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Cheltenham's cabbies must pass London-style 'knowledge' tests to be issued with licences.

From January 1 applicants for any kind of taxi licence will be made to prove their in-depth knowledge of the town's roads, in the same way as London's hackney carriage drivers do.

Some will also have to take English courses.

Cheltenham's Hackney Carriage Association members already have to pass a 50-question test, which includes questions about how to get to well-known destinations like the racecourse.

They must score at least 38 marks to be given a licence.

But private licensees are not tested, and Cheltenham Borough Council's licensing officers felt passengers needed protection against drivers going the wrong way and charging the full amount.

Derek Perry, divisional licensing officer, said: "Although we haven't received any formal complaints, we know from customer comments that some of our licensed drivers could improve their knowledge of the local area.

"By introducing this test, we aim to improve this part of Cheltenham's public transport.

"A journey may be prolonged and higher fares charged as a result where a driver lacks adequate knowledge or skills."

Cheltenham's hackney and private cabbies have welcomed the plans and confirmed that customers have told them they feel some drivers have given them a raw deal.

Dave Hemmings, chairman of Cheltenham Hackney Cabs, said: "This is something we think is vital for all drivers.

"We already take these tests and there are private firms who have their own versions, but we've been campaigning to get them introduced right across the board.

"We have all had passengers who have said the price we charge them is cheaper than they have been charged before, which means they have been overcharged by drivers who went out of their way because they've got lost.

"The town is growing all the time and mistakes just make us look like we don't know what we're doing. Some people say that in the era of sat nav we don't need tests like this, but there is nothing like true knowledge of the town."

New drivers will also be tested for English language and communications skills.

He said: "This is another issue. It's one thing for someone to come in from Mansfield and maybe have to follow directions, but quite another for someone not to understand where they should be going because their English isn't good enough."

Any drivers whose communications skills are found wanting will have to pay £30-£70, depending on the level of tuition, to take a Gloucestershire College English language training course, which will be launched in January.

Derek Perry, divisional licensing officer said: "It is vital for all our drivers to have adequate language skills to listen to understand passenger instructions and read maps."

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