top of page
CMT Jan 25.gif

Plymouth proposes dropping PHV ‘Knowledge’ test to boost night-time economy and safety

Perry Richardson


Plymouth's Cabinet is set to review significant proposals that could reshape the city's taxi and private hire landscape. Key among these changes is the removal of the 'Knowledge of Plymouth' test for new private hire drivers, a move aimed at attracting more individuals to the trade and supporting the city's night-time economy.


This proposal, part of a broader consultation on the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy conducted earlier in the autumn, seeks to streamline the process for becoming a licensed private hire driver. The 'Knowledge of Plymouth' test, which assesses drivers’ familiarity with the city’s routes, venues, tourist destinations, and customer service standards, has traditionally been a mandatory requirement for new drivers.

In a surprising turn, an inadvertent policy error, which implied that the knowledge test was only mandatory for hackney carriage drivers, led to a surge in private hire driver applications. This development prompted a reevaluation of the test's relevance, especially in light of the Department of Transport's recent guidance. The guidance notes that due to the advanced technology used by taxi operators, which allows private hire drivers to know their routes in advance, the knowledge test could be rendered obsolete for them.


Additionally, the Cabinet is considering dropping the requirement for hackney carriages to have green and white livery. This change is in response to the current economic climate and the scarcity of vehicles that meet these specific colour requirements.


Another critical aspect addressed in the cabinet report is the impact of reduced taxi and private hire numbers on public safety, particularly concerning women and girls. The Council's Violence Against Women and Girls Commission has highlighted that the limited availability of taxis and private hires adversely affects perceived safety in the city.

If the Cabinet approves these proposals in their meeting on 8 January 2024, the matter will then proceed to the Full Council for further consideration. These changes are part of a comprehensive review of the Council’s taxi and private hire policy, with additional proposals set to be reviewed by the Licensing Committee in due course.


Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Libraries, Cemeteries and Crematoria, said: “We had a good response from the trade and would like to thank them for their helpful input.


“We know, that like other areas of the local economy, that they have been hit hard by fuel prices and the cost of living. This is one of the reasons why we are no longer requiring taxis to have the green and white livery. While it was a great idea, the reality is getting the white vehicles needed proved too difficult and expensive.”


Haydon added: “We need more people in the trade. We need more drivers so that people feel they can get home after a great night out in Plymouth. 


“We know there are bar and restaurant staff who struggle to get a ride home after an evening shift.


“We need to be more pragmatic and remove barriers to people becoming drivers – times have changed, drivers can use sat nav and apps on smart phones to help them navigate around our city. Modern dispatch systems send bookings direct to the drivers’ data pads, which have the inbuilt GPS navigation.”


Finally, Councillor Haydon said: “We are proud to have Purple Flag status, which recognises the fact this city is safe after dark, but being stuck for hours not being able to get home is not helping our residents or visitors.


“We hope these changes, if approved, will lead to more people becoming private hire drivers and help our residents as well as our pubs and restaurants.”

Subscribe to our newsletter. Receive all the latest news

Thanks for subscribing!

TaxiPoint_WebBanner_700x200.jpg
RENT WITH (720 x 200 px) (1).gif
Taxipoint - Web Banner - 12.24.png
IMG_2814.jpeg
Save £££ £3.50 per hour - Compressed (1).gif
1comp.gif
D.4133 LEVC January Offer Campaign_TP__720 x 200.jpg

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers.

All written and image rights are reserved by authors displayed. Creative Common image licenses displayed where applicable.

Reproduction in whole or in part without prior permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

All written content Copyright of TaxiPoint 2025.

bottom of page