strongly agree Some of the map apps have new build addresses before postcode works Strongly agree Sat nav put address in and it takes you there Strongly disagree Sat nav route not always cheapest Agree All PDA have sat navs and easy to use Strongly disagree Sat nav’s are a useful ,but drivers shouldn’t be dependant on them to do there job
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Strongly agree We all have access to Google maps and other similar type apps. Strongly disagree Sat navs can get confused with diversion Strongly disagree There could be road closures which the sat nav would not recognise until road closures have be meet Strongly disagree Should have local knowledge of the area you are working Strongly disagree Local knowledge critical rural area hires. Agree The Knowledge test is fairly redundant nowadays due to mapping apps. Strongly disagree There are customers that change journeys on the route to destination, does this mean customers will be happy for drivers to pull over and update there say nav costing more money. As they do not know the general area!! Strongly disagree Satnavs are not updated often enough. New housing estates would be unknown. Strongly disagree Sat navs are not accurate on all routes depending on time of travel Disagree local knowledge is essenal only time sat nav should be used if leaving your area Strongly disagree As I've already mentioned local knowledge is far superior to entering a random postcode Strongly disagree Mistake can be made very easy unless you have the appropriate knowledge of the area and sat navigation dose take the shortest route Strongly disagree Standards and customer service will slip if we allow any Tom, Dick or Harry to drive in Clydebank. We have a good standard within the trade and want to maintain this image Strongly disagree Sat navs or similar are only as good as the people using them, if there's no area knowledge then it's all too easy to make mistakes, normally these are costly and hits passenger in the pocket as the drives take no responsibility for their errors Strongly disagree There is to much margin for human error with the use of satellite navigation systems , a good geographic knowledge is paramount Strongly agree The generation has changed and so much more technology is taking over any knowledge needed Strongly disagree If a road is suddenly closed local knowledge allows the driver to take an alternate route. Sat navs don't update in real time, particularly on non trunk routes. Strongly agree The latest platforms are extremely accurate whilst accounting for shortest routes. Disagree Think standard of knowledge is key to a driver, can’t always depend on satnav Agree useful tool as can provide the most direct route Strongly disagree They don’t cover diversions or closed roads Strongly disagree Sat navs can’t replace a knowledgeable experienced taxi driver sat navs can disadvantage the public Strongly disagree Knowledge is key in any work place , the use of digital devices for me doesn’t help in learning and having a skill set for the job if digital devices crash then your knowledge should automatically come to the fore Agree Sat nav doesn't always provide the route the customer would like to go. Strongly disagree I believe that the taxi driver should have sound knowledge of the area to provide the best customer service without the need for sat nav Strongly disagree Local knowledge is paramount this sat nav takes you long ways all the time I have examples and customer's are complaining Strongly disagree Using sat nav is danderous when moving and are not always accirate as in selecting the shortest route as required when operating under a WDC set meter Strongly disagree Think every driver should know there local area. Sat nav are not always reliable. Strongly disagree Because they don’t always give shortest routes costing the customer more money Strongly disagree Sat nav not always cheapest Strongly disagree Electronic devices and apps should only be used as a back up as they do not always plot the shortest route. Strongly disagree Hate being in a cab where the driver is constantly messing with his phone or stereo, happens all too often as it is Strongly disagree Sat nav doesn’t always take shortest route Strongly agree Just is Strongly disagree A sat nav is only as good as the person inputting information and if its updated. Local landmarks and driver knowledge should be important to give public confidence and provide a safe journey experience Strongly disagree Satnavs are not always correct. Agree I agree that the knowledge test should stay in place as sat/nav can be a hazard if no Internet connection is not a available this would be for disabled people & person with hard of hearing it must & the questions should be harder Clydebank is expanding Strongly disagree it will bring in people that will ruin a dying trade Strongly disagree Local knowledge of ones lic area should be a prerequisite for a lic holder. Using a sat Nev whist driving is ,like mobile phones, is an offence under Road Traffic Act Strongly disagree Health and safety
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Strongly disagree Say nav does not always work ie diversion to the route or when no signal Strongly disagree Sav nav don't allow for professional local knowledge , ie sends you on the quickest route not the shortest⁰ Strongly disagree Dangerous as drivers could be typing into satnav while they are driving Disagree I think all drivers know their own areas and only use sat nav sometimes when travelling outside west dunbartonshire Strongly disagree I disagree with this based on that sat navs don't always take the shortest routs and if there's any hold ups or local road closures then local knowledge will always help in these situations, drivers need to concentrate on job in hand an not watch a satnav It’s good to know that you have some knowledge of the area Strongly disagree The driver needs to have a broad spectrum of the area they are driving in! Strongly disagree Knowledge of the area badge holders work is essential knowledge Disagree When the hire gets in they do expect the driver too no where they are going except when it’s out the area Strongly disagree Depending on how the sat nav is set up it does not always take the shortest route i.e strathclyde road to tullichewan it will route right round the bypass whereas through the renton is much cheaper .knowledge of the area always beats a satnav handsdown. Disagree Handy to have but local knowledge is better Strongly agree Previous answer. Too reliant and do not have local knowledge. E.g traffic congestion use alternative route Strongly disagree You should know the Area you operate in surely! Strongly agree Technology has taken over route planning and new drivers will have local knowledge within a week of starting taxiing. Strongly agree Satnav does not always take you the shortest route! Agree Everything to an extent is now done on apps Disagree The sat nav increases the risk of accidents, drivers are tempted to use them while the vehicle is in motion Disagree Satalite signal not 100% reliable Disagree I live in old kilpatrick and dropping our son and daughter in law off at dumbarton road just before the free lands roundabout the the taxi done a u turn to go up mount blow road when 2mins straight on we’re home that’s following his sat nav Neutral If it's Local knowledge then the driver should know quickest route Neutral For some homes particular in bonhill Alexandria, Sat nav can only take you close to the homes but not at their doors and also should customers be in the taxi they are happy to help any drivers out who are unfamiliar with their exact address. Strongly disagree They don’t watch the road and spend too much time watching the sat nav Neutral Sat nav is great for monitoring traffic however there are issues with post codes only locals will know of. Knowledge of the local area especially for tourism is something a sat nav can never replace Strongly agree U would have to have a good no about the area u at working Strongly disagree Sat nav should be a back up only, severs relying on this would be giving there full attention too the road Strongly disagree Local knowledge is better Disagree As a driver the use of these devices while driving are illegal so change of destination or diversions could create temptation to use said devices while driving Strongly disagree It's illegal to operate electronic devices while driving Strongly disagree We still need to know the shortest routes and satnavs only show the straitest way from a to b Strongly disagree This reduces credibility Agree Takes you shortest route ie held up in traffic Strongly disagree satnav does not always take you the shortest route like a taxi should! Strongly disagree taxi drivers should not have to use a satnav to to work in the area they operate in! Strongly disagree Customers expect Taxi drivers to have knowledge of their area without having to check on maps. Disagree The potential for confusion over directions to similar sounding roads is significant if satnavs are the sole source of driver information. Agree Sat nav almost instantly re-route should there be a road closure or accident on your journey and alert you of any congestion. Disagree Local knowledge is still needed Disagree Modern technology is good when it works certain sat navs etc still do not take you to the exact location so local knowledge is still better than any electronic device Neutral Good to know places of interest for tourists etc. Strongly disagree The drivers who use sat nav’s always end up going the long way and the taxi is more expensive than normal
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Disagree Local drivers know the areas and mostly use sat nav for more accurate destination IE numbers on front doors. The majority of local taxi drivers don't need to use sat navs as they have grew up in the area and know where they're going. Strongly disagree Answered in previous question Strongly agree There is always new roads being built, and Sat nav updates regularly Strongly agree Satnavs quite often lose their signal, they often take you longer routes Disagree The apps for sat nav aren’t completely accurate so a general knowledge on the area is advantageous Neutral I use sat nav myself for areas I don’t know out with Clydebank but they also don’t give you the most accurate route to benefit the customers charge. Strongly disagree not everyone knows the post code or business address/exact house they are going to Strongly disagree Sat nav doesn't always show the shortest route, which will could cost the customer a lot more money Strongly agree Sat nav is educational to drivers until they no longer need it Neutral A sat nav is a useful tool but good local knowledge is still needed Neutral Sat nav is good to let you know what road closures there are and also good to use if you are going outwith your local taxi area Strongly disagree Topographical knowledge is important Strongly disagree Sat navs are not always reliable Neutral Yes they are needed if going outwith your area Neutral What happens when navigation goes down u need to have some idea of ur route Strongly disagree Sat nav shows in most cases the fastest route and not the cheapest route that we have to take unless a customer specifically requests otherwise. Sat nav also takes your attention away from the road and the customer Neutral Don't have a opinion Disagree I woul'd say it has lessened the need, but not entirely 'replaced'. Strongly agree I have been driving a taxi for the last 4 months and have used a sat nav for 99% of my hires with no issues. This also helps with difficult areas such as Bonhill where all drivers are handed maps to try and work out house numbers etc. Strongly disagree Sat navs aren't 100% accurate Strongly disagree Sat nav not always accurate at peak times to avoid traffic congestion or road works Strongly disagree Wrong destinations happen some female travel solely can be intimidating when driver doesn’t know atea Disagree They're local and know the area and the laws. Agree i agree sat nav helps when outside dunbartonshire hires i.e glasgow and further.. Disagree Always feels safer if you know your driver is in control and not solely dependent on apps and navigation devices Disagree Sat navs make it easier for drivers renewal ect Agree Sat nav's are incredibly useful, unfortunately the test is outdated and does not cover many of the new developments that have been built in West Dunbartonshire, have a sat nav covers these gaps. Agree We use the Sat nav constantly as it is impossible to remember every route and every street name Strongly disagree Common knowledge is very important than relying on technology Strongly agree It's so much better and easier Strongly disagree Sat nav not always accurate for the destination Strongly agree Being involved in the Taxi trade more or less since 1974 Satellite navigation is now built in their PDA's so their is no need to read street maps anymore Strongly agree Some drivers rely on sat nav outwith their area. Why can’t they be used within their area until they learn on the job. Since 2017 DVSA have incorporated it into their test. Encourage more drivers to apply, more taxis on the road, provide more employment Please note that responses where there is no reason provided have been deleted from this appendix, however, the response still counted.