It raises another, however, about whether taxi drivers have been getting away with passing the test far too easily in the past.

The test isn’t just a short question and answer. It has three modules that survey geographical knowledge, driver behaviour and road rules and taxi regulations. Since June 30,  234 modules of the test have been attempted, with just 14 scoring a pass. 

The implications of the changes in the taxi industry are significant. We have the potential for there to be fewer drivers if the test becomes too hard to pass. Alternatively, there is concern that current drivers don’t have the knowledge or skill to perform the service to the expectations of the community.

Taxi Services Commission chair Graeme Samuel clearly thinks the latter is more prevalent: “Some of the questions are so much common sense. If you’re dealing with someone with an intellectual disability, what do you do? People have been answering, ‘speak loudly and in a slow manner’ when the right answer is to be courteous and understand their disability,” Mr Samuels said yesterday.

Everyone has a story about a cab ride. In Ballarat, there’s many new drivers on the scene, most of whom do not have innate knowledge of the city gained from living here for an extended period.

It’s in these circumstances where often the major complaint - being able to get from point A to point B in the quickest and most efficient manner – is levelled. A GPS is not a fix-all.

It’s why it is important to have a geographical element to a test.

In cities such as Melbourne, these issues are often exacerbated.

So, it would be easy to complain that we might have fewer taxis available due to the stringent implementation of the knowledge test. 

That, however, should be a small price to pay for more efficient, and safe, drivers.

In the end that’s what will sustain a better system for all involved, providers and customers.