Manchester byelaws: questions and answers

1. In Manchester's hackney carriage byelaws, what does "the district" mean?

1. The whole of Greater Manchester
2. The City of Manchester (correct answer)
3. The city centre inside the ring road
4. The area within 4 miles of the Town Hall

Answer: B. The City of Manchester. Byelaw 1 says "the district" means the City of Manchester. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 1

2. The compellable area covers the city and land up to how far beyond the city boundary?

1. 2 miles, inside Greater Manchester
2. 6 miles, inside Greater Manchester
3. 10 miles, inside Greater Manchester
4. 4 miles, inside Greater Manchester (correct answer)

Answer: D. 4 miles, inside Greater Manchester. Byelaw 2 defines the compellable area as the city, or up to 4 miles from the nearest point of the city boundary and inside Greater Manchester. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 2

3. Where must the proprietor show the hackney carriage licence number?

1. On the driver's badge, which must be worn
2. On the rear number plate, next to the registration
3. Inside and outside the vehicle, or on plates (correct answer)
4. On a licence paper kept in the glovebox

Answer: C. Inside and outside the vehicle, or on plates. Byelaw 3(a) says the number must be clearly painted or marked inside and outside the carriage, or on plates fixed to it. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 3(a)

4. Your licence plate is so damaged that one figure cannot be read. What does the byelaw say?

1. Do not stand or ply for hire until it is fixed (correct answer)
2. Keep working, and report it to the Council within a week
3. Work only on jobs booked by phone
4. Keep working if your badge shows the number

Answer: A. Do not stand or ply for hire until it is fixed. Byelaw 3(b) says you must not stand or ply for hire if any figure on the plate or marking cannot be read. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 3(b)

5. Which word must be printed on the face of the taximeter, next to the fare?

1. FARE (correct answer)
2. TOTAL
3. PRICE
4. TARIFF

Answer: A. FARE. Byelaw 4(d) says the word "FARE" must be printed on the face of the taximeter in plain letters. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 4(d)

6. When you are standing or plying for hire and not hired, how should the taximeter be set?

1. Locked so that no fare is shown (correct answer)
2. Running, so people can see the rate
3. Showing the word HIRED
4. Switched off at the battery

Answer: A. Locked so that no fare is shown. Byelaw 5(a) says that when standing or plying for hire, the key or flag must be locked in the position where no fare is recorded. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 5(a)

7. On a journey charged by distance and time, when must you start the taximeter?

1. After the first mile
2. When the passenger asks you to
3. At the end, to work out the fare
4. Before the journey begins (correct answer)

Answer: D. Before the journey begins. Byelaw 5(b) says you must bring the taximeter into action before the journey begins and keep it running until the hiring ends. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 5(b)

8. During a hiring, when must the taximeter dial be lit?

1. From half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise (correct answer)
2. Only when the passenger asks for it to be lit
3. Only while the vehicle is waiting on a rank
4. Only at the end, when the fare is being paid

Answer: A. From half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. Byelaw 5(c) says the dial must be lit between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise, and at any other time if the hirer asks. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 5(c)

9. A friend offers to change your taximeter so it runs a little faster. What does the byelaw say?

1. It is allowed if fares stay under the tariff
2. It is allowed if a qualified mechanic does it
3. No one may tamper with the meter or its seals (correct answer)
4. It is allowed if you tell the Council in 7 days

Answer: C. No one may tamper with the meter or its seals. Byelaw 6 says a proprietor or driver must not tamper with the taximeter or its seals, or let anyone else do so. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 6

10. You are plying for hire in the street and are not hired. What does the byelaw say you should do?

1. Drive slowly round the centre looking for fares
2. Wait in any side street until someone waves
3. Go at a reasonable speed to a Council stand (correct answer)
4. Wait outside a busy bar until it closes

Answer: C. Go at a reasonable speed to a Council stand. Byelaw 7(a) says a driver plying for hire and not hired must go with reasonable speed to one of the stands appointed by the Council. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 7(a)

11. You arrive at a taxi stand and it is already full. What should you do?

1. Go to another stand (correct answer)
2. Wait next to the stand with hazard lights on
3. Double-park behind the last taxi
4. Wait in a nearby bus stop

Answer: A. Go to another stand. Byelaw 7(b) says that if a stand is full, you must go on to another stand. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 7(b)

12. You arrive at a stand that has space. Where do you park?

1. At the front, ahead of the other taxis
2. Anywhere on the stand that is free
3. Facing the other way so you can see the passengers
4. Right behind the last taxi, facing the same way (correct answer)

Answer: D. Right behind the last taxi, facing the same way. Byelaw 7(c) says you must park immediately behind the carriages already on the stand, facing the same direction, and move forward as the others leave. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 7(c)-(d)

13. Can you ask a friend to call out to people in the street to hire your taxi?

1. Yes, as long as they stay on the pavement
2. No, you must not use anyone to tout (correct answer)
3. Yes, but only near the taxi stand
4. Yes, as long as they wear a high-vis vest

Answer: B. No, you must not use anyone to tout. Byelaw 8 says a proprietor or driver must not use any other person to importune (tout or persuade) people to hire the carriage. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 8

14. Which of these is a duty under byelaw 9?

1. Carry a first aid kit and a fire blanket at all times
2. Wear a Council uniform with your name
3. Take care passengers get in and out safely (correct answer)
4. Offer every passenger a bottle of water

Answer: C. Take care passengers get in and out safely. Byelaw 9 says the driver must be clean and respectable in dress, behave in a civil and orderly way and take reasonable care for the safety of passengers getting in and out. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 9

15. A hackney carriage driver gets a fixed penalty notice that will go on their licence. Under the byelaws, how must they tell the Council?

1. By phone, within 7 days
2. In writing, within 14 calendar days
3. At the next licence renewal
4. In writing, within 3 working days (correct answer)

Answer: D. In writing, within 3 working days. Byelaw 10 says the driver must tell the Council in writing within three working days of any conviction, endorsable fixed penalty or simple caution. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 10

16. You agreed to collect a passenger at 7am. What does byelaw 11 say?

1. Arrive within an hour of the time agreed
2. Be there on time unless a good reason stops you (correct answer)
3. Go only if no street hire has come along before then
4. Phone first to check they still need you

Answer: B. Be there on time unless a good reason stops you. Byelaw 11 says a driver who has agreed to attend at a set time and place must be there on time, unless delayed or prevented by some sufficient cause. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 11

17. How many passengers may you carry in a hackney carriage?

1. As many as can fit in safely
2. Any number if they are one family
3. No more than the number on the outside plate (correct answer)
4. One extra person if the extra person is a small child

Answer: C. No more than the number on the outside plate. Byelaw 12 says you must not carry more people than the number shown on the plate fixed to the outside of the carriage. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 12

18. When must a hackney carriage driver wear the Council badge?

1. Only when waiting on a taxi stand
2. Only when a passenger asks to see it
3. When standing or plying for hire, and when hired (correct answer)
4. Only when driving after dark

Answer: C. When standing or plying for hire, and when hired. Byelaw 13 says the driver must wear the badge so it is plainly visible when standing or plying for hire and when hired. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 13

19. A passenger at Piccadilly station has two heavy suitcases. What does the byelaw say?

1. Help only if the passenger is disabled or elderly
2. Give reasonable help loading and unloading them (correct answer)
3. Ask them to load the cases themselves
4. You never have to help with luggage

Answer: B. Give reasonable help loading and unloading them. Byelaw 14 says the driver must carry a reasonable amount of luggage and give reasonable help loading, unloading and taking it to or from the entrance of the building or station. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 14

20. Under the byelaws, how is a hackney carriage fare normally worked out?

1. By distance only
2. By a mix of distance and time (correct answer)
3. By time only
4. By a price agreed at the end of the trip

Answer: B. By a mix of distance and time. Byelaw 16(i) says the fare is worked out by a combination of distance and time, unless the hirer asks at the start to hire by time. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 16(i)

21. Can you charge more than the taximeter shows?

1. Yes, if the traffic was very heavy
2. Yes, if the passenger agrees at the end
3. Yes, if the journey was late at night
4. Only for Council extras the meter cannot show (correct answer)

Answer: D. Only for Council extras the meter cannot show. Byelaw 16(ii) says you must not charge more than the taximeter shows, except extra charges the Council allows that cannot be shown on the meter. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 16(ii)

22. Where must the table of fares be shown?

1. Inside the vehicle, in clear letters (correct answer)
2. On the roof sign, above the windscreen
3. On the driver's door, on the outside
4. Only at the Council's licensing office in town

Answer: A. Inside the vehicle, in clear letters. Byelaw 17 says the proprietor must show the Council's fares inside the carriage, and no one may hide or spoil it while the carriage is in use. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 17

23. When must you search your hackney carriage for lost property?

1. Once a day, at the end of your shift
2. Only when a passenger reports a loss
3. Once a week, when you clean the whole vehicle
4. After every hiring, or as soon as you can (correct answer)

Answer: D. After every hiring, or as soon as you can. Byelaw 18 says you must carefully search the carriage immediately after every hiring, or as soon as practicable. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 18

24. You find a phone left in your taxi and the owner does not claim it. By when must you take it to the Council?

1. Within 24 hours
2. Within 48 hours (correct answer)
3. Within 7 days
4. Within 28 days

Answer: B. Within 48 hours. Byelaw 19(a) says you must take it as soon as possible, and in any case within 48 hours, to the Council's customer service centre or another building the Council names. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 19(a)

25. Who do you leave unclaimed lost property with?

1. Any shop near the taxi stand
2. Another driver on the taxi stand
3. A Council officer, who gives you a receipt (correct answer)
4. Nobody. Keep it at home until the owner calls

Answer: C. A Council officer, who gives you a receipt. Byelaw 19(a) says you leave it in the custody of a Council officer, who gives you a receipt. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 19(a)

26. The owner collects lost property you handed in. What is the most you can receive from them under the byelaws?

1. £5 (correct answer)
2. £2
3. £10
4. £20

Answer: A. £5. Byelaw 19(b) says you may receive 5p in the pound of its value, or the fare from where it was found to the Council, whichever is more, but not more than £5. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 19(b)

27. What is the most a court can fine someone for breaking a Manchester hackney carriage byelaw?

1. Level 5 on the standard scale
2. £5 for each offence
3. Three penalty points
4. Level 2 on the standard scale (correct answer)

Answer: D. Level 2 on the standard scale. Byelaw 20 sets a fine of up to level 2 on the standard scale, plus up to £2 a day if the offence continues after conviction. Manchester City Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriages, byelaw 20

28. You move house. Under the private hire driver conditions, when must you tell the Council?

1. In writing, within 7 days (correct answer)
2. In writing, within 28 days
3. By phone, within 14 days
4. At your next renewal

Answer: A. In writing, within 7 days. Condition 1.1 says you must tell the Council in writing within 7 days of any change of address or contact details. Manchester private hire driver conditions (revised Sept 2021), condition 1.1

29. A private hire driver is arrested. When must they tell the Council?

1. Only if they are later charged
2. Immediately, and in any case within 24 hours (correct answer)
3. Within 7 days, by letter
4. Only if they are convicted in court

Answer: B. Immediately, and in any case within 24 hours. Condition 2.1 says you must tell the Council in writing immediately, or within 24 hours, of an arrest, charge, caution, conviction and other listed matters. Manchester private hire driver conditions (revised Sept 2021), condition 2.1

30. Your doctor gives you a new diagnosis that could affect your Group 2 driving entitlement. When must you email the Council?

1. Within 7 days
2. At your next medical
3. Immediately, or within 48 hours (correct answer)
4. Only if the DVLA writes and asks you to

Answer: C. Immediately, or within 48 hours. Condition 3.1 says you must email the Council immediately, or in any case within 48 hours, of the diagnosis or change. Manchester private hire driver conditions (revised Sept 2021), condition 3.1

31. When may you use the horn on a private hire vehicle?

1. To let a passenger know you have arrived
2. When you have waited over 5 minutes
3. Once, outside the pick-up address
4. Only in an emergency (correct answer)

Answer: D. Only in an emergency. Condition 5.5 says you must not use the horn to get a customer's attention. It is only for emergencies. Manchester private hire driver conditions (revised Sept 2021), condition 5.5

32. Under the private hire conditions, does a baby count as a passenger?

1. No, babies under one year of age do not count
2. Only if the baby has its own seat
3. Yes, every child, including a baby, counts (correct answer)
4. Only on journeys over 10 miles

Answer: C. Yes, every child, including a baby, counts. The definitions say all children, including babies, count as passengers. Condition 5.17 says you must not carry more passengers than the vehicle licence allows. Manchester private hire driver conditions (revised Sept 2021), condition definitions and 5.17

33. A child travelling alone is booked into your car. Where must they not sit?

1. In the front seat (correct answer)
2. In the back seat behind you
3. In the back seat on the left
4. In the middle of the back seat

Answer: A. In the front seat. Condition 5.17 says you must not let an unaccompanied child sit in the front seat. Manchester private hire driver conditions (revised Sept 2021), condition 5.17

34. You find a bag left in your private hire car and cannot return it to the owner. What must you do?

1. Take it to the Council within 48 hours
2. Keep it at home for 28 days
3. Leave it at the nearest police station desk
4. Give it to the operator within 24 hours (correct answer)

Answer: D. Give it to the operator within 24 hours. Condition 9.2 says if you cannot return it, report it to the operator the passenger booked through and hand it over as soon as practical and within 24 hours. Manchester private hire driver conditions (revised Sept 2021), condition 9.2

35. You are involved in an accident while driving your licensed car. When must you report it to Licensing?

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

Answer: B. Within 72 hours. Condition 5.20 says you must report any accident in a licensed vehicle you are driving to the Licensing Department within 72 hours. Manchester private hire driver conditions (revised Sept 2021), condition 5.20

36. When must the daily vehicle check log be completed?

1. At the end of each week
2. At the start of each shift (correct answer)
3. Once a month, before the MOT
4. Only after the vehicle is repaired

Answer: B. At the start of each shift. Condition 5.21 says the daily check log (lights, tyres, wipers, plates, horn and more) must be completed at the start of each shift and kept in the vehicle. Manchester private hire driver conditions (revised Sept 2021), condition 5.21

37. You have no booking. Can you wait at the back of a hackney carriage rank?

1. No, it may count as plying for hire (correct answer)
2. Yes, if you stay in the car
3. Yes, after midnight only
4. Yes, if the hackney rank is empty at the time

Answer: A. No, it may count as plying for hire. Condition 8.2 says you must not wait without a booking at the front or back of hackney ranks, outside busy venues or in lines that look like a rank. Manchester private hire driver conditions (revised Sept 2021), condition 8.2