JUST 73 per cent of Barrow taxi drivers who have taken the controversial new 'local knowledge test' have passed, figures have shown.

From last month, new rules introduced by Barrow Borough Council require the 350 licensed taxi drivers in the borough to pass a general knowledge test featuring sections of mental arithmetic and local geography.

Applicants for licences will need to undergo the test and existing drivers will need to take the exam when their licence is up for renewal. Failure to reach the pass mark would result in their licence being revoked

Taxi drivers will have three attempts to take the test - if they fail the third test, they will be banned from resitting it for six months.

The general knowledge test is made up of 30 questions. A score of 75 per cent or higher is required to pass and successful candidates are sent a certificate of recognition.

Figures released to Barrow taxi driver Bob Mullen this week show that out of the first 48 who have taken the test, only 35 had passed - a rate of 73 per cent.

Mr Mullen, a taxi driver of 14 years and a representative of Furness Taxi Trade Association, has previously described the test as "insulting".

He said: "Drivers voiced opposition to this from when it was first proposed. "The overwhelming opinion was that this test should be for new drivers only.

"Some drivers have more than 30 years' experience and feel insulted that this hasn't been taken into account and that yet again we have been railroaded into doing something we don't need to do."