The Taxi Island Knowledge ("IK") Required


Purpose of the Taxi IK Test

Legally (as per the MOTOR TRAFFIC (JERSEY) LAW 1935, article 29 (2) (d)) a person must satisfy the Inspector of Motor Traffic that they have:

"an adequate knowledge of Jersey"

"Adequate" - no more and no less!, but without defining exactly what "Adequate" actually is!  

In practice this means demonstrating (by recollection) to a DVS Test Examiner a working knowledge of the road system and Places / Destinations so they are satisfied you won't easily get lost with Customers onboard on day 1! 


The Current Taxi IK Test

Per the Gov.je website PSV Taxi-Cab Badge applicants will be tested based on knowing all the locations within the 13 General Categories listed  and on the routes in between each location within those Categories.  Well, in theory! - but in practice DVS do not seem to ask anything too difficult, but that can't be 100% relied upon - especially if you don't meet whatever the unwritten "Face Fits" requirement  is that day.


History of the Taxi IK Test

Up to 2018 the IK Test had been based on only the contents of a printed Booklet issued by DVS containing named Locations and Roads & Routes (albeit the Guide hadn't been updated for 30 years so many places long since closed!). 

On  5 March 2018  the "Taxi Minister" (then Deputy Eddie Noel) made a  formal Ministerial Decision to encourage new Drivers into the Taxi Industry. The DFI (DVS) then replaced the existing Booklet issued by them with the above 13 General Categories.

In practice this changed the IK requirement for the Test from being based on specific Places to learn with 13 General Categories that contain either countless irrelevant  Locations or are infinite (or both!), plus the routes in between all of them! (beyond infinite!) .  

DVS using an "Infinity & Beyond!" approach for the IK Test to encourage new Drivers into the Taxi Industry was an interesting choice.

But, we are where we are.......

Attached is a "Jersey Taxi Island Knowledge Guide" (PDF) compiled by a small number of PSV Taxi Drivers in 2025 that contains more than enough IK to start working as a Taxi Driver. Whether it contains enough to satisfy the IK Test by DVS is an unknowable.

This IK Guide has 11 Categories that include specific Locations and Routes (plus notes to help find!) and is based on the 13 DVS General Categories (some of those have been amalgamated).  For some of these Categories it is ALL Locations (i.e. Hotels and Parish Halls) and for other Categories the specific Locations are a selection, but based on usefulness (frequency of use and / or as a Landmark).


The IK Guide (INDEX)

a) Roads & Routes (Major & Useful)

b) Common Routes (from Town & Airport)


Everything in this IK Guide you will learn when working (plus so much more!). But not to say you will need to know everything within it to pass the IK Test with DVS - but it will make your new Taxi life less stressful!