As the town continues to grow at an alarming rate, the knowledge of drivers will need to expand with it

Stan Pajak, Swindon councillor

The 50-question paper tests knowledge of local routes and places, customer service and rules and regulations.

The pass mark is likely to be set at 80%.

Swindon's hackney cab drivers are all supposed to have passed a similar test but the council had not implemented the requirement for about 15 years.

T&G hackney cab shop steward for Swindon Nathan Blake has been instrumental in getting the tests reinstated.

"Traffic in Swindon is a growing problem," he told BBC News Online.

"The town is becoming more difficult to navigate with new bus lanes and road closures."

Swindon is home to the "magic roundabout"

Councillor Stan Pajak, chairman of Swindon Borough Council's Transport, Environment and Neighbourhood Services Committee, also welcomes the tests.

"I would hope that whenever you jump in a taxi, the driver would know where to take you," he said.

"As the town continues to grow at an alarming rate, the knowledge of drivers will need to expand with it.

"It's about bringing the service up to date."

The 50-question paper tests knowledge of local routes and places, customer service and rules and regulations.

The pass mark is likely to be set at 80%.

A typical question might ask:

I am requested to take a passenger on a journey of less than a mile. Do I -

• a) accept the fare

• b) accept the fare but charge double as it is such a short trip

• c) tell them no to be so lazy and walk

Swindon's traffic system has been criticised in the past.

A series of multiple roundabouts dubbed "the magic roundabout" has a particularly bad reputation.

But Mr Blake said: "In fact it's the only roundabout which does actually work.

"The others which are traffic light-controlled, don't."