Due to the hectic and intricate nature of the city, taxi driving a black cab in London can be a real career choice for those undertaking employment in a hackney carriage service. London hackney drivers are expected to know the city intricately, and be able to pick up passengers from the street and take them directly to their destination via the most effective route. Consequently, learning this extensive map leads to greater financial rewards. However, congestion charges that are being introduced around London pose a threat to the earnings of taxi drivers, who are by and large self-employed.
As a passenger, it is possible to spot if a taxi is free by looking at the light on top of the car. It is turned off if the cab is empty. Bear in mind however that they are not obliged to stop; if a person is looking a little worse for wear for example. It is customary to tip about 10% of the fare.
What is The Knowledge?
The Knowledge is the world renowned test that potential hackney drivers must pass before they are allowed a licence to pick up passengers freely around London. For drivers who wish to pass the All-London Knowledge test, they are required to learn in-depth an area of a six mile radius around Charing Cross. This includes main streets and side streets as well as the optimum routes for certain journeys. The location and best ways to access all major landmarks and places of interest must be learnt, including:
The routes around central London or suburbs must be practised on scooter, as only licensed drivers who have passed The Knowledge may drive a black cab.
On average, it takes around four years to learn and pass the test to become an All-London black cab driver, and two to drive the chosen suburb. It depends heavily on the driver's ability and commitment, as some can complete it much faster.
Learning the Knowledge The primary resource is a known as the Blue Book, called 'Guide to Learning the Knowledge of London'. It details all the required places of interest throughout the six mile radius and describes routes with which the driver must become familiar. All-London applicants must learn 320 routes covering around 25,000 streets with associated landmarks. For the suburbs it will range between 30 and 51.
On completing an application form to begin learning the Knowledge, drivers are invited to a talk by the Public Carriage Office (PCO). This introduces them to the Blue Book and advises on how to learn the Knowledge.
When ready for examination, applicants will take a written exam followed by one-to-one "appearances" in which they must talk through the shortest route between two areas of London.
Requirements Drivers can apply to begin learning the All-London Knowledge at 18. To learn to taxi in the suburbs however, you must wait until you are 21. In each case, three years driving experience is required and a medical and criminal background check must be passed.
For Private Hire vehicles, it is not necessary to learn the Knowledge as the cars are pre-booked, and thus the driver can plan the journey in advance. They do however need competent map reading and route planning skills which will be tested by law from 2006.
As a passenger, it is possible to spot if a taxi is free by looking at the light on top of the car. It is turned off if the cab is empty. Bear in mind however that they are not obliged to stop; if a person is looking a little worse for wear for example. It is customary to tip about 10% of the fare.
What is The Knowledge?
The Knowledge is the world renowned test that potential hackney drivers must pass before they are allowed a licence to pick up passengers freely around London. For drivers who wish to pass the All-London Knowledge test, they are required to learn in-depth an area of a six mile radius around Charing Cross. This includes main streets and side streets as well as the optimum routes for certain journeys. The location and best ways to access all major landmarks and places of interest must be learnt, including:
- Squares
- Hospitals
- Hotels
- Places of Worship
- Parks
- Courts
- Stations
- Government buildings
- Sports centres
- Restaurants
- Parks
- Historic buildings
- Theatres
The routes around central London or suburbs must be practised on scooter, as only licensed drivers who have passed The Knowledge may drive a black cab.
On average, it takes around four years to learn and pass the test to become an All-London black cab driver, and two to drive the chosen suburb. It depends heavily on the driver's ability and commitment, as some can complete it much faster.
Learning the Knowledge The primary resource is a known as the Blue Book, called 'Guide to Learning the Knowledge of London'. It details all the required places of interest throughout the six mile radius and describes routes with which the driver must become familiar. All-London applicants must learn 320 routes covering around 25,000 streets with associated landmarks. For the suburbs it will range between 30 and 51.
On completing an application form to begin learning the Knowledge, drivers are invited to a talk by the Public Carriage Office (PCO). This introduces them to the Blue Book and advises on how to learn the Knowledge.
When ready for examination, applicants will take a written exam followed by one-to-one "appearances" in which they must talk through the shortest route between two areas of London.
Requirements Drivers can apply to begin learning the All-London Knowledge at 18. To learn to taxi in the suburbs however, you must wait until you are 21. In each case, three years driving experience is required and a medical and criminal background check must be passed.
For Private Hire vehicles, it is not necessary to learn the Knowledge as the cars are pre-booked, and thus the driver can plan the journey in advance. They do however need competent map reading and route planning skills which will be tested by law from 2006.
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