SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Occupational Certificate: Taxi Driver 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94024  Occupational Certificate: Taxi Driver 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-TETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
QCTO - Quality Council for Trades and Occupations  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 11 - Services  Transport, Operations and Logistics 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  72  Not Applicable  NQF Level 03  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0425/24  2018-07-01  2025-12-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30   2029-12-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Taxi Driver.
A Taxi Driver drives and tends motor cars to professionally and effectively transport passengers safely to their destinations, at a metered or prescribed fee.
A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Drive a legally compliant taxi.
  • Service customers in the taxi environment.
  • Manage taxi routing.
  • Comply with relevant rules and regulations.

    Rationale:
    Learners credited with this qualification are working, or intend working, in the commercial road transport industry as taxi drivers. This qualification builds on light vehicle driving competence, and credits competent drivers, who are driving vehicles carrying passengers for commercial purposes.

    The demand for this qualification lies primarily in the taxi transport industry's requirement for drivers to have employable competence beyond that of a basic driving license and professional driving permit. Currently, more than 150 000 individuals work in the sector that would benefit from this qualification. Learners can be persons entering the sector, persons already working in the sector as drivers, persons already working in the field in a non-driving capacity, and/or self-employed persons within the sector. Equipping informal entrepreneurs with managerial skills and high level of education is essential for the development of the informal economy. This qualification has been designed to address major gaps between the existing training systems and the real expressed needs of informal business operators.

    The critical needs include developing best practice approaches to driver and vehicles standards and compliance with greater emphasis on industry self-regulation. The drivers will be able to deal with different situation including amongst others emergency and customer service.

    There is a critical need in the industry to recognise learner competence regarding professional driving, and to ensure that legal requirements are adhered to. In South Africa, the transport industry is experiencing a shortage of competence in and good training for professional taxi driving.

    This qualification meets the requirements of the taxi industry that has developed into the dominant public transport provider in South Africa and is a beacon of black economic empowerment.

    The taxi industry in South Africa has evolved to compete with highly regulated and inefficient bus and rail services. The industry has displayed great levels of resilience and innovation in the face of shifting political and socio-economic conditions and has become the dominant mode of public transport in South Africa. However, the industry is plagued with violence, poor road safety and low financial margins. Direct costs of poor driving include human and economic costs. Improved professional taxi driving could influence the South African economy in direct transport, social and economic costs alone to the value of millions of Rands each year. By improving professional taxi driving competence, road safety is improved and social and economic costs associated with road accidents are decreased.

    The capacity of the learners in this qualification will impact on this situation.

    The taxi industry is the dominant mode of transport in South Africa. As such economy relies heavily on the continued existence of the industry to mobilise South Africa's workforce whether it is in its current from or some new structure. Regulations of certain key aspects of the industry's operation seem to be only warrant of a sustainable taxi industry. Although regulation will not happen without a fair amount of resistance, the payoff in each of the areas reviewed will be far greater than initial cost and effort 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

    RPL for access to the qualification:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
    Minimum of NQF Level 1 and Drivers licence. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:
    Knowledge Modules:
  • Introduction to Taxi Industry, NQF Level 3, 10 Credits.
  • Professional Taxi Driving, NQF Level 3, 12 Credits.
  • Health, Environment and Safety Principles, NQF Level 3, 10 Credits.
  • Transport Risk, NQF Level 3, 4 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 36.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • Conduct pre-trip and post trip vehicle inspection, NQF Level 3, 3 Credits.
  • Drive vehicle in a legal and compliant manner, NQF Level 3, 4 Credits.
  • Handle specific emergencies in a road taxi environment, NQF Level 3, 3 Credits.
  • Build positive relationship with customers, NQF Level 3, 5 Credits.
  • Assist customers with special needs, NQF Level 3, 4 Credits.
  • Drive on planned route or use alternative routes in emergencies, NQF Level 3, 3 Credits.
  • Calculate costs for special routes and get authorisation, NQF Level 3, 3 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 25.

    This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:
  • Performing driving processes and practices, NQF Level 3, 2 Credits.
  • Adhering to Emergency response procedure, NQF Level 3, 3 Credits.
  • Customer servicing processes and procedure, NQF Level 3, 4 Credits.
  • Adhering to taxi routing processes and procedures, NQF Level 3, 2 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 11. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. The ability to drive a legally compliant taxi.
    2. The ability to service customers in the taxi environment.
    3. The ability to manage taxi routing.
    4. Comply with relevant rules and regulations specifications, policies, standards or laws with regards to transit of public passenger. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspection vehicle inspection to ensure that the components of the taxi are operating within normal parameters in accordance with operating instructions:
    > Interior, tools and components are in place and according to check list.
    > Petrol cap, mirrors, wheels, oil leaks, number plates, lights, dents, exhaust, wipers and windows that are in good working condition.
    > The condition of the vehicle is reported on.
    > Participate in the process to repair faults identified.
  • Complete the logbook to ensure accurate records are maintained of vehicle readiness:
    > Vehicle and driver license are checked.
    > Operating disc are checked and its conditions of operation observed.
    > Navigation equipment is assessed.
    > Hands free kit assessed for effective road communication.
    > Business card availability is checked.
  • Drive vehicle in a legal and compliant manner as prescribed by the K53 legal requirements:
    > Accelerator and break management are applied.
    > Steering control is executed.
    > Railway crossings and intersections compliance are adhered to.
    > Weather, road and traffic conditions are assessed and adhered to.
    > Vigilant observation for potential hazards is continuously applied.
    > Accommodation is made for night driving.
    > Turning, cornering and curbing techniques are applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Emergency procedures implemented effectively as per relevant policies and procedures:
    > Emergency quickly and correctly identified.
    > Emergency communicated to all relevant stakeholders.
    > Relevant documentation completed according to company and legal requirement.
    > Efficient customer services maintained through effective communication and assisting special needs customers as per company customer service policies and procedures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Planned route followed by using navigation equipment as per specific rules, instructions and procedures.
  • Alternative routes identified and navigated in emergencies, and relevant stakeholders informed as per relevant company procedures.
  • Calculate costs for special routes and get authorisation through the correct channel as per company standard operating procedures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Potentially dangerous drivers are recognised and keep well clear of them.
  • Traffic signs or road signs erected at the side/surface of roads to provide information to road users are observed and adhered to.
  • The objectives of the Arrive Alive road safety campaigns meant to reduce the number of fatalities on the road are supported.
  • Driving speed limit is observed and adhered to at all times to avoid crashes that increases carnage on the roads.
  • Prescribed rules of the road and other legislative matters are adhered to.
  • Emergency driving provision on the road is respected and avoided for its designated function.
  • Always, dangerous and unsafe driving acts that could result in inconveniencing other drivers are avoided.
  • At all times ensure that the vehicle is in a roadworthy condition.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The international comparability study conducted specifically focused on identifying occupational standards or qualifications used in other countries that might contain indicators of best practice that could be used for comparison to or in the development of the professional taxi driver level 3 to be submitted for registration on the South African NQF.

    Best practice exemplars were considered during the generation and wider consultation processes with specific reference to Safety, Road Law compliance, Professional presentation and Communication were well covered by the above exemplars but coverage of different types of roads is not full covered as South African roads have dirt roads and tarred roads.

    In the United States of America (USA), professional driver training, at the level of this qualification, takes place during classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction, the latter both on the road and in training yards. In the United Kingdom, separate short courses are offered for various vehicle types. Training programmes are about 6 days per vehicle type (light goods vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tons; minibuses with between 8 and 17 seats; buses or coaches). The New Zealand National Certificate in Commercial Road Transport (Passenger Service Driver) contains fewer credits than the South African qualification, and can be at a level lower, depending on the elective component. However, most of the driving units are at an equivalent level.

    The data collection process included the following:
  • An extensive Internet search focussing on the countries identified as best practice countries.
  • Follow-up by email to obtain more detailed information especially in relation to case studies.
  • Contacting professional and academic colleagues in target countries with direct involvement in the development or application of relevant vocational qualifications.

    The international comparability study was done in various countries, such as USA, United Kingdom, New Zealand and various African Countries and South Africa.

    Conclusion:
    The identification of tasks and job profiles is based upon a sound methodology and extensive consultation with practitioners, resulting in valid and credible outputs that informed the development of the qualifications and unit standards. Useful comparisons may be drawn between the environmental trends identified in the best practice countries and those affecting the competencies covered in these qualifications and unit standards. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification has articulation possibilities with qualifications in the public transport industry as well as in the commercial road transport field.
    Possible options include:
  • Chauffeur driver.
  • Truck driver.
  • Bus driver.
  • Taxi Business Executive Leader.
  • Taxi driver trainer.
  • Taxi business owner. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for External Assessment:
    In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience including Foundational Learning Competence or equivalent.

    Additional Legal or Physical Environment:
    None.

    Criteria for the Accreditation of Providers:
    Accreditation of providers to provide this qualification will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

    The curriculum title and code is: Taxi Driver: 732202000.

    Trades Covered by this Qualification:
    This qualification does not cover any of the trades recorded on the NLRD.

    Part-Qualifications
    None. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.