Bristol City Council is considering removing the topographical knowledge test for private hire drivers, citing poor pass rates and updated government guidance as key factors. The proposal, set to be discussed by the council’s Public Safety and Protection Committee on 3 June 2025, could mark a major shift in how private hire drivers are licensed in the city.
Currently, private hire applicants are required to pass a knowledge test that assesses their familiarity with Bristol’s roads, landmarks, and routes. However, data shows that only eight out of 133 candidates passed the test between January and May 2025 — a pass rate of just 6%. These figures have prompted concerns that the test is an outdated barrier in an age dominated by GPS navigation.
The Department for Transport updated its guidance in November 2023, advising councils that private hire drivers no longer need to demonstrate extensive local knowledge because of the reliability of satellite navigation systems. Bristol City Council’s proposed changes would reflect this advice by removing the location-based questions from the test entirely.
Under the new proposal, the revised test would instead cover practical and legal competencies more aligned with modern private hire work, including:
- Child sexual exploitation (CSE) awareness
- Road safety principles
- Calculation of fares and change
- Understanding council policies and legislation
- Equality and disability awareness
- Using navigation systems for journey planning
- Conflict avoidance and handling abusive customers
Importantly, these changes would not apply to hackney carriage drivers, who will still need to pass the traditional knowledge test. This is because hackney carriage drivers can be hailed on the street and must often take passengers to destinations without prior notice — making local knowledge essential.
The suggested revision aims to make the application process more accessible while still ensuring that new drivers are safe, professional, and prepared for the realities of the job.
If approved, Bristol would join a growing list of councils adapting their licensing rules to reflect the technology-driven nature of the modern private hire industry.
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