The Knowledge is a series of tests which must be passed by all black cab drivers before they can get a licence to work in the capital. Black cabbies must study some 320 routes and 25,000 streets and get to know them all by heart.
What test do London taxi drivers take?
Stage 2: Written examination
You will be tested on your knowledge of the Blue Book runs (five questions) and the major landmarks (“points”) along the way (25 questions). This is a multiple choice test and the pass mark is 60%. This test must be undertaken within two years of being sent your introductory pack.
How hard is the London cabbie test?
The Knowledge of London taxi knowledge test is considered one of the most rigorous examinations for taxi drivers in the world. It consists of 7 stages, including a self-assessment, a written exam, 3 oral exams, a driving exam, and a series of talks to test your knowledge of London’s roads, landmarks, and destinations.
How hard is it to become a London taxi driver?
You’ll need to pass the necessary tests in order to receive your taxi driver licence. In most cases, you have to: Hold a full UK or EU driving licence, for a minimum of 12 months (or three years if you want to work in London) Meet the background and medical checks.
What do London taxi drivers have to learn?
Passing the Knowledge ensures licensed London taxi drivers have a full understanding of London’s intricate road network. You must learn and memorise 320 routes (known as runs) and various points of interest (known as points) within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross.
Do London cab drivers still do the knowledge?
How do aspiring London taxi drivers pass “the Knowledge”? Nonetheless, they do it. It takes them about 3 years, but they manage it. They do much of their training on bicycles, I think, quicker than walking but gives them more chance to really learn London.
What is the taxi exam called?
The Knowledge is the test that drivers of London black cabs must pass to show that they know the name and location of every street and the shortest or quickest route to it.
Do London cabbies earn good money?
How much does a London cabbie earn? Driving for a good operator means you can easily earn the London living wage (£11.05 an hour) or more.
What is the hardest driving test Centre in London?
Data from the DVLA show that people taking their driving test in Erith have more chance of failing on their first attempt than anywhere else in the country.
How much do London cabbies get paid?
Average £43,206 per year
Is this useful?
How many roads do London taxi drivers learn?
To become a London cabbie all drivers are required to have a detailed knowledge of London’s roads and landmarks within a 6-mile radius of Charing Cross. They have to remember 320 routes and 25,000 streets and get to know them all by heart.
How long does it take to become a cab driver in London?
between three and four years
In fact, it takes most London taxi drivers between three and four years to eventually receive their green or yellow badge! Within the first six months of taking The Knowledge, you can book yourself in for an optional exam, based on the first 80 runs listed in the Blue Book.
Is taxi driving good money?
Drivers are guaranteed to earn £5,000 in their first month, and average weekly earnings are around £1,000 before vehicle hire. There are plenty more reasons that make it worth being a minicab or taxi driver.
Why do London cab drivers have different brains?
These navigational demands stimulate brain development, concludes a study five years in the making. With the new research, scientists can definitively say that London taxi drivers not only have larger-than-average memory centers in their brains, but also that their intensive training is responsible for the growth.
What are London taxi drivers called?
cabbies
Called a cabriolet, it quickly became known as a ‘cab’ – with drivers referred to as ‘cabbies‘. The taxi story took another turn at the end of the 19 th Century, when The Capital’s first motorised cabs hit the street.
Is being a taxi driver worth it UK?
Did you know that experienced private hire taxi drivers who work an average of 40 hours per week can expect to make around £30,000 per year? This is according to the National Careers Service. If you’re prepared to put in the work and be available during unsociable hours, you can see your profits reach new heights.
Thanks to sat navs, many of us can get around the capital with very little knowledge of the area. However, black cab drivers do not use sat navs and are held to very high standards to know their way around London. Before drivers can become licensed, they are put through a very difficult test called ‘The Knowledge’.
How old can a London taxi be?
Taxi Vehicle Age Limits
The age limit for Zero emission capable (ZEC taxis), Euro 6 vehicles and taxis new converted to run on Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) remains at 15 years.
What is a taxi driving test?
The multiple choice questions will test your knowledge of road safety and operating as a taxi driver and are based on the following broad topic areas: road procedures and responsibilities, eco-safe driving and the environment. traffic signs and signals, vulnerable road users, mechanical knowledge.
How do you pass a taxi driving test?
Passing the test
In order to pass the test you must not get any more than 15 driving faults. If you get one serious or dangerous fault or 16 or more driving faults you will fail the test. You must also satisfy the examiner that you: have the right driving licence for the vehicle you are using for the test.
What are the three types of taxis?
Phototaxis (by light) Rheotaxis (by fluid flow) Thermotaxis (by changes in temperature) Thigmotaxis (by physical contact)