Leicester rules and regulations: questions and answers

1. Only a hackney carriage may pick up a passenger who waves it down in the street.

1. True (correct answer)
2. False

Answer: A. True. True. Hackney carriages are the only vehicles allowed to pick up in the street or wait on taxi ranks. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

2. A private hire vehicle may wait on a taxi rank if the driver has a valid badge.

1. True
2. False (correct answer)

Answer: B. False. False. Only hackney carriages may stand on taxi ranks. A private hire vehicle can only carry passengers who booked in advance. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

3. A person stops your private hire vehicle in the street and asks for a ride. What must you do?

1. Take them if the meter is switched on
2. Take them if the trip is short
3. Refuse: they must book first (correct answer)
4. Take them if they pay in cash

Answer: C. Refuse: they must book first. A private hire vehicle can only pick up passengers who have booked in advance. A street pick-up is not allowed. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

4. In a hackney carriage, what is the most you may charge for a journey that starts in the city?

1. The fare on the Council's fare table (correct answer)
2. Any fare the passenger agrees to
3. The fare table plus a late-night extra
4. The fare a sat nav estimates

Answer: A. The fare on the Council's fare table. You may charge the Council's approved fare or less. Charging more for a journey that starts in the city is illegal. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

5. A hackney carriage driver may charge less than the fare on the Council's fare table.

1. True (correct answer)
2. False

Answer: A. True. True. The guidance says you charge according to the fare table 'or LESS'. You must never charge more. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

6. A passenger books your hackney carriage by phone. You drive 2 miles to collect them. From where can you charge the approved fare?

1. From your home
2. From where you got the booking
3. From the rank you left
4. From where you pick them up (correct answer)

Answer: D. From where you pick them up. For a booked hackney carriage journey, you may only charge the approved fare from the pick-up point to the drop-off point. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

7. When should you switch the taxi meter to 'hire'?

1. When the passenger starts the journey (correct answer)
2. When you accept the booking
3. When you leave the rank
4. When you arrive at the pick-up

Answer: A. When the passenger starts the journey. Switch the meter to 'hire' only when the passenger's journey starts. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

8. The seal on your taxi meter has come loose. You may fix it yourself if the meter still works.

1. True
2. False (correct answer)

Answer: B. False. False. You must not tamper with the meter in any way, and the seal must stay intact. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

9. Your hackney carriage is first on the rank. Can you leave it to buy a drink?

1. Yes, for up to 5 minutes
2. No, not in the first or second place (correct answer)
3. Yes, if you lock the doors
4. Yes, if a driver behind agrees

Answer: B. No, not in the first or second place. You must not leave a hackney carriage unattended when it is in the first or second place on a rank. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

10. Your hackney carriage is fifth on a rank. The rule about not leaving it unattended applies only to the first and second places.

1. True (correct answer)
2. False

Answer: A. True. True. The guidance says you must not leave a hackney carriage unattended in the first or second place on a rank. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

11. You move house. How long do you have to tell the Council?

1. 24 hours
2. 14 days
3. 28 days
4. 7 days (correct answer)

Answer: D. 7 days. If you change your address, you must tell the Council within 7 days. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

12. You are not the owner of the car. It is damaged in an accident. When should you tell the proprietor?

1. Within 7 days
2. Immediately (correct answer)
3. Within 72 hours
4. At the next vehicle test

Answer: B. Immediately. Tell the proprietor at once. The proprietor must tell the Council within 72 hours at the latest. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

13. What is the latest the proprietor must tell the Council about accident damage to a licensed car?

1. 24 hours
2. 7 days
3. 72 hours (correct answer)
4. 14 days

Answer: C. 72 hours. The proprietor must notify the Council of accident damage within 72 hours (3 days) at the latest, and sooner if possible. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

14. A passenger leaves a bag in your car. Nobody claims it. Where must you take it?

1. To the Council office
2. To the Police (correct answer)
3. To your operator
4. To the bus station

Answer: B. To the Police. Lost property found in the car must be taken to the Police within 24 hours. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

15. How long do you have to take lost property to the Police?

1. 24 hours (correct answer)
2. 48 hours
3. 72 hours
4. 7 days

Answer: A. 24 hours. You must take lost property found in the car to the Police within 24 hours. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

16. A police officer asks to see your licence. You do not have it with you. When must you produce it?

1. Within 24 hours at the Council
2. Within 14 days at any office
3. Within 28 days by post
4. At once or within 5 days (correct answer)

Answer: D. At once or within 5 days. You must produce your licence on request to a Council officer or police constable at once or within five days at the right place. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

17. A Council officer may inspect your licensed vehicle at any reasonable time.

1. True (correct answer)
2. False

Answer: A. True. True. An authorised officer or police constable has the right to inspect a vehicle at any reasonable time. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

18. Your licence is suspended and the Council sends a notice asking for your badge. How long do you have to return it?

1. 7 days
2. 14 days (correct answer)
3. 28 days
4. 3 months

Answer: B. 14 days. If a licence expires or is revoked or suspended, the Council may require the badge back within 14 days. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

19. You have a new licence. Within what time must you complete the child sexual exploitation awareness course?

1. 3 months (correct answer)
2. 1 month
3. 6 months
4. 12 months

Answer: A. 3 months. Newly licensed drivers must complete the child sexual exploitation awareness course within three months of the licence being granted. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

20. Your car is licensed for 4 passengers. A group of 5 asks for one trip and offers to pay more. What do you do?

1. Take all 5 if a child sits on a lap
2. Take all 5 for a short trip
3. Take 4 and offer to come back (correct answer)
4. Take all 5 if they agree in writing

Answer: C. Take 4 and offer to come back. You must not carry more people than the car is licensed for, whatever the passengers offer. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

21. Your friend wants to ride along while you carry a paying passenger. Is this allowed?

1. Yes, if they sit in the front
2. No, only paying passengers (correct answer)
3. Yes, if the passenger agrees
4. Yes, at night for safety

Answer: B. No, only paying passengers. The guidance says you must not carry any person other than the paying passenger or passengers. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

22. When must you wear your driver's badge?

1. Only when on a rank
2. Only at night
3. Only when a passenger asks
4. At all times when working (correct answer)

Answer: D. At all times when working. You must wear your driver's badge at all times when you are working as a hackney carriage or private hire driver. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

23. Which route must you take on a journey?

1. The one with the fewest traffic lights
2. The shortest practicable route (correct answer)
3. The route the meter suggests
4. Any route, if the fare is fixed

Answer: B. The shortest practicable route. You must take the shortest practicable route and not make the journey longer in distance or time without need. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

24. You may shout to people in the street to offer them a taxi ride.

1. True
2. False (correct answer)

Answer: B. False. False. You must not look for business by shouting or otherwise approaching the public. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

25. A passenger has two large suitcases. What should you do?

1. Carry them and help load them (correct answer)
2. Ask them to load the cases
3. Charge before touching them
4. Refuse anything over one case

Answer: A. Carry them and help load them. You must carry a reasonable amount of luggage and help with loading and unloading. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

26. You may put an advert for your cousin's shop in the car window.

1. True
2. False (correct answer)

Answer: B. False. False. You must not place advertising matter in the window of the vehicle. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

27. What safety item must you keep ready for use in the car?

1. A first aid kit
2. A torch
3. An approved fire extinguisher (correct answer)
4. A warning triangle

Answer: C. An approved fire extinguisher. You must keep the car clean and tidy and keep an approved fire extinguisher ready for use. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

28. You accept a booking for 9:00. What does the guidance say?

1. Arrive within 30 minutes
2. Attend on time (correct answer)
3. Arrive when you are free
4. Text if you will be late

Answer: B. Attend on time. You must attend punctually to any booking. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

29. A passenger in a wheelchair asks to travel in their wheelchair in your accessible taxi. Can you charge extra?

1. Yes, a fixed £5 extra
2. Yes, for the loading time
3. Only at night
4. No, there is no extra charge (correct answer)

Answer: D. No, there is no extra charge. Leicester's licensing page says drivers must carry passengers in their wheelchair if required, give mobility assistance and not charge extra. Leicester City Council, Taxi licensing in Leicester

30. What is the longest a Leicester driver's licence can last?

1. 3 years (correct answer)
2. 1 year
3. 5 years
4. 10 years

Answer: A. 3 years. A hackney carriage and private hire driver's licence lasts no more than three years from the date it was granted. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

31. How long must you have held a full driving licence before you apply?

1. 6 months
2. 12 months (correct answer)
3. 2 years
4. 3 years

Answer: B. 12 months. You must have held a full British or EU driving licence for at least 12 months. A provisional licence is not enough. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

32. You fail the knowledge test. How long must you wait before you take it again?

1. 7 days
2. 14 days
3. 28 days (correct answer)
4. 3 months

Answer: C. 28 days. After a fail, 28 days must pass before you can retake the test. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

33. What is the most times you can take the knowledge test?

1. 2
2. 3
3. Unlimited
4. 4 (correct answer)

Answer: D. 4. You may take a maximum of four tests. After that, the application for a licence will be refused. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

34. You miss your test without giving reasonable notice. You will have to pay a re-test fee.

1. True (correct answer)
2. False

Answer: A. True. True. A re-test fee is payable if you fail to attend without reasonable notice or fail to reach the pass mark. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

35. Your licence runs out and you apply again a week later. What happens?

1. It is treated as a renewal
2. You get a short-term licence
3. It is a new application with tests (correct answer)
4. You pay a late fee only

Answer: C. It is a new application with tests. If you apply after the old licence has expired, it is treated as a new application. You must retake the knowledge test and the driving test. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

36. You were born outside the UK. What spoken English level must you reach?

1. Entry Level 1
2. Entry Level 3 (correct answer)
3. Level 2
4. GCSE grade 4

Answer: B. Entry Level 3. Applicants not born in the UK take an English assessment and must meet ESOL Entry Level 3. Leicester College runs it for £90. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

37. Who can carry out the medical examination for your application?

1. Your own doctor with your records (correct answer)
2. Any doctor at a walk-in centre
3. A Council officer
4. A pharmacist

Answer: A. Your own doctor with your records. The medical must be done by your own medical practitioner who has access to your medical records. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

38. Once licensed, at what age do you need a medical every year?

1. 50
2. 60
3. 70
4. 65 (correct answer)

Answer: D. 65. Medicals are needed at 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65, and every year from age 65. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes

39. The Council refuses your licence because it says you are not fit and proper. Where can you appeal?

1. To the Council's licensing team
2. To the Police
3. To the Magistrates' Court (correct answer)
4. To the DVLA

Answer: C. To the Magistrates' Court. If a licence is refused on fit and proper grounds, you have the right of appeal to the Magistrates' Court. Leicester City Council, Driver guidance notes