Taxi & PHV Authority Hub
Your complete 2026 roadmap to UK Licensing, Assessment Mastery, and Professional Driving Standards.
What is the Taxi Assessment?
UK local authorities require all new taxi and private hire drivers to pass an "Advanced Driving" evaluation. This is not a learner test; it is an assessment of your ability to transport the public safely, comfortably, and professionally.
Why is it needed? Councils have a statutory duty to ensure all drivers are "Fit and Proper." Passing this exam proves you have the vehicle control, road awareness, and passenger care skills required for high-frequency urban driving.
Private Hire vs Hackney Carriage
Private Hire (PHV)
Vehicles used for pre-booked journeys only (Uber, FreeNow, local minicabs). Cannot be hailed in the street.
- Platform Examples Uber, Bolt, local dispatch
- Vehicle Type Standard Saloon / MPV
- Licence Colour Usually Yellow or White
- Seating 4-8 Passengers
- Test Type Standard Taxi Assessment
Hackney Carriage
Traditional "Black Cabs" or wheelchair-accessible vans permitted to use taxi ranks and take street hails.
- Rank Use Full access to all ranks
- Wheelchair Access Mandatory (WAV)
- Licence Colour Usually Yellow or Pink
- Meter Calendar Controlled
- Test Type Enhanced + Wheelchair Test
Inside the Assessment
The exam is carried out by council-approved providers (e.g. Blue Lamp Trust, Diamond, IAM).
Integrity & Safety
Starts with a **20-metre eyesight check**. You then answer 2-5 "Cabology" questions regarding taxi law and vehicle maintenance (show me/tell me).
Advanced Driving
A 45-minute drive using **IPSGA** (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration). You must demonstrate safe stops, U-turns, and urban navigation.
Wheelchair Mastery
Mandatory for Hackney drivers. You must correctly deploy ramps, secure a wheelchair using **4-point tethers**, and apply passenger seatbelts.
The Strict Fault Limit
To pass, you must record **no more than 9 minor faults**. A single serious or dangerous fault results in an immediate fail. Your driving must be smoother than a standard learner's.
Common Assessment Questions
A: Always stop at a safe, legal, and convenient place. Advise passengers to exit on the kerbside and check for cyclists or pedestrians before opening doors.
A: The national legal limit is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. However, we recommend a minimum of 3mm for professional safety.
A: You must always pull a wheelchair **backwards** when going down a kerb or step to maintain the occupant's balance and prevent them from falling forward.
A: Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration. It is the advanced system used by emergency services and professional drivers to plan all hazards.