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In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know about the topographical test so that you can be confident before taking it. Continue reading!
To put it simply, it is a testing component conducted that is necessary before you can drive for hire and reward in the UK as a taxi driver or private hire driver. It ensures you have the skills you need to safely drive passengers around London and the surrounding areas.
Under the Private Hire Vehicles Act of 1998, all drivers of PCO cars in London must be licensed and pass the TfL assessment. The test is required because, without the proper training, your passengers could suffer serious harm or injury.
The fee for the test depends on the location where you are taking it from. You can take the test for £36 at TfL driver assessment centres, or from other TfL-approved centres for £50.
If you fail to pass both the English and map reading elements of the test, you will have to pay a re-assessment fee of £16 only per test centre session. You will need to pay this fee if you want to re-sit the test at a later point.
Other than these few exceptions, everyone who passes their driving test must sit the topographical test.
To pass the test and get your licence for private hire driving in London, you must score a minimum of 60 out of 100 points. This is divided into two categories—the English language section and the written test section. If you end up scoring less than 60 points out of 100 on either part, you will need to retake the test by paying an additional £16 fee.
You can then expect to get a call offering you an appointment at your nearest TfL-approved accredited test centre within seven working days. You must attend your appointment at the scheduled time so make sure you have arranged for childcare if necessary.
The topographical test is split into four sections:
This section will test your knowledge of indexes on the map. You will need to answer questions about different points on the map using directional terms and the index symbols are given. Each answer will be multiple choice so it is important that you choose the right one.
This section will ask questions about route planning. You will need to read the instructions carefully before answering the questions. You will be given a map with a starting and finishing point and you will be required to choose which route you should take to get there in the shortest time possible.
This is the most important section of the test so you need to make sure you give it your best shot. Make sure to consider all the traffic rules when answering the questions in this section.This section is scenario-based. You must be able to read the compass to determine the direction of the figure shown on it. You will be told what the heading of the figure is on the compass and what direction the figure is facing.
If you’re a new PCO car driver, you will need to pass the TfL test to get your licence. Once you have acquired your licence, the next step is to find a reliable PCO car hire company. At G&M Direct Hire, rent PCO cars like the Kia e-Niro, Toyota Prius, Toyota Prius Plus, and much more. Make sure to explore our complete fleet or contact us for detailsJoin G&M Direct Hire PCO Family Today! We have diverse fleet of Hybrid and Electric PCO Cars.