The month-long course teaches drivers about Darlington, routes in the borough and driving by-laws.

The course was set up by Station Taxis manager Andy Watson, who said despite advertising in local job centres he had been unable to recruit drivers.

Licensing officers from Darlington Council say they were satisfied the drivers had passed security checks.

Mr Watson said: "We have a contact in Prague and a training school.

"The drivers spend a period of time in Prague where they learn all about Darlington, the routes and the by-laws relating to taxi driving."

'Same checks'

But the Darlington Independent Taxi Traders Organisation said passenger safety was being put at risk because foreign drivers were not tested rigorously enough.

Chairman Michael Kennedy added: "You can probably get a country's history off the internet, but not the local history. You must have known Darlington for three or four years."

But a Darlington Council spokesman told BBC News that the drivers undergo the same security checks as a British driver and must pass the same driving test.

He said: "Everything is exactly the same. There are no short cuts."

Mr Watson added that his drivers are up to the job.

He said: "They are fully skilled in aiding disabled people, and know topography and will be better qualified than any other taxi driver within the town."