Assessments
Request ID: FOI-0721-1819
Date published: 05 July 2018
You asked
We have noticed recently that numbers are falling, yet when we talk to drivers coming in for training, they are telling us that when they phone to book an assessment they are only being offered London centres and they are booked up to July. It would appear that drivers are not being offered to come to Slough even though they live in this area. One driver we know who lives in Harrow was told to go to Barking. As a freedom of information request is it possible to let us know what the capacity for each centre is and the average bookings they get per session. I am concerned that maybe some centres are being favoured more than others, as we know that there is a possible leak within TfL as per our previous discussions.
We answered
Thank you for your email received on 8 June asking for information about our TfL-approved topographical assessment centre providers.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:
As a freedom of information request is it possible to let us know what the capacity for each centre is and the average bookings they get per session.
Please see the following table below for the requested information:
Topographical assessment centre provider Capacity Average number of bookings per assessment over a three month period
(March 2018 – May 2018)
Uber London 40 36
Capstar Chauffeurs Ltd 20 16
Driver Periodic Training 20 18
The Vehicle Site 16 14
E Laws Training 20 18
Data Cars 5 4
Raid Training Services 10 8
Bridge Topographical Training Ltd 24 21
As part of our private hire driver licensing process, applicants are required to carry out a topographical assessment. These are conducted and fully invigilated by Transport for London (TfL) staff at a small number of centres TfL has approved.
Assessments are booked via TfL, however, the centre is chosen by the candidate/applicant and we advise them to do so before contacting us to make a booking.
Further details regarding the centres and the booking process can be found by visiting our website at: www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/licensing/topographical-assessment.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Jasmine Howard
FOI Case Officer
Information Governance
Transport For London
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