MDT Training

Fear.
Signing up for the TDVL.

Attending the 20 night course.
Passing all the tests at the first try.
There was fear before doing all of the above.

Jubilation.
Triumphant receipt of one's TDVL.

Fear.
Picking up passengers.

Fear.
Not knowing the location.

Fear.
Not knowing the route.

Fear.
Equipment failure.

Alamak! So much fear! Scared shi*t!!!
Sorry, just trying to be calm and poetic but to not much avail. I should add 'panic' to 'fear' too! I guess all new taxi drivers feel this way.
In all honesty (and hubs agrees with me), if I had to rely on this solely for my income, I'd find it easier to conquer my fear and just do it!

Well, at least I know a bit more about handling the equipment on board the cab!
Comfort Delgro makes you attend their MDT (Mobile Data Terminal) course as well as a customer service session.

 

MDT Training (Pic 1)

I don't wish to infringe any copyright issues or flout any taxi company rules so I've 'cartoonised' my photo of the equipment set up at the training session instead of showing the actual photo. Don't sue me, please. I'm doing this so others can learn from it. Might be useful for those intending to join the taxi company and wondering if enough training will be provided. I'm not sure but I think other taxi companies might have a similar set up for their inhouse equipment training.

For the above pic (pic 1):
Top left is the printer.
Bottom left is the taxi metre.
You can see the MDT and my printed notes below. I later moved to another terminal because I realised from the way the buttons were placed (at the bottom) that this MDT was different from the one in hub's cab. This MDT was an older model whereas hubby's cab has the newer terminal installed.

 

MDT Training (Pic 2)

For the above pic (pic 2):
Top Right is the cashless payment terminal.

The training was good and adequate! I had a fairly young trainer who was lively and engaging. I'm not sure how much information was assimilated by the other Uncles attending the course with me. One guy did own up that he was 'slow' and so I guess how much you assimilate at the course depends on your own assimilation speed. I personally understood the handling of the equipment thereafter. But, I know myself. I will surely forget how to handle some of the different cashless modes available unless I get enough practice (do you tap, swipe or insert?)

I was furiously scribbling notes. In part because I have a terrible memory and also to share important points with hubs. But hubs has already finished this course, you may say. Yes. That is hubs. He is not a good student. He is a fantastic hands on person! (You have permission to read more into that than what I actually meant. LOL).  He of course already knows how to handle the cashless payments but when I taught him how to use the Map search option on his MDT, it was like he was learning it for the first time! Sly guy; he did ask me to pay extra attention in class so that I could come home and 'teach' him!

Kiasu me. I'm gonna print out the hotline numbers and make sure the taxi has a copy! Wait breakdown how? In reality, my most important hotline will be my hubby's number. First thing I will do is call hubby for help!!! Yikes!