Certificate in Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver SCQF level 5

The course is designed to help new or existing drivers in their career by supporting, developing and enhancing both their knowledge and performance while gaining an industry relevant qualification.

This Certificate provides learners with the knowledge and skills to support their professional development as a taxi or private hire driver – helping them to meet and adapt to the challenges they face.

The Certificate in Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver at SCQF level 5 develops essential knowledge in:

  • health and safety in the taxi work environment
  • vehicle maintenance and safety inspections
  • routes and fares
  • safely transporting passengers, luggage and parcels
  • providing a professional customer service
  • an understanding of relevant licensing regulations that relate to the operation of taxi and private hire operations in Scotland

Learners will also develop the skills necessary to support passengers who require mobility assistance or use of a wheelchair.

Who Should Attend?
Any current or aspiring taxi or private hire drivers who wish to apply for or currently hold a licence issued by a local authority in Scotland.

Course Prerequisites

  • A good understanding of the English Language both written and spoken.
  • Candidates will be over the age of 18
  • have had their driving licence for a minimum of 1 year.

Local licensing conditions may apply, therefore learners are advised to consider checking with their
local authority prior to booking a space on this course.

Additional Course Requirements

Learners are required to bring along the following on every day of training:
  • Photographic ID
  • Proof of address
  • National Insurance Number
    • If applicable, your taxi badge number

Course Structure

Candidates must attend an Induction prior to attending the Certificate Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver SCQF level 5 course.

The following 9 units, which are delivered over 5-days are required to achieve a pass for the qualification:

  • Workplace Health & Safety
  • Safely Transport Passengers
  • Professional Customer Service
  • Maintain the safety of the Licensed Vehicle
  • Mobility and Wheelchair Assistance (Practical Unit)
  • Plan Routes and Fares
  • Transport Luggage and Parcels
  • Safely Transport School Age Children
  • The Licensing Regulations (Scotland)

Candidates are required to attend all theory teaching & examinations, including a practical assessment for the Mobility and Wheelchair Assistance (Practical Unit).

LEARNER NOTICE:
Learners are not permitted to take absence days from the training or assessment days, therefore must commit fully to the training timetable which typically runs over a 5 day period (Mon-Fri). 
The training time may vary up to a maximum of 6 hours each day of training/assessment, usually starting at either 9 am or 10am each day.
Where a learner is unable to commit to any days of training and/or assessment, unless they have notified the Centre Coordinator in advance (in writing) they will forfeit their place on the course, resulting in removal. 

If you are interested in undertaking this course, please contact our Taxi Training Team directly on 07786 861230 for further details including course availability and pricing.

Our Centre is the approved SQA Location for the delivery of the Examination & Assessment Criteria of this course.

Medical Exemption - Practical Assessment

This information is provided for guidance purposes only.

Within Section 166 of the Equality Act 2010 there is provision to allow licensing authorities to exempt drivers from their duties to assist passengers in wheelchairs. Learners who can produce a medical certificate issued by the relevant licensing authority can be excused from the practical assessment of Unit 5, Outcome 5 and 6 of the above unit. This will normally only be possible for drivers renewing their licence.

For drivers making a new licence application to a licensing authority, it may not be possible for them to provide an exemption certificate as described above. In this circumstance if the prospective driver requires an exemption from the SQA wheelchair demonstration he or she will have to provide a medical exemption certificate from their GP stating that the loading and unloading of wheelchairs and occupants is detrimental due to an underlying medical condition.

This GP certificate will have to be handed over to a responsible person at the SQA Centre (Centre Coordinator – Lee Copland) as evidence that the candidate is now exempted from the wheelchair demonstration and assessment. If the condition is ‘chronic’ usually two years or more the candidate will usually be exempted ‘long term’ from wheelchair duties.

As most conditions are temporary the wheelchair assessment should be deferred for up to three months for the condition to be resolved. The candidate should produce a short note from the GP to the effect that the medical condition is now remedied before the wheelchair assessment is attempted.

When seeking a medical exemption certificate from a GP, candidates should be advised to provide the GP with the following information:

  • That they are requesting an exemption (Section 166) from the Equality Act 2010 from the loading and unloading of wheelchairs and occupants from a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV).
  • This exemption requires a medical note/certificate from a GP declaring that the candidate has an underlying medical condition that makes them unfit to carry out wheelchair duties either on a temporary basis or long term as required under Section 165 of the Equality Act 2010.
  • If it is a temporary condition, SQA will defer the candidate’s practical demonstration and assessment of competence in loading and unloading wheelchairs and occupants for three months, perhaps longer if requested. Therefore, some guidance on how long the temporary condition is likely to last would be appreciated.