MORE than 100 taxi drivers have protested about a new test of their local knowledge being introduced in Notts.

From July, Gedling Borough Council wants every driver in the borough to take a knowledge test, whether they’re applying for a licence or have one.

Existing drivers from as far away as Derby, Luton and Birmingham, who are registered in Gedling, demonstrated outside the Civic Centre in Arnold.

“Not all the taxi drivers will pass that test,” said Amjid Ali, 40, of Derby. “It’s like being asked to take your driving test again. It’s not fair.”

The drivers insist they are not against the knowledge test being introduced for new applicants but said people who rely on their taxi income will suffer.

If they fail the £35 test, they won’t be able to drive their cabs in Gedling or elsewhere. “It’s not the price of the test, it’s the principle,” said Khalid Nadeem, 46, of Aspley. “We’ve already paid to meet all their other criteria – like cars less than five years old, a full service history and doing less than 12,000 miles a year.

“When the DVLA brought in the theory test they didn’t ask drivers with licences to take it as well.”

“Some drivers have £40,000 cars on finance,” added Mr Ali. “If we have to stop working for a week or a month then how do we pay the instalments for the cars, for mortgages or feed our kids?

“Other councils have brought in the test but only for new drivers. I can see 75 per cent of the drivers not passing and having to sign on the dole instead.”

Since a change in the law in 2010, taxi drivers can obtain their licences in any authority area – not necessarily the one they ply for trade in.

To combat this, most councils introduced knowledge tests.

The fact that Gedling hasn’t done this until now is believed to have been the reason for a sharp increase in applications. In 2010-11 there were a 496 licenced taxi drivers in the area – and by 2013-14 this had more than doubled to 1,139.

The council has now decided to introduce the knowledge test because of concerns that too many taxi drivers from outside the borough saw them as an easy place to get a licence.

“It’s all about standards,” said deputy council leader Michael Payne. “We are not willing to be a badge of convenience. Many drivers here are backing the knowledge test and we are proud of the drivers who work in the borough that are passionate about their community and serving the people here.

“I think it’s perfectly reasonable to expect drivers who have a badge in Gedling to know Gedling and not rely on sat navs.”

Councillor Payne, along with chairman of the environment and licensing committee, Councillor Marje Paling, took the test and passed.

“I’m not a taxi driver but I have a certificate to prove that I passed. That’s from having a local knowledge and understanding the highway code.

“Taxis are an important part of the local economy and the people of Gedling deserve drivers that know their area – not people who come here and take up officers’ time to go and work full-time in Derby.

“And the drivers should be proud to have the qualification – it shows that they are good at what they do.”

Former Transport Minister Steven Norris, after using Uber from Terminal 5 to Central London, recently tweeted that “apps are the future”. Norris has now firmly nailed his colours to the mast and jumped aboard the minicabit boat.

Following its recent success to win a £75,000 investment on Dragons’ Den, minicabit announced that Steven Norris is to join them as Advisor to the Board.

(Gonna need a bit more than 75 grand then)

Norris was previously a Minister of Transport, Board Member of Transport for London, Mayor of London candidate and has also held a number of top executive roles across the UK transport sector.

Currently Norris is President of ITS (UK), the public/private sector body, that promotes developments in transport technology.

Regarding his role at minicabit, he said :

“As we move deeper into the digital age, the UK private hire sector still remains one of the last transport modes to be bookable online. At the same time, the app and web market for booking cabs is pretty fragmented, with some options if you’re in central London but little else for the rest of the UK”.

In the past allegedly, the minicab app circumnavigated the need for a PH licence by claiming not to be a minicab operator. They operate as a third party middleman, similar to a price comparison website, with an app.

The company have a history of disregarding the laws and legislation when it comes to the use of the words Taxi and Cab in their promotional material.

Glasgow Taxis Ltd is gearing up for the 2014 Commonwealth Games with the introduction of credit and debit card payment machines in vehicles.

The black taxi company, the largest in the UK outside London, will be introducing the new facility across its cabs over the new few months.

It is expected to be a success with visitors to the city and with those using Glasgow’s nightlife pubs and clubs, especially on the way home at the end of a night out.

Stephen Flynn, the company’s vice-chairman, said: “This is something many of our customers have been asking for and we are delighted to be able to provide a service that provides even more convenience for them.

“The option to pay by card is being introduced today and will be brought in across all Glasgow Taxis Ltd vehicles in the months ahead.

“It is a further demon-­stration of our investment in technology and customer service and very timely with the many major events coming to the city in 2014.

“We are proud to serve the people of Glasgow as well as the massive volumes of people who visit the city on a daily basis. We trust this new addition will be a welcome option for both.”

The news has been wel­comed by the city’s political and business leaders.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council and chairman of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “We are about to welcome the biggest influx of visitors our city has ever seen, as we prepare to host a greater number of international events, including the Commonwealth Games.

“Our taxi drivers are prized as Glasgow’s ambassadors and will offer many of our visitors with their first and last impressions of the city.

“It is greatly welcomed that Glasgow Taxis is investing in credit and debit card payment machines in vehicles ahead of the Games.

“The new system will allow for increased ease and convenience for visitors and locals alike, whilst travelling around the city.”

Stuart Patrick, the chief executive of Glasgow Chamber Of Commerce, said: “This is great news from our city’s taxi provider and it will be tremendously popular with customers.

“Taxis are a vital cog in Glasgow’s overall transport infrastructure, particularly for the night-time economy. so initiatives such as this are welcome.

“I look forward to being able to use my card next time I pick up a cab.”