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| 160 Years Of The Knowledge - TfL image |
For over 160 years, the ‘Knowledge of London’ has been the gold standard of professional navigation, but in the age of GPS, some questioned its future. However, new data from Transport for London (TfL) reveals a surprising resurgence. With applications up nearly 70 per cent since 2022 and completion times dropping from five years to just three, the iconic black cab trade is entering a new era of efficiency. As TfL celebrates this historic milestone, the London taxi remains not just a symbol of the past, but a high-tech, highly skilled pillar of the city’s modern transport network.
TfL press release:
• Applications to start Knowledge of London up 68.6 per cent, from 440 in 2022 to 742 at the end of November 2025
• Average time required to complete ‘the Knowledge’ down from 5.25 years in 2020 to 3 years in 2025
• TfL continues modernising process of globally respected qualification for London’s licensed taxi drivers to attract new entrants to the trade
Transport for London (TfL) is celebrating the 160th anniversary of the Knowledge of London, the world-renowned test of geographical mastery required to become a licensed London taxi driver. Since its introduction in 1865, the Knowledge has stood as a symbol of dedication, expertise and service to Londoners.
TfL has seen a significant rise in applications, with numbers increasing from 440 in 2022 to 742 to the end of November 2025 – a 68.6 per cent increase, on track to be the highest number in a decade. This growth reflects renewed interest in the profession and follows recent Knowledge process updates aimed at making it more accessible and appealing to a wider range of people. The changes also enable dedicated applicants to progress by reducing the time between examinations called 'appearances'.
Earlier this year, TfL set out a new plan to enable the capital’s taxi trade and private hire industry to meet the challenges of the next five years. The new Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan outlines 14 measures designed to support services, drive positive change across the industry and ensure it continues to deliver excellent service for Londoners.
The Knowledge has continually evolved to stay relevant in a city that is constantly changing, and the new measures form part of the commitments outlined in TfL’s Action Plan. Although the process looks very different from how it did 160 years ago, it continues to ensure that drivers are fully equipped to help Londoners travel across the city every day, and TfL remains committed to keeping the Knowledge relevant for the future.
The average time required to complete the Knowledge test has fallen significantly, dropping from 5.25 years in 2020 to 3 years in 2025. This reduction reflects the impact of measures set out in TfL’s Action Plan, which have streamlined the process while maintaining its rigorous standards. Shorter completion times not only make the profession more accessible to new entrants but also help ensure that London’s taxi trade can continue to attract and retain talent in a competitive transport market. They also highlight the dedication and hard work of applicants, whose commitment remains central to the lasting reputation of the Knowledge.
As of November 2025, there are 1,390 candidates actively undertaking the Knowledge, demonstrating both the prestige of the qualification and the growing appeal of a career in the capital’s taxi industry. This increase in participation highlights the effectiveness of TfL’s strategy and signals a strong pipeline of future drivers ready to serve Londoners in the years ahead. London’s licensed taxi services play an essential role in London’s green and sustainable transport network – providing a vital, accessible service for Londoners and visitors alike, particularly for passengers that cannot travel on public transport.
The origins of London’s taxi system stretch back to 1865, though its exact beginnings remain uncertain. Some historians believe it was inspired by the Great Exhibition of 1851 at the Crystal Palace, when visitors complained about hackney carriage drivers’ poor grasp of the capital’s streets. Out of this concern grew the famous Knowledge test. During the process, learners are referred to as 'knowledge boys' or 'knowledge girls' and spend months riding across London, memorising hundreds of routes. Research by University College London even found that licensed taxi drivers developed a larger hippocampus - the part of the brain responsible for converting short-term memories into long-term ones - as a result of mastering such a complex navigation system.
The Knowledge continues to prove itself as one of the most accessible qualifications in the country. Remarkably, the youngest and oldest applicants achieved success in the same year: 72 year old Peter Laszlo from Fulham, who proudly earned his badge after mastering London’s routes on his bicycle, and 20 year old Connor Dill from Bromley, the youngest applicant to pass this year, who is awaiting his 21st birthday before officially qualifying. Connor also documents his journey on Instagram at @ConnorTheCabDriver, providing valuable insight into the dedication required to reach this milestone. These achievements highlight the inclusivity of the system, which welcomes candidates of all ages, backgrounds, and educational experiences.
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From Scotland Yard to TfL: A Century of Regulation
For centuries, authority over London’s for-hire transport was a matter of public order, moving from royal proclamations in the 1600s to the Metropolitan Police in 1869. For over 130 years, ‘Scotland Yard’, through the Public Carriage Office (PCO), was the sole arbiter of the trade, establishing the rigorous vehicle standards and ‘Knowledge’ testing that defined the black cab’s global reputation. During this era, Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) operated largely without regulation, existing in a legal grey area as they did not ‘ply for hire’ on the street.
The modern era began in 2000, when the Greater London Authority Act transferred all licensing powers from the police to the newly formed TfL. This transition brought taxis and PHVs under a single statutory body for the first time, following the 1998 Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act which finally mandated that minicab operators and drivers meet strict safety and licensing criteria. Today, TfL remains the sole authority, balancing the historical prestige of the taxi trade with the regulation of a massive, technology-driven PHV market.
The London Taxi: Why the Iconic Black Cab Remains the Gold Standard
While the rise of app-based PHVs like Uber and Bolt has changed how many people navigate the capital, the traditional London taxi—the world-famous black cab—remains an indispensable part of the city’s transport network. For passengers prioritising speed, accessibility, and expert knowledge, the black cab offers several unique advantages that PHVs simply cannot match.
1. Speed and Efficiency: The Bus Lane Advantage
In a city as congested as London, time is the most valuable commodity. One of the greatest legal advantages a black cab has over a PHV is access to certain bus lanes. While PHVs are treated as private cars and must remain in standard traffic, licensed taxis can bypass queues by using most of the city’s dedicated bus lanes. During peak hours, this can often halve the journey time through central London.
2. Navigation: "The Knowledge" vs. The Sat-Nav
While PHV drivers rely almost exclusively on GPS technology, every black cab driver has passed ‘The Knowledge’. This rigorous test requires drivers to memorise over 25,000 streets and 20,000 landmarks within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross.
• Dynamic Re-routing: Unlike a sat-nav, which may be slow to react to sudden roadworks or accidents, a cabbie’s mental map allows them to divert instantly through side streets and ‘rat runs’ to keep the passenger moving.
• Direct Communication: Passengers can simply name an obscure theatre, hotel, or pub, and the driver will know exactly where it is without needing to type a postcode into a screen.
3. Universal Accessibility and Design
The London taxi is a purpose-built vehicle, designed specifically for the urban environment.
• 100% Wheelchair Accessible: By law, every single black cab in London is wheelchair accessible, featuring integrated ramps and safety restraints. For PHVs, passengers often have to specifically request a larger vehicle and wait longer for it to arrive.
• The Turning Circle: Cabs are engineered with a 25-foot (7.6m) turning circle. This allows them to perform a U-turn in a single manoeuvre on narrow London streets where a standard PHV would be forced into a time-consuming three-point turn.
• Capacity: Most modern cabs (such as the electric LEVC TX) seat up to six passengers in a face-to-face "vis-à-vis" layout, making them superior for groups and business meetings.
• The Protective Partition: Safety and Privacy Every London taxi is equipped with a factory-fitted, transparent partition screen that separates the driver and passenger compartments, a feature not found as standard in most Private Hire Vehicles. This robust barrier provides essential physical security for the driver and creates a private, hygienic "passenger bubble" by isolating airflow—a vital benefit for health-conscious or vulnerable travellers. To maintain seamless service, these partitions are integrated with a digital intercom system that often includes a hearing induction loop, ensuring that communication remains clear and accessible for all passengers.
4. Transparent, Surge-Free Pricing
One of the most significant frustrations with PHVs is ‘surge pricing’. During heavy rain, rail strikes, or high-demand periods, app-based fares can double or triple.
• Regulated Tariffs: Black cab fares are strictly regulated by TfL. While there are different tariffs for nights and weekends, the rate remains consistent regardless of how many people are trying to book a ride.
• The Meter: With a calibrated taximeter, passengers can see exactly how much the journey is costing in real-time, providing a level of transparency that upfront "estimated" app fares sometimes lack.
5. Legal Flexibility: Hail and Ride
Finally, the black cab offers the ultimate convenience of spontaneity. Taxis are the only vehicles permitted to "ply for hire"—meaning you can hail them from the pavement when the yellow "TAXI" sign is lit or pick one up instantly from a taxi rank. PHVs must be pre-booked via an app or phone; picking up a passenger from the street is illegal for a PHV and renders their insurance void.
6. Subsidised Travel: The Taxicard Scheme and Disabled Concessions
For residents with serious mobility or visual impairments, the black cab is a vital link to the city via the London Taxicard scheme. This initiative, funded by London’s local authorities and Transport for London, provides significantly subsidised door-to-door transport.
• Integrated Subsidies: While some PHV firms participate in the scheme, the black cab is the primary vehicle for Taxicard users due to its universal accessibility. Members pay a small flat fare (typically around £4.20 in 2025), and the council pays a substantial subsidy for the remainder of the journey.
• "Double Swiping": In certain London boroughs, Taxicard holders can "double swipe" their card, combining two trip subsidies for a single longer journey. This flexibility, paired with the cab’s ability to use bus lanes, makes the scheme a more efficient and affordable alternative to standard private hire apps for those with limited mobility.
• Ease of Access: Unlike Uber or Bolt, where a passenger may have to navigate a complex app to find a specifically accessible vehicle, a Taxicard holder can hail a passing black cab on the street or use a dedicated rank, knowing every vehicle is legally equipped to assist them.
7. Exemptions from Congestion and Tunnel Charges
The regulatory distinction between the two services is also reflected in London's road user charges. black cabs are fully exempt from the Congestion Charge and the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges at all times. For PHVs, the rules are more complex:
• Most standard PHVs must pay both the Congestion Charge and the tunnel fees.
• However, PHVs designated as Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) are exempt from both charges when carrying out a booking.
• Additionally, zero-emission capable (ZEC) PHVs are exempt from the tunnel charges whilst on a booking, though they remain liable for the Congestion Charge unless eligible for other specific discounts.
Conclusion
While the landscape of London’s transport continues to shift with the rise of app-based services, the black cab stands apart through its unique combination of legal privilege and technical mastery. From the ‘bus lane advantage’ to the intuitive navigation of a driver’s mental map, the benefits of the London taxi are as practical as they are prestigious. As applications to the trade reach a decade-high and completion times fall, the future of the black cab looks as bright as its 160-year history. It remains not just a symbol of London, but its most efficient way to travel.
Transport for London Have Your Say: TfL is consulting on 2025/26 taxi fare options and possible new London City Airport charges. It seeks views on balancing fair pay for drivers with affordability for passengers. Consultation ends 14 December 2025. haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/taxi-fares-r...
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) November 3, 2025 at 5:21 PM
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