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Taxi Driver Assessment

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Taxi-2

To become a taxi (or private hire) driver most local authorities require you to take a Taxi Driver Assessment.

What is the taxi driver assessment?

The assessment costs £80 and lasts around 45 minutes. It includes:

  • an eyesight test
  • a vehicle check
  • driving on different types of roads
  • parking and taxi-style manoeuvres
  • Highway Code questions
  • ‘cabology’ questions about the responsibilities of being a taxi driver

The driving part of the assessment checks that you can start and stop smoothly, and can use the gears, brakes, steering, signalling and mirrors correctly.

We ask you to stop and start at the side of the road safely, and turn round in the road, as if you were driving a taxi.

Taxi Assessments are undertaken in English (interpreters are not allowed).

For more detail about the vehicle and what to expect during the assessment, please read carefully Taxi Assessment Candidate Information.

Are you ready for the assessment?

Many people fail the assessment because it’s been a long time since they passed their driving test.

If this could be you, and you don’t want to waste money, we recommend doing our taxi driver pre-assessment training first.

Is your car ready?

Your car must be taxed, insured and have an MOT if it needs one. It must have legal tyres, no warning lights showing, clean windows and mirrors, and be completely legal and roadworthy.

For more detail about the vehicle check, see Taxi driver assessment candidate information Taxi Assessment Candidate Information.

Where do the assessments take place?

You may complete an assessment at ANY of the venues below to meet requirements for all Greater Manchester council areas:

  • Bolton
    Bolton Arena, Arena Approach, Horwich, BL6 6LB

  • Bury
    Burger King (Bury), Bridge Hall Lane, Bury, BL9 7PJ

  • Manchester
    McDonald’s (Harpurhey), Walter Street, Harpurhey, M9 4DH

  • Oldham
    KFC (Failsworth), Sisson Street, Failsworth, M35 0FF

  • Rochdale
    McDonald’s (Rochdale), Kingsway Retail Park, Rochdale, OL16 5AF

  • Salford
    McDonald’s (Broughton), Bury New Road, Salford, M7 2YN

  • Stockport
    Asda (Reddish), Manchester Road, Stockport, SK4 1TN

  • Tameside
    McDonald's (Denton), Crown Point Shopping Park, Denton, M34 3JP

  • Trafford
    Carrington Business Park, Manchester Road, Carrington, M31 4DD

  • Wigan
    McDonald’s (Wigan), Gower Street, Wigan, WN5 9AD

Assessments at each venue are subject to availabilty.

You’ll need:

  • your photocard driving licence, or a paper licence with separate photo identification.

If you’re late, or don’t have the right documents, you won’t be able to take the assessment and will lose the fee.

If you pass the assessment, you’ll get a certificate. You need this when you apply for your taxi driver licence. If you fail, we’ll tell you where you went wrong. Consider taxi driver pre-assessment training before trying again.

To book your course you will need:

  1. Your driving licence number. If you have lost your licence, apply for a new licence.

  2. To pay £80 with one of these cards: VISA, MASTERCARD, MAESTRO

  3. To be aware of our terms and conditions.

Booking your assessment:

You can book your assessment by phone or online. It costs £80.

  • Book by phone

Phone 0300 123 1518, 8.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).
Have your driving licence and debit or credit card with you.

  • Book online
Book your assessment