The NVQ qualifications could become a mandatory requirement as part of a new council policy for drivers.

Licensing bosses say the courses will be similar to BTEC qualifications which have to be passed by all new taxi drivers in the city. Both qualifications are provided by the Edexcel exam board.

The BTEC includes sections on how to risk assess luggage before lifting it into the cab.

Textbooks on the Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire BTEC course also provides hints about personal grooming, including hair, shaving, clean teeth and body odour.

If the qualification is introduced, it is hoped existing taxi drivers will pass the NVQ level two qualification by 2011.

Government funding could be available to provide the course free to drivers. New drivers currently pay £150 for the BTEC.

Council bosses say it would provide evidence of the quality of service among drivers in the city.

But Mick Rooney, managing director of Ribbleton Taxis, said: "It is totally over the top that I would have to waste my time going to college for a three or four day course to teach me something that I have been doing for 20 years.

"If existing drivers have been doing the job for a number of years they should be exempt from it."

Mr Rooney added that an increase in the requirements to become a taxi driver is threatening the trade.

"The pub trade has been decimated and we are next on the list," he added.

The course requirement comes just a day after the Lancashire Evening Post revealed taxi drivers could be told to smarten up their act with a ban on baseball caps, flip-flops and sports tops.

The NVQ qualification and a possible dress code could be included in a new licensing policy for the taxi trade being drawn up by the council.

Mike Thorpe, head of licensing at Preston Council, said: "Whereas most existing drivers provide a good service, there is always room for improvement.

"Any training is good and we hope the trade will welcome it."

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