As an applicant for a taxi driver or private hire car driver’s licence, you must be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the city prior to being licensed by the Council as a taxi or private hire driver. This is done through the Street Knowledge Test, which must be completed before moving on to the next stage of the licensing process.
How to book your test
Please complete an application form and pay the £15 street knowledge test fee.
Once these steps have been followed, please email the completed application and fee receipt to enforcement@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
How is the test structured?
The test takes 1 hour 15 minutes, and includes three sections which must be completed:
- Streets - You are given the name of two streets and must provide the name of the street that links the two. 20 streets will be chosen at random, and one mark is given for each street correctly identified. (Pass mark: 15/20) 30 minutes.
- Places of interest - You are given a list of places of interest in the categories listed, and must provide the name of the street they are located on. 20 places of interest will be chosen at random. (Pass mark: 15/20) 15 minutes.
- Routes - You will be required to demonstrate that you can transport a passenger by the shortest practical route between two points, evidencing your knowledge of how to quickly and safely journey through the city. Only the main roads to be used need to be listed. Four routes will be chosen at random. (Pass mark: 3/4) 30 minutes.
You must pass each of the three sections to pass the Street Knowledge Test.
Normal examination conditions are used for the test. Anyone found to be using unfair means in sitting the test shall be disqualified from the test and will be required to resit the test again with payment of an additional test fee.
When and where does the street knowledge test take place?
Testing will take place at the Town House, Broad Street, Aberdeen on Tuesday mornings at 11am and last for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Please Arrive ten minutes before the start of the test.
What do I need to bring?
You will be required to bring your driving license as a proof of identification, and a pen to write with during the test. You will also be required to bring a proof of your right to work in the UK. This may be a UK Passport for UK Passport holders, or for all others a right to work check code.
What can I do if I do not pass?
If you have failed one section of the test, please see “One Section Resit” below.
If you fail more than one section of the test, the result overall will be a fail, and you will be required to take the test in full again and pay an additional test fee.
One section resit
If you have failed one section of the test, you will be given a three-month period to resit the previously failed section. If you pass that section within the three-month period, it will be considered a pass for the full test.
To resit one section, please pay the £5 resit fee and complete the resit application form.
Once these steps have been followed, please email the completed application form and fee receipt to enforcement@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
Resit tests start at 12:40pm at the Townhouse, Broad Street. Please arrive ten minutes before the start of the test.
Failure to pass this section within three-months shall result in being required to pass all four sections of the test again.
I have further questions
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the licensing authority by email at civiccompliance@aberdeencity.gov.uk or by telephone on (01224) 522377.