Nottingham licence conditions: questions and answers

1. Someone waves down your private hire vehicle in the city centre. They have not booked. What is it called if you take them?

1. A walk-up fare
2. Illegally plying for hire (correct answer)
3. A cash booking
4. An emergency hiring

Answer: B. Illegally plying for hire. Picking up a passenger who has not pre-booked through a licensed operator is illegally plying for hire. Nottingham City Council, Did you know - Topography Test

2. Which vehicles can legally ply for hire in Nottingham city?

1. Hackney carriages only (correct answer)
2. Private hire vehicles only
3. Both, with a badge
4. Any car with a meter

Answer: A. Hackney carriages only. Hackney carriages are the only vehicles that can legally ply for hire within the city boundary. Nottingham City Council, Did you know - Topography Test

3. You take a street pick-up in a private hire vehicle without a booking. What happens to the vehicle's insurance?

1. It still covers the trip
2. It covers the passenger only
3. It is not valid (correct answer)
4. It covers the trip if short

Answer: C. It is not valid. The vehicle's insurance is invalid if a private hire driver illegally plies for hire without a pre-booking through an operator. Nottingham City Council, Did you know - Topography Test

4. A private hire vehicle may park on a hackney carriage rank while the driver waits for a booking.

1. True
2. False (correct answer)

Answer: B. False. False. Private hire vehicles are not allowed to park on a hackney carriage rank. Nottingham City Council, Did you know - Topography Test

5. Can a Nottingham licensed driver work for more than one Nottingham licensed operator?

1. No, only one operator
2. Yes, two or more (correct answer)
3. Only with a second badge
4. Only at weekends

Answer: B. Yes, two or more. A Nottingham City licensed driver can work for two or more Nottingham City licensed private hire operators, if they follow the conditions. Nottingham City Council, Did you know - Topography Test

6. You want to start working for a second operator. What must you give the Council before you start?

1. A signed offer of work letter (correct answer)
2. A new medical
3. A new DBS certificate
4. A passenger reference

Answer: A. A signed offer of work letter. You must give the Council a signed offer of work letter from each operator before you start work for them. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

7. How much notice must you give the Council before you start working for a second operator?

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

Answer: C. 7 days. Give the Council 7 days' notice before starting or stopping work for an operator. If you have less notice, tell them within 24 hours. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

8. You work for two operators. Whose side panel do you display?

1. Both operators' panels
2. Neither, while you work
3. The operator you joined first
4. Only the operator who booked this trip (correct answer)

Answer: D. Only the operator who booked this trip. Only display the side panel for one operator at a time: the operator the current hiring is booked with. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

9. Side panels only need to be displayed when you are working.

1. True (correct answer)
2. False

Answer: A. True. True. The Council's 'Did you know' sheet says side panels only need to be displayed when working. Nottingham City Council, Did you know - Topography Test

10. A passenger asks if they can smoke an e-cigarette in your car. What do you say?

1. Yes, with the windows open
2. Yes, if you agree
3. Yes, on long trips
4. No, it is never allowed (correct answer)

Answer: D. No, it is never allowed. You must not smoke, vape or use an e-cigarette in the vehicle at any time, or let anyone else do so. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

11. You are not working and you are alone in your licensed car. May you smoke in it?

1. No, not at any time (correct answer)
2. Yes, when off duty
3. Yes, with the window open
4. Yes, if you clean it after

Answer: A. No, not at any time. The condition says no smoking or vaping in the vehicle at any time. The Council calls the licensed vehicle your place of work. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

12. You arrive to collect a passenger outside their house. How should you let them know?

1. Sound the horn twice
2. Do not use the horn (correct answer)
3. Sound the horn once
4. Flash your lights and use the horn

Answer: B. Do not use the horn. Drivers must not use the horn to alert a customer on arrival. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

13. When may you play the radio while carrying a passenger?

1. Always, at low volume
2. Never, under any conditions
3. Only with the hirer's consent (correct answer)
4. Only after 10pm

Answer: C. Only with the hirer's consent. You must not play a radio or music without the hirer's express consent, except for messages about the operation of the vehicle. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

14. May you eat a sandwich while the vehicle is hired?

1. No, not while hired (correct answer)
2. Yes, if stopped at lights
3. Yes, if the trip is long
4. Yes, if the passenger agrees

Answer: A. No, not while hired. Drivers must not drink or eat in the vehicle while it is hired. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

15. You may talk to a passenger about private, personal or sexual matters if they start the conversation.

1. True
2. False (correct answer)

Answer: B. False. False. Drivers must not engage in conversation of a private, personal or sexual nature with passengers. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

16. Your phone rings while you are driving a licensed vehicle. What should you do?

1. Answer it if the call is short
2. Not use a handheld device (correct answer)
3. Answer it at the next red light
4. Ask the passenger to answer

Answer: B. Not use a handheld device. Drivers must not use a handheld electronic device in the vehicle while it is being driven. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

17. A passenger asks for a written receipt for the fare they paid. What must you do?

1. Refuse unless it is an account job
2. Ask the operator to email one
3. Give them a written receipt (correct answer)
4. Charge a fee for the receipt

Answer: C. Give them a written receipt. If the passenger asks, you must give a written receipt for the fare paid. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

18. An officer from a different council stops you while you work in their area. What must you do?

1. Answer reasonable questions and show documents (correct answer)
2. Refuse; they have no power over you
3. Drive back to Nottingham first
4. Only give your name

Answer: A. Answer reasonable questions and show documents. When in another council's area, you must answer reasonable questions and produce documents if that council's authorised officer asks. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

19. A passenger is blind and has a guide dog. You have no exemption notice. What must you do?

1. Carry them and the dog (correct answer)
2. Ask the dog to go in the boot
3. Refuse if you have allergies
4. Charge an extra fee

Answer: A. Carry them and the dog. Assistance animals must be carried if asked, unless the driver displays a Notice of Exemption issued by Nottingham City Council. Nottingham City Council, Did you know - Topography Test

20. Can you charge a higher fare because a passenger has an assistance dog?

1. Yes, a small fee
2. Only for cleaning
3. No, never (correct answer)
4. Only at night

Answer: C. No, never. A driver cannot charge a higher fare for carrying a guide dog or any assistance animal. Nottingham City Council, Did you know - Topography Test

21. Can you charge more to carry a passenger who uses a wheelchair?

1. Yes, for loading time
2. Only in a hackney carriage
3. Only if they book late
4. No, it is not allowed (correct answer)

Answer: D. No, it is not allowed. A driver cannot charge a higher fare for carrying a wheelchair passenger. Nottingham City Council, Did you know - Topography Test

22. A passenger has a pet cat in a box. Where may it travel, if you agree?

1. In the front footwell
2. In the rear only (correct answer)
3. In the boot
4. On the passenger's lap in front

Answer: B. In the rear only. You may carry passengers' animals or pets at your discretion, in the rear of the vehicle only. This limit does not apply to assistance dogs. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

23. A child aged 7 wants to sit in the front of your private hire vehicle. Is this allowed?

1. Yes, with a booster seat
2. Yes, if a parent agrees
3. No, children under 10 cannot sit in front (correct answer)
4. Yes, on short trips

Answer: C. No, children under 10 cannot sit in front. Children under 10 must not be carried in the front of the vehicle. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

24. Who may sit in the front seats of a Nottingham hackney carriage?

1. No passengers (correct answer)
2. One adult passenger
3. Any passenger over 10
4. Up to two passengers

Answer: A. No passengers. No passengers may sit in any front seat of a hackney carriage. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

25. Your private hire vehicle has no special seating plan. How many passengers may sit in the front?

1. None
2. One (correct answer)
3. Two
4. Three

Answer: B. One. No more than one passenger may sit in the front of a private hire vehicle, unless the Council has issued a seating plan for an 8-seat vehicle with 2 front passenger seats. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

26. Which passenger is not counted towards the number your vehicle is licensed for?

1. A child under 3 on an adult's lap in the rear (correct answer)
2. A child under 10 in the rear
3. A baby in a car seat in front
4. Any child under 12

Answer: A. A child under 3 on an adult's lap in the rear. Children under 3 sitting on an adult's lap in the rear are not counted for this purpose. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

27. A passenger has heavy bags. What do the conditions say?

1. Luggage is not your job
2. Give all reasonable help with luggage (correct answer)
3. Only help if they pay extra
4. Only help hackney passengers

Answer: B. Give all reasonable help with luggage. Drivers must give all reasonable assistance with passengers' luggage. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

28. You change your address. When must you tell the Council?

1. Within 24 hours
2. Within 72 hours
3. Within 7 days, in writing (correct answer)
4. At your next renewal

Answer: C. Within 7 days, in writing. Tell the Council in writing as soon as reasonably practicable and within 7 days of a change of address. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

29. Your licensed car is in an accident. How long do you have to send the Council an accident form?

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

Answer: B. 72 hours. Report all accidents involving the vehicle to the Council on an accident form within 72 hours. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

30. A passenger leaves a phone in your car and no one claims it. Where must you take it, and when?

1. Central Police Station within 24 hours (correct answer)
2. The Council office within 7 days
3. Your operator within 72 hours
4. Keep it for 28 days

Answer: A. Central Police Station within 24 hours. Unclaimed property must be taken to Central Police Station, Nottingham, within 24 hours of being found. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

31. You are arrested but not charged. Must you tell the Council?

1. No, only if charged
2. No, only if convicted
3. Only if it was a driving matter
4. Yes, in writing within 7 days (correct answer)

Answer: D. Yes, in writing within 7 days. You must tell the Council in writing within 7 days of an arrest for any offence, whether or not you are charged. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

32. You get a fixed penalty notice for a minor matter. When must you tell the Council?

1. Only if you lose the appeal
2. Within 7 days, in writing (correct answer)
3. Within 28 days
4. At renewal

Answer: B. Within 7 days, in writing. Any fixed penalty notice must be reported to the Council in writing within 7 days. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

33. Your GP tells you not to drive because of a health problem. When must you tell the Council?

1. Within 7 days (correct answer)
2. Only at renewal
3. Within 28 days
4. Only if DVLA asks

Answer: A. Within 7 days. If your GP has advised you not to drive, or you must tell DVLA about a condition, tell the Council within seven days. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

34. Where must you display your dashboard badge when working?

1. In the boot
2. In your wallet
3. In clear view of passengers (correct answer)
4. On the rear window

Answer: C. In clear view of passengers. Your dashboard badge must be clearly displayed in clear view of passengers at all times when working. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

35. Your private hire vehicle has a meter. When must the meter be lit up?

1. Never
2. Only when the passenger pays
3. Only on motorways
4. In the hours of darkness during a hiring (correct answer)

Answer: D. In the hours of darkness during a hiring. The meter must be properly lit during any part of the hiring in the hours of darkness, and at other times if the hirer asks. Nottingham City Council, Conditions for combined HC and PH driver's licence

36. Your licence is refused because the Council is not satisfied you are fit and proper. How long do you have to appeal to the Magistrates' Court?

1. 7 days
2. 14 days
3. 21 days (correct answer)
4. 28 days

Answer: C. 21 days. An applicant has 21 days to appeal to a Magistrates' Court after a refusal on fit and proper grounds. Nottingham City Council, Did you know - Topography Test