Mauritius Police Taxi Oral Test key terms

The main law governing vehicles, drivers and conduct on Mauritian roads. It sets offences such as dangerous or careless driving, licensing requirements and penalties, and forms the legal basis for taxi operation.

The authorisation that allows a vehicle and its driver to carry paying passengers. Operating a taxi without a valid PSV licence and badge is an offence and voids insurance cover for hire work.

The personal identification issued to a licensed taxi driver, worn visibly while on duty. It shows the holder has passed the required checks and can be inspected by police or transport officers at any time.

A sealed device that calculates the fare from distance and waiting time according to approved tariffs. Tampering with it, or refusing to use it where required, is a serious regulatory and disciplinary offence.

The officially fixed schedule of taxi charges, covering flag fall, rate per kilometre, waiting time and permitted extras. Drivers must charge exactly these rates and must not bargain above them.

Driving that falls below the standard of a competent and careful driver, without the deliberate risk that makes it dangerous. It covers distractions, misjudged gaps and failure to look properly before manoeuvring.

Driving that falls far below the competent driver standard and would be obviously dangerous to a reasonable person. Examples include racing, overtaking on blind bends and driving while heavily impaired by alcohol.

The legal duty to drive with proper focus and reasonable skill for the conditions. Failing to give it, even without a crash, can be prosecuted as careless driving and used against the driver in civil claims.

The maximum permitted blood alcohol concentration for drivers, set by law and enforced by breath testing. Exceeding it, or refusing a lawful test, carries licence loss, fines and possible imprisonment.

A roadside screening test of a driver's breath for alcohol, carried out by police. Refusing without reasonable excuse is itself an offence, and a positive result may lead to arrest and a confirmatory test.

The rule requiring the driver and all passengers to wear seat belts where fitted, and children to use appropriate restraints. The driver is responsible for ensuring passengers are properly belted.

An approved seat or booster designed for a child's size, used instead of an adult belt. Children must be secured correctly, preferably in the rear, and never held on an adult's lap while the car is moving.

A pedestrian crossing marked by broad white stripes across the road. Drivers must give way to pedestrians on or stepping onto it and must not park on or immediately before the stripes.

A signal-controlled pedestrian crossing operated by push-button, with a flashing amber phase meaning give way to anyone still crossing. Drivers must stop on red and never block the crossing area.

The fixed order of signals: red, red and amber, green, then amber. Amber means stop unless it is unsafe to do so; accelerating to beat the change is a common cause of junction collisions.

A solid white line across a lane marking where vehicles must halt at a stop sign or signal. Stopping beyond it, or rolling over it before the way is clear, breaches the rule and endangers crossing traffic.

A broken white line marking where a driver must yield to traffic on the priority road. You slow, look and stop if necessary, then proceed only when the gap is genuinely safe.

The rule that traffic already circulating has right of way unless signs say otherwise. Approach slowly, look right, signal your exit and avoid changing lanes while on the circle.

Keeping to the correct lane for your direction and intended turn, and changing lane only after checking mirrors and blind spots. Weaving or straddling lanes confuses other drivers and causes sideswipes.

A driving style that anticipates other people's mistakes and keeps a safety margin. It means scanning far ahead, planning escape routes and never assuming another road user has seen you.

A following-distance guide: pick a fixed point and ensure at least two seconds pass before you reach it. Double the gap in rain, at night or when following a heavy vehicle.

The total distance travelled from noticing a hazard to coming to rest, made up of thinking distance plus braking distance. It rises steeply with speed and on wet roads.

The area beside and behind the vehicle that mirrors do not show. Taxi drivers must turn their head or use mirror-plus-shoulder checks before pulling out, changing lane or opening a door.

The skill of spotting developing risks early, such as a child near parked cars or a bus indicating to pull out. Early recognition buys time to slow smoothly instead of braking hard.

Loss of tyre grip when water builds up between the tread and the road. The steering feels light and the car drifts; ease off the accelerator, hold the wheel steady and avoid sudden braking.

Striking a cyclist or motorcyclist by opening a car door into their path. Passengers should be taught the far-hand technique and to check mirrors before opening any door on the traffic side.

A short, clear set of instructions given at the start of a journey: seat belts, door handling, child locks and what to do in an emergency. It reduces injury risk and shows professional care.

Declining a fare in limited, lawful circumstances such as obvious danger, illegality or an already-full vehicle. Refusing solely because of a passenger's race, religion or destination is discrimination and a disciplinary matter.

A rider needing extra care, such as a child, elderly person, pregnant woman or someone with a disability. Offer physical help, allow extra boarding time and never leave them stranded at an unsafe drop-off.

The quick walk-around before starting work: tyres, lights, mirrors, wipers, fluid leaks and body damage. It catches faults early and creates a record that protects the driver after an incident.

The thickness of rubber remaining on the tyre, which must stay above the legal minimum across the central area. Worn tread lengthens stopping distance and makes aquaplaning far more likely.

A written note of any fault found on the vehicle, passed to the owner or operator and logged. Reporting a defect in writing protects the driver if the fault later causes a breakdown or crash.

The periodic roadworthiness inspection certificate a taxi must hold to carry passengers legally. Driving with an expired certificate can lead to prosecution, insurance problems and immediate withdrawal from service.

The steps after a crash: stop, switch on hazard lights, warn other traffic, check for injuries, call emergency services and exchange details. Never leave the scene of an injury collision.

A factual written account of a crash, assault, complaint or defect, recorded as soon as possible. It should state time, place, people involved and what was said or done, without opinion or guesswork.

The telephone numbers for police, ambulance and fire services that a taxi driver should know by heart. Keeping them saved in the vehicle lets help be summoned without delay at any hour.

The dispatcher who assigns fares by radio or phone and logs each job. Clear, brief communication with the operator keeps the fleet coordinated and provides a record during disputes or emergencies.

Familiarity with the main roads, one-way systems, shortcuts and landmarks of an area. It allows the driver to choose the fastest legal route and to reassure passengers who do not know the island.

The rule that a driver must take the shortest practicable route unless the passenger agrees otherwise. Deliberately taking a longer path to inflate the fare is overcharging and a ground for complaint.

Directing a journey by well-known reference points such as markets, hospitals, hotels and roundabouts. It helps when a passenger gives an imprecise address or does not speak the local language.

Demanding more than the approved tariff, for example by refusing the meter, inventing extras or taking a detour. It is a disciplinary and legal offence and the most common source of tourist complaints.

A written or printed proof of payment showing the fare and, where applicable, the vehicle details. Offering one on request deters disputes and gives passengers a way to report problems.

The standards of honesty, courtesy and fairness expected of a licensed driver. It includes charging correctly, respecting privacy, refusing bribes and treating every passenger with equal respect.

Calming a tense passenger or dispute by speaking quietly, listening, acknowledging concerns and offering options. It avoids escalation to assault or police involvement and protects both driver and customer.

The legal duty to keep the peace and not to aid disorder, for example by carrying weapons, ferrying rioters or ignoring a police direction. Breaches can cost the driver the licence.