The Black Cabs' history goes back to the time of horse-drawn cabs which were called Hackney Cabs. The term comes from the French word haquenee referring to the ambling horses used to pull the original Hackney Carriages. The Hackney Carriage originated in London, England in 1625. The cabs still come under some of the old rules from the horse-drawn days. The Black Cabs are the only taxis that are allowed to pick people up from the street. There are also mini cabs in London, however they can only collect someone if they have made a prior arrangement by phone.

Before a taxi driver gets his Hackney Cab Licence he or she must pass a test called 'The Knowledge'. This is a difficult test and requires the cabbie to know the streets of central London like the palm of their hand. Mini cab drivers do not need to pass this test.
The Knowledge

Taxi drivers in London undergo a demanding and arduous testing of their knowledge of the city, its daily traffic patterns and the fastest routes between locations. Estimates suggest that gathering the basic understanding needed to acquire The Knowledge involves a full-time year of study, absorbing the information provided by street maps and travelling around the city itself.

The result is that drivers of official London Hackney Cabs are renowned for their detailed and intimate knowledge of London's streets and attractions. Strangely enough, scientific study has shown that possession and expansion of The Knowledge increases the size of the anterior and posterior hippocampi of the brain - the area that handles spatial memory and spatial navigation.

Compared with baseline controls and inexperienced cabbies, long-serving taxi drivers possessed considerable more developed hippocampi.

The Vehicles

There are currently 3 makes of vehicle licensed to ply for hire in London:

LTI (London Taxis International) - FX4 taxi, Fairway taxi, Fairway Driver taxi, TX1 taxi, TX2 Taxi & TX4 taxi.
Metrocab - Series 1 Metrocab, Series 2 Metrocab, Series 3 Metrocab & TTT Metrocab.
Eco City Vehicles - Mercedes Benz Vito Taxi.
All of these vehicles have to conform to the conditions  of fitness as set out by the PCO (Public Carriage Office).
http://www.taxi-london.net/

Driving a Taxi in the UK is not just a matter of picking up your keys and jumping in your cab, there are a few things you need to do before you can get you license to drive. Firstly you have to be police checked to make sure you have a clean driving license and no criminal record. You must also undertake a medical examination to ensure you’re a fit and healthy person to drive a taxi. Then you are tested on your knowledge of the area you intent to work in. All Local Authorities are responsible for granting taxi drivers licenses they require Hackney Carriage drivers to sit an exam and answer questions such as road locations, routes between given points and places of interest and importance such as hospitals, police stations pubs and clubs etc. All designed to ensure any licensed taxi driver knows his or her area and competent proper person to do so.

The standards of such examinations are set by each local authorities licensing department. Probably the most difficult of all is over seen by the Public Carriage Office in London. To drive one of the world famous Black Cabs or Hackney Carriages as they are also known you have to pass the worlds most intensive taxi training course known as the Knowledge the test itself dates back to 1865 and has changed little since. It requires a driver to have a detailed knowledge of central London within a radius of six miles of Charing Cross Station. There are some 25000 roads and streets 320 runs or routes across town as well as places of interest, tourist attractions and important landmarks to learn. Quite a task for anyone but for the knowledge boys whose ambition it is to drive a London Taxi, a goal that takes on average 40 months to achieve.

You can often see them on scooters with a clipboard and map attached driving around the streets of London learning there way. When they have learnt all they need to know they must sit an examination to test this knowledge and attend a series of interviews known as appearances and answer questions on routes and landmarks. Examples of the type of questions would be to list all the theatres on Shaftsbury Avenue as you would pass them and the Streets and traffic signals you would pass along the way. Another would be to give the shortest route between two points in the city and then take into account traffic during the rush hours and when congestion occurs suggest alternative routes to avoid it where possible.

Its also a fact that in learning the knowledge a persons brain grows so when you next get in a cab and you think the drivers a bit of a know it all he just might !
But whatever you do always use a Licensed Private Hire car or Hackney Carriage Taxi your be in safe hands, at The Taxi Directory thats all we list!

http://www.londontaxiknowledge.co.uk/General-Articles-6.html

Since gaining 'The Knowledge' (memorising 25,000 different routes within a 6-mile radius of Charing Cross) at the age of 29, Alf has been ferrying passengers around the capital and continues to do so today at the age of 72. Along the way, he has flirted with minor fame appearing on TV shows in the UK and the US, helped to found the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association and become a published author.

'Most Highly-Trained Drivers in the World'
First and foremost though, he is a passionate advocate of the traditions and professionalism of the London taxi driver. In the flat that he shares with his wife, he explained to BBC London why licensed taxi drivers - those who have taken 'The Knowledge' - are streets ahead of their minicab or private hire rivals.

"The knowledge is like a jigsaw in the brain," says Alf. "I went out on my bike and learnt all the routes. That is how you start. It took me nine months to learn it all. You pass the driving test and then you're on your way."

"When you get in a licensed London cab it is fully taxed and fully insured. It's got passenger liability. There is a skilful driver who wears a badge – we are the mostly highly trained taxi drivers in the world. Unfortunately, you do not know what you will get in a private hire car. Some of them are right scallywags."

"They haven't got the training. People talk about satellite navigation but it has been proven that it's not as quick; it doesn't always take you the quickest route and won't take you away from heavy traffic. Tests have shown that a driver with 'The Knowledge' is much quicker and better than a driver with Sat-Nav."

Despite Alf's conviction that taxi drivers are superior to their private hire cousins, he is not so optimistic for the future.

"They have estimated that we will be 10,000 cabs short for the Olympics. And one of Mayor Ken's minions has indicated that for 2012, they will allow private hire cars to ply-for-hire [hail from the street] but, as we say in the trade, I think it is a dot on the card. Mayor Ken wants to integrate world-famous London taxis with private hires to have one system. The guys laugh at me but it is going to be the death knell for the trade."

Some stories to tell…

In 1978, after winning the Taxi Driver of the Year competition, which involved answering questions and completing a driving course, Alf became a minor celebrity. He appeared on TV shows and quietly became the public face and spokesperson for the whole trade. Spending some time in his company it is not difficult to see why he is such a natural for the role.

From his numerous celebrity encounters both in and out of the cab -"Les Dawson was the funniest. Swore like a trooper." - to the drunk and philandering politician, Alf Townsend has a treasure trove of amusing tales that he has accumulated during his 40 years of service.

His favourite story, and his wife's, goes something like this:

"One evening many, many years ago at Paddington, two American ladies, real southern belles, get in my cab and say they want to see London before they go home. They want to see Buckingham Palace and the Royal Family. I thought 'I've been driving a cab in London for 20 years and I've never seen the Royal family!'

"So we're going down Constitution Hill, just opposite Buckingham Palace, and out stops Mr Plod and puts his hand out for me to stop. Was I speeding? Am I in trouble? And then out of the side entrance comes a limo with the Queen and the Prince Philip. So I say, 'And if you look out the window, you'll see Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh' and he waves at them!"

"They couldn't believe it; they were like 'Thank you, driver, thank you so much.' I said no problem. A bit later on we passed another limo with the Queen Mum and Prince Charles inside! They asked me for my address and phone number because they were going to tell their friends that they knew the driver who could show them the Royal Family!"
Inside Alf's cab

Unsurprisingly, Alf has written a book, 'London Cabbie: A Life's Knowledge' full of similar anecdotes. Will Self, whose novel 'The Book of Dave' is about a London cabbie, has called it required reading. But Alf is far from a one-trick writing pony – he has also published a book called 'Bad Lads' about RAF National Service and has another book coming out about his experience as an evacuee during WWII. Since he started writing seriously just eight years ago, he has now written four books.

A working cabbie, a writer and a regular golfer, there are few signs that Alf Townsend has lost his lust for life. And he'll even go south of the river.

'London Cabbie: A Life's Knowledge' by Alf Townsend is out now in paperback.

http://www.londontaxiknowledge.co.uk/General.html

For would be, All London taxi drivers, (Green Badge) this means that they need to have a detailed knowledge of London within a six mile radius of Charing Cross. Suburban Taxi drivers (Yellow Badge) need to have a similarly detailed knowledge of their chosen sector.

The basis for learning the Knowledge is the 'Guide to Learning the Knowledge of London' (the 'Blue Book') which contains lists of routes (or 'runs'). Applicants need to learn these routes and they also need to know all the places of interest and important landmarks on the route and around the start and finish points. There are 320 runs for All London applicants to learn and between 30 and 51 for suburban applicants (depending on the size of the sector).

Before starting to learn the Knowledge, applicants are invited to attend the PCO for an introductory talk. Here they are given a copy of the Blue Book plus advice on how to learn the Knowledge.

When applicants have learnt all the runs they can attend the PCO to be examined on their Knowledge. After a basic written examination applicants are tested by one-to-one interviews (called 'appearances') where they are given the start and finish points of imaginary taxi journeys and have to describe the shortest route between them. A detailed description of the Knowledge of London examination system is available

On average it takes an All London applicant 34 months to learn the Knowledge and pass through the examination process, 26 months for a suburban applicant.

http://www.london.taxi-premier.net/4.html

http://theandersonshelter.blogspot.com/2008/10/madwoman-of-chaillot-pokes-her-nose-in.html

Geely, the Chinese automaker that co-owns the company that produces black London taxis, has met UK government officials about bringing electric-powered cabs to the UK capital.

How long it takes to become a licensed taxi driver depends on whether you want to be an All London driver or a Suburban driver.

London or the suburbs?

All London drivers, also known as Green Badge drivers, need a detailed knowledge of London within a six mile radius of Charing Cross.

Initially there are 320 routes or runs to learn, along with all the places of interest and important landmarks on and around these runs.

It takes between two to four years to learn and pass the All London Knowledge. Once you are licensed you can work anywhere in the Greater London area.

Suburban

Suburban drivers, or Yellow Badge drivers, need to choose from one of the nine suburban sectors and know between 30 and 51 runs in detail, depending on their chosen sector, and all places of interest and important landmarks on those runs.

It takes around two years to become a licensed Suburban taxi driver. Once qualified you can only work in the sector you are licensed for.

You can find out more about the two types of licence available on the Licence types page. 

Knowledge makes your brain grow

The brain will grow as you learn and put into practice the Knowledge, says research by the Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience.

On scanning the brains of 16 London taxi drivers, who had spent an average of two years learning the Knowledge, they found they had a larger right hippocampus than control subjects.

Find out more on the study on the Wellcome Trust website.

See also: http://www.londontaxiknowledge.co.uk

Why Use a Taxi Firm?
Taxis and private hire vehicles now offer an invaluable service to those people who need to get to work on time, who prefer not to drive at times or who don?t have a car or can?t drive. Using a taxi or hired car helps avoid using trains, tubes and buses, all of which may come with congestion, difficulties and delays. Many taxi firms allow the setting up of accounts or ongoing arrangements for regular journeys.

There are hundreds of taxi firms that provide transportation services to major airports, including Heathrow, Manchester, and Birmingham Airports, Gatwick Airport, Leeds Bradford Airport, Newcastle Airport, Luton Airport, Edinburgh Airport and Aberdeen Airport from a home, hotel or other location. Using a taxi means no worries about traffic delays, parking, or timely arrival. If using a taxi to catch a flight make sure to book a pick-up time well in advance of the check-in time. Taxis also provide transportation between airports for connecting flights. Taking a taxi to the airport is convenient and cost effective.

Alternatively, when on holiday, a car hire firm may be more suitable — especially if there a few days free to explore surroundings, discover hidden sights and visit secluded villages, for example. Many will offer a free service to pick up and drop back at the airport if the car is hired for a week or more. This option allows time to explore at a leisurely pace. Prices start from ?30-?35 per day, depending on the duration of rental and type of vehicle.

How to Choose a Taxi Firm
When hiring a taxi in advance, use one from a reputable firm. Make bookings by phone or have the hotel arrange the hire. There will always be a registered taxi rank inside/just outside airports and train and bus stations. In many cities and towns taxi can be hailed down in the street for short journeys — in others they may have to be picked up at a taxi rank/office. Don?t be tempted to use unlicensed taxis or mini-cabs — especially late at night in pub/club districts — as this can be dangerous.

Care Hire Tips
If hiring a car for a longer journey/longer period then these tips will be useful:
Be sure the taxi or car hire firm carries insurance.
If the vehicle insurance policy is from an EU based insurer (including the UK), it will cover third party insurance in EU countries. But third party cover can be inadequate to cover all costs and it is safer to have more insurance when hiring a car. Check with the insurance company to see that there is adequate cover for the countries involved.
Take photos of the hire car before driving off and make notes on its condition. Before returning the car, take more photos and notes on its condition and sign them. This is valuable evidence should any dispute arise. The hire company should also note the condition of the car on the contract.
If an accident occurs, get a written estimate of the repair costs. Check with the hire company as to what to do next, but a written estimate should help avoid disputes regarding repair costs.
Return the car on time.
Check all paperwork and ask for a copy of the final form. Then no one can change the report or charge extra later. Check the contract thoroughly and ask for explanations of anything that is not clear. Be aware of extra costs like petrol/mileage, child seats and taxes.
Choosing a Taxi Firm Online
There are advantages to choosing a taxi firm online:
Price quotes are provided in advance via e-mail or the website.
No queues.
Ensures dealing with a known taxi firm.
No need to worry about language barriers.
Convenience.
Trade Bodies
There are many trade bodies/associations for taxi and private hire vehicle services including:
The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA)
The London Motor Cab Proprietors' Association (LMCPA). Contact the LMCPA on Tel 020 7275 7589.
The Licensed Private Hire Car Association (LPHCA)
The National Private Hire Association (NPHA). Contact the NPHA on Tel 0161 280 2800.
The National Taxi Association
Setting Up a Taxi Account
By using a taxi firm consistently, they will get to know the journeys made regularly by the passengers and any needs they may have. Sometimes discounts are offered for regular use or regular trips. This also saves paying for a taxi as it is used as it will be charged to the account to be settled up later. Make sure to have the contract read thoroughly by an appropriate person in the company to check it is OK. Most importantly, do check that the firm is registered with an appropriate association and that they have full insurance cover. This will save time, hassle, and money.

Consider using a taxi firm or car hire for transportation instead of driving or using trains, the tube or buses. This could save a lot of hassle, time and money in the long run.

Yes the dreaded Rickshaw plague's the streets of Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Regent street blocking junctions, bus lanes, and impeding the flow of traffic within this busy part of London and therefore negating any tangible green credentials they ever claimed to have.

Rickshaws operate in London due to the lack of will within our Parliament and at City Hall under the last Mayor Ken Livingstone. Rickshaws offer no protection from collision and will never be able to accommodate disabled passengers in wheelchairs or with guide/assistance dogs.

Only last year Transport for London via the Public Carriage Office produced a glossy consultation document with the sole purpose of defining Rickshaws has "non motorised London Taxi-cabs", this consultation process stalled due to problems regarding previous legal definition's of rickshaws. How could anybody honestly think a rickshaw is a London taxi-cab?

Something is wrong with politics within certain bodies within London and a more sensible approach to this problem by Mayor Boris Johnson.

A very simple workable solution would be to confine rickshaws to the Royal Park's where traffic levels are lower and road space is available, this would reduce the chances of collision and improve traffic flows within the West End of London.The difficult question is "where do you put a wheelchair or guide dog"?

To grant exemption from the disability discrimination act would be a dangerous precedent to set so maybe the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association "Ban don't Licence" campaign is the only course of action left.

http://www.thelondondailynews.com/death-traps-london-streets-p-990.html
 
 
 

While London black cab drivers share an ability to recount tall tales, Dominic Shannon is in the rare position of being able to back his up with photographs. For the past nine years Mr Shannon has taken a series of pictures while he ferried people around London.

What began as an insurance measure, when he bought a disposable camera so that he could provide proof for accident claims, has grown into a vast documentation of life on the streets of the capital.

Mr Shannon, 39, has accumulated thousands of photographs, from tourists standing in heavy rain outside the main attractions in the city to homeless men sleeping on benches as workers rush past.

“I see everything from my seat, so I just kept snapping. I love this city, there's loads going on and I'm never short of a photograph. Every cabbie has got a story, but I'm the only one who has photos to prove mine,” he told The Times.

One passenger had been at the hairdresser when it started to rain. Because she did not have an umbrella she took off her shirt and used it to protect her hair when she ran from the taxi.

“I thought 'What are you like?'”, Mr Shannon said. “What's more important, getting your hair wet or showing your taxi driver and the neighbours your smalls?”

Many passengers were impressed by the quality of the pictures, which led to his first exhibition in Camden, North London, this month. Mr Shannon has talked to a publisher about creating a book of his photographs, which are to be included in another London exhibition this year.

Although he has moved into digital photography, Mr Shannon is content with a £150 camera instead of expensive equipment. “Point and shoot, that's all I need. I wouldn't know what to do with all those lenses. That's what the concept is. It's a bit rough. That's why it's different,” he said.

Some of his images show the darker side of London life: a drunk sprawled in the back seat of his taxi, a homeless man passed out in his own urine with an empty bottle of cider next to him, a man with a bloody nose after being in a fight.

Most capture the diversity that distinguishes London: autumn colours in Kensington Gardens, landmarks bathed in sunshine, a tattoed man at Camden Lock, taxis lined up outside Westminster Abbey. “I think it really shows what London is all about: from new buildings to old, posh people to street people, Soho against churches,” he said.

At first Mr Shannon, who has lived in the same street in Somers Town his entire life, was taken aback when he was approached about exhibiting his work. “I thought it was crazy. Now the other guys call me cabarazzi, or Digital Dom,” he said.

He will not be giving up his day job, however. “I love it. I meet so many interesting people and I love to have a chat. I'm not one of those cabbies that drives people mad, though. I'll give them space, but if someone wants to have a chat, I'll talk for England,” he added.

Driving ambition

— Taxi drivers who have also succeeded in alternative careers:

— Clive Efford The Labour MP for Eltham put his taxi up for sale when he was elected to Parliament in 1997

— Brian Hall The actor, best known for his role as Terry the eccentric cook in Fawlty Towers, became a taxi driver for several years after school before a chance meeting with his future agent

— Fred Housego Became a television personality and presenter after winning Mastermind, the BBC television quiz programme, in 1980. He continued to drive a cab throughout his subsequent media career

— Joe Janiak An Australian taxi driver who is the owner and trainer of Takeover Target, a racehorse that has performed well in Britain, including at Ascot

— Simon Khan An English golfer who turned professional in 1991

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4369025.ece