KNOWLEDGE TESTS FOR TAXI DRIVERS
OBJECTIVE 1
Communicate in English
Taxi drivers are required to have an appropriate ability to communicate with passengers and others in English. This does not mean that the standard of communication must be such that the driver can hold a detailed conversation with a passenger.
The standard recognises that for many taxi drivers English is a second language.
Condition: Given four English language communication exercises
Performance: The candidate will communicate in English throughout each of the four exercises.
1. Completing a form and/or official document approved by the NZ Transport Agency
2. Reading a short text on a taxi related topic that is approved by the NZ Transport Agency
3. Following verbal instructions
4. Explaining a situation to a customer
Time for test: With the exception of exercise 1 the requirements for this objective are integrated with each objective therefore there is no set time.
Standard: The candidate will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively in English in all four exercises
Exercise 1 Complete a form and/or official document
Performance Standard
Using a from approved by the NZ Transport Agency;
1. Information is completed and placed accurately.
2. Information completed is printed and legible.
3. Capital letters are used accurately where required.
4. Information is provided in words, phrases, abbreviations, and numbers, as required, to meet the requirements of the form.
Exercise 2 Read and discuss a short text
Instructions for Candidate
1. The candidate is to read an approved text and discuss its contents with the assessor. The candidate’s ability to read and discuss this text before completing the objective will be assessed as part of the overall assessment test.
Performance Standard
Using text that is at least three paragraphs in length;
1. The topic of the text is identified and the content explained using key words within the text.
2. Main point(s) and supporting detail in the text are identified and an understanding of the contents of the text is demonstrated.
3. The characters/participants, events, within the text are identified.
Exercise 3 Understanding verbal instructions
The assessor will read a short series of instructions to the candidate in relation to objective 2. The assessor will re-read the instructions. The candidate will then be asked to repeat the instructions back to the assessor in their own words prior to completing the objective. The ability to accurately repeat the instructions will be assessed as part of the overall assessment test.
Performance Standard
1. Specific information in the instructions given is identified and accurate.
2. Sequence of events within the instructions is identified and accurate.
3. Understanding of essential vocabulary in the instructions is demonstrated.
4. Request for repetition of instructions to clarify points is requested if required. Requests are relevant to the task(s) required by the instructions.
Exercise 4 Explaining a situation to a customer
The assessor will provide the candidate with a situation that could arise in the course of a taxi operation, (Example, a road closure that will delay the passenger’s arrival time at their destination.)
This situation will be developed and assessed in conjunction with objective 7.
The candidate will be asked to respond and explain the situation and their proposed action(s) in response to the situation, as if they were speaking to the customer. Their ability to clearly and logically explain the situation and the course(s) of action they would take will be assessed as part of the overall assessment test
Performance Standard
1. Main points of the situation are accurately identified.
2. The situations, and proposed actions, are clearly explained to the customer in a way that was clear and concise.
3. Any questions from the customer are responded to promptly and with clarity.
OBJECTIVE 2
Select Most Advantageous Route
Condition: Given a list containing 20 pairs of pick up and associated destination points from the approved question bank.
Performance: The candidate will be given the written instructions for this objective and is to read the instructions and relay these back to the examiner.
The candidate will describe the most advantageous route between each pair of pick-up and destination points.
Standard: English communication skills to the standard required in Objective 1.
18 out of 20 routes stated correctly in spoken English that is clearly understood by the examiner.
Time for test: 60 minutes
Prescription:
From the approved master list of possible pick up and associated destination points the examiner must select a list of 20 pick up and destination points at random to present to the candidate.
The questions asked must be representative of the entire area for which the certificate is being sought.
The candidate is required to describe the most advantageous route between each set of pick up and destination points.
Examiners can use their own discretion if the answer given by the candidate varies significantly from the model answer.
Sample Most Advantageous Route questions
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Pick up/destination
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SUGGESTED ANSWER
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Christchurch International airport to Cathedral Square
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Memorial Ave, Fendalton Rd, Harper Ave, Park Terrace, Rolleston Ave, Gloucster St, Colombo St.
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Intercontinental Hotel to Wellington Zoo
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Featherston St, Grey St, Victoria St, Wakefield St), Taranaki St, Wallace St, John St, Adelaide Rd, Riddiford St Mansfield St, Roy St.
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Exchange Rank to Mercy Hospital
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Princes St Manse St, Broadway, Rattray St City Rd, Highgate Newington Ave
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OBJECTIVE 3
Location of Landmarks
Condition: Given a written list of the names of 25 major buildings or landmarks from the approved question bank.
Performance: The candidate will be given the written instructions for this objective and is to read the instructions and relay these back to the examiner.
The candidate will write, from memory, the street address (street and number) or location of major buildings and major locations of interest.
Standard: English communication skills to the standard required in Objective 1.
23 out of 25 addresses or locations of the major buildings and landmarks written correctly in written English that is clearly understood by the examiner
Time for test: 75 minutes
Prescription:
From the approved master list of major buildings and landmarks the examiner will select a list of the names of 25 major buildings or landmarks to ask the candidate.
The names of major buildings or landmarks asked must be representative of the entire area for which the certificate is being sought.
The answer given by the candidate must consist of the street number or location of the building or landmark, and the name of the street. The answer could also be an accurate description of the location, for example South West corner of Willis and Ghuznee Streets.
An example of the types of major buildings and locations that can be considered landmarks:
Accident and Emergency Depts Airports
Ambulance stations
Arcades
Armed Services establishments
Banks
Billiard rooms
Bus Services and terminals
Cafes and restaurants
Casinos
Example Major Building and Points of Interest questions:
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Given List of Major Buildings and Places of Interest
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Address
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Hamilton RSA
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50 Rostrevor Street
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Porirua District Court
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4 Hagley Street
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Te Papa
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Cable St, on the left between Taranaki and Tory
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OBJECTIVE 4
Arterial Roads
Condition: Given a written list of 20 arterial roads from the approved question bank.
Performance: The candidate will be given the written instructions for this objective and is to read the instructions and relay these back to the examiner.
The candidate will write, from memory, with reference to location, the start and finish of the arterial road where the start of the road is at the lowest street number and the finish is at the highest street number on the roads.
Standard: English communication skills to the standard required in Objective 1.
18 out of 20 start and finish points listed correctly in written English that is clearly understood by the examiner.
Time for test: 45 minutes
Prescription:
From the approved master list of arterial roads the examiner will select a list of the names of 20 roads to ask the candidate.
The names of arterial roads asked must be representative of the entire area for which the certificate is being sought.
The start of the arterial road must be at the lowest street number on that road. The finish of that arterial road must be at the highest street number on that road.
Where an arterial road starts or finishes at a landmark point or at a point where several roads converge, the examiner can accept as correct any one of the possible correct alternatives.
Type of Roads
Consideration should be given to the type of area the test is applicable to.
Sample Main Road questions
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Given list of Names
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Start
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Finish
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Ponsonby Road
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Gt North / K Road
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Jervois Rd / College Hill
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Adelaide Road
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Basin Reserve
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Berhampore Golf Course
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Prestons Road
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Redwood, Main North Rd
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Marshland, Burwood Rd
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Objective 5
Understanding a Road Map
This objective has been developed to ensure that the candidate has knowledge of road maps and can use a road map to locate various symbols, grid references, locations, and amenities.
Any map giving sufficient information to test a candidate’s ability to read a road map (AA, Pathfinders or Wises) may be used for this objective. These maps must be typical of the style a driver is likely to use in a vehicle, (e.g.) a book map, and, where practicable, is the most recent one published by the map producer for the area to which the test applies.
Condition: Given a current road map of the area to which the test applies, and a written list of 5 road names including suburbs, from the approved question bank.
Performance: The candidate will be given the written instructions for this objective and is to read the instructions and relay these back to the examiner.
The candidate will:
1 By reference to the map, record in writing the location of each given road using page number (where applicable) and grid reference; and
2 List in writing the road features for each given road within the grid reference.
Standard: English communication skills to the standard required in Objective 1.
1. Without error all map page numbers and grid references are written correctly in English.
2. Without error all types of road features found on the given roads are written in English that is clearly understood by the examiner.
Time for test: 15 minutes
Prescription
From the approved master list of roads the examiner will randomly select 5 road names. If a road name exists in more than one suburb the list must include the name of the suburb.
The names of roads asked must be representative of the entire area for which the certificate is being sought.
Selecting a Road:
1. Where possible a minimum of 20% of the road names selected should exist in more than one suburb eg
John Street Newtown
John Street Petone
John Street Stokes Valley
John Street Titahi Bay
John Street Trentham
2. Choose a grid reference that will give a good spread of roads and types of symbols.
3. If there is more than 1 road feature e.g. 3 Traffic Signals in the reference grid and the candidate identifies one, it is to be marked correct.
(Answers to types of roads, references and symbols will depend on what type of map is used. eg Wises, AA, Pathfinder)
Sample Questions using Pathfinders map
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Given Road
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Suburb
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Map Reference
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Type of roads and symbols
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Hawkestone St
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Thorndon
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Map 1 C 4
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Major Rd’s, Other Rd’s.
Motorway junction symbol
Traffic signals symbol
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Haven Road
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Nelson Central
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Map 95 B 2
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State highway, two lane road, roundabout
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Geographical Knowledge
This objective has been developed to ensure that the applicant has knowledge of road maps and their use to establish geographical direction.
Any map giving sufficient information to test a candidate’s ability to read a road map (AA, Pathfinders or Wises) may be used for this objective. These maps must be typical of the style a driver is likely to use in a vehicle, example a book map and be the most recent one published by the map producer for the area to which the test applies.
Condition: Given a central location, a current road map of the area to which the test applies, and a list of 5 road names including suburbs from the approved question bank
Performance: The candidate will be given the written instructions for this objective and is to read the instructions and relay these back to the examiner.
The candidate will orally state the direction, by reference to compass points, the approximate direction of travel when travelling from the central location to the given road name.
Standard: English communication skills to the standard required in Objective 1.
Directions to be stated to the approximate closest intercardinal point (NE, SW etc).
4 out of 5 directions of travel correctly identified in spoken English that is understood by the examiner.
Time for test: 10 minutes
Prescription
From the approved master list the examiner will randomly select 5 destinations.
The destinations asked must be representative of the entire area for which the certificate is being sought.
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Start Location
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Destination
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Approximate Direction of Travel
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Hamilton Transport Centre
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Wake St, Queenwood
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Nth
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Pheonix Pl, Dinsdale
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Sth / Wst
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Powells Rd, Fairview Downs
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Nth / East
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Mount View Rd, Melville
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Sth
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Edgar St, Frankton
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Wst
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Waikato Stadium
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Ridout St, Forest Lake
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Nth / Wst
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OBJECTIVE 7
Navigation Skill
This objective has been developed to ensure that the candidate has knowledge of road maps and their use and can use a road map to navigate between locations within, or in close proximity to, the area to which the test applies and describe key locations en route.
Any map giving sufficient information to test a candidate’s ability to read a road map (AA, Pathfinders or Wises) may be used for this objective. These maps must be typical of the style a driver is likely to use in a vehicle, example a book map and be the most recent one published by the map producer for the area to which the test applies.
Condition: Given a road map and 5 pairs of pick up and destination locations from the approved question bank
Performance: The candidate will be given the written instructions for this objective and is to read the instructions and relay these back to the examiner.
Using a pointer or finger the candidate will trace the most advantageous route between each pair of pick up and destinations points, and provide the names and locations of major landmarks along each route.
(Where available a book map should be used for this objective for the candidate to trace a route over more than one page.)
Standard: English communication skills to the standard required in Objective 1.
Without error.
Time for test: 15 minutes
Prescription
From the approved master list of start and destination locations, together with the most advantageous route between them the examiner will randomly select 5 destinations. This list must include the description and location of major landmarks shown on the map along this route.
The start and destinations asked must be representative of the entire area for which the certificate is being sought.
Taxi Ranks (Stands)
Condition: Given a written list containing the names of approved public taxi stands, to a maximum of 20 taxi stands, from the approved question bank.
Performance: The candidate will be given the written instructions for this objective and is to read the instructions and relay these back to the examiner.
Describe orally, from memory, the location of each approved public taxi stand and locate these on a road map by pointing to them.
Standard: English communication skills to the standard required in Objective 1.
Without error:
1. Location of given public taxi stands described correctly in spoken English that is clearly understood by the examiner, and
2. Location is correctly identified on a road map.
If there are more than 20 public taxi stands in the area, the location of only 20 public taxi stands need to be described.
Time for test: 20 minutes
Prescription:
AKC providers are to develop a master list of approved public taxi stands from which the examiner must select a list of the names of the taxi stands to ask the candidate.
The names of public taxi stands asked must be representative of the entire area for which the certificate is being sought.
In areas where there are fewer than 20 public taxi stands, the candidate is required to describe the location of all approved public taxi stands correctly.
In areas where there are more than 20 approved public taxi stands, the candidate is to describe the names of 20 of these stands correctly.
The answer given by the candidate must consist of the location of the approved public taxi stand by street name and reference to a prominent landmark, such as a building, park, intersection etc; for example South West corner of Willis and Ghuznee Streets. The candidate must then locate the taxi stand on a road map of the area that has been provided by the examiner.
Sample approved public taxi stands question
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Given List of Taxi Ranks
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Address
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Arthur St
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Smith and Smith Building
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Manners St
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Corner. of Smith and Brown streets
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South City
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South City Mall Colombo St
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Courses are conducted in North Shore (weekly) and (given sufficient numbers) in Mt RoskillCourse Unit or elsewhere throughout Auckland.
