This is what they are dong in Sweden, what do you think is it good or bad ?
Tests for taxi drivers are renewed
2022-10-28
Picture of taxi driver's license.The taxi driver's license gets a new look. For security reasons, the taxi driver's name is removed from the taxi driver's license and instead the driver's code will be enlarged on the taxi driver's license. Photo: The Swedish Transport Agency
On November 1, 2022, new regulations on taxi driver identification will come into force. This means, among other things, new rules that increase the safety of the test situation and updated tests: "Now we get a modern, more relevant and safer knowledge test," says Jenny Bragg, investigator at the Swedish Transport Agency.
Three partial tests become two when the previous map reading test is now completely abolished. The written knowledge test for taxi driver's license will consist of the two remaining sub-tests, which have been supplemented with more questions. The test time has therefore been extended slightly from 40 to 50 minutes for each sub-test.
- The old map reading test is outdated and has played its role. Today, modern technology is available to help with navigation, so the sub-exams have been updated with relevant questions based on that, but also based on new legislation, says Jenny Bragg.
As before, the driver has six months to pass both partial tests.
- For those who have to take the test in its entirety, it will now be, in practical terms, somewhat simpler and a little cheaper, says Jenny Bragg.
Tightened order rules for the exams
In addition, new procedural rules are introduced for the test situation - in a similar way as is done for the other tests carried out by the Swedish Transport Administration Driver Test. For example, that personal belongings must be put away and the mobile phone must be switched off during the test.
- It is always important to prevent cheating. The knowledge test must be fair and the result must reflect the actual knowledge that the person has, says Jenny Bragg.
It will also be possible to take the driving test with an automatic car, previously a car with a gearbox was a requirement.
Larger driver code on the taxi driver's license
Another important news is that the taxi driver's name is removed from the taxi driver's license for security reasons. Instead, the driver's code – a six-digit individual code that all taxi drivers are assigned by the Swedish Transport Agency – will be enlarged on the taxi driver's license. The driver code will be visible and, as before, is included on the taxi receipt, so that the taxi driver can be identified in case of complaints, for example.