Please Click On The Questions.


What are the age limits?

A :   By law you can't hold a txi cab driver's license until you are 21yrs old. No application for an "All London" license will be considered before you are 20yrs and 3mths old.You must be at least 21yrs old before you can apply for a suburban license.There Are No Exceptions.


What does it mean, I must be of good character?

A :  The Licensing Authority must be fully satisfied that you are competent to hold a license. This will be done for every applicant, this is done by way of  a criminal record check and will carried out before a taxi cab driver's license can be issued. if you have any convictions it is advisable that you disclose all of them on your application form. If you do have convictions this does not mean you cannot hold a license, it depends on the offence and sentence imposed. You must disclose all current convictions, ie those which have not become spent under the rehibilition of offenders act, 1974, and any charges/sommonses outstanding against you. If you fail to disclose current convictions this will most likely result in your application being turned down.

Do I need to be fit?

A :  Yes, as a professional taxi driver carrying passengers for hire and reward, The Licensing Authority has decided that a higher standard of medical fitness is acheived than that needed for a standard DVLA license. Every applicant is required to have a medical report form ( issued by the Carriage Office) completed by their doctor, the doctor must have had medical record for the last 12mths. This report will cost between £40 and £50 and is payable to your doctor.

Are there any medical conditions that will effect me getting a license?

A : Yes, although we cannot cover all possibilities here some of the following can result an application being refused.

1.  Epilepsy.

2.  Insulin dependent diabetes.

3.  Any progrssive illness.

4.  Severe mental handicap.

5.  Heart problems.

6.  Neurological or neurosurgical disorders.

7.  An certain prescibed condintions.

Do I need to know the whole of London?

A :  No, You can choose to study for the " All London" license, this means you need to have a detailed knowledge of 25,000 streets within a six mile radius of charing cross coupled with a more general knowledge of the major arterial route throughout the rest of London. you cannot work as a taxi driver in central London or Heathrow airport without the "ALL London" license. As an alternative you can study for the suburban license, this is divided into 16 sectors outside the six mile radius. You will need to have a detailed knowledge of you chosen sector and a more general knowledge of central London. You can add more sectors once you have been licensed.

Who, trains me, is it the Carriage Office?

A :  No, the Carriage Office just test you on your knowledge of London to confirm that you have reached the required standard.

How do I learn "The Knowledge"?

A :  If you are excepted then you are invited to attend the Carriage Office with other applicants and given an introducory talk by a Knowledge of London Examiner. At this talk you will given "The Blue Book" that has 400 routes or "Runs", if you are studying for the suburban license this will have 30  "Runs". These will provide you with a basic understanding of how to study for the "Knowledge".

Can I just learn the runs?

A :  No, You need to learn buildings and places of interest within a 1/4 mile radius of the start and finish of each run.

How long can I expect to learn "The Knowledge"

A :  This really depends on you but as a guide, you will be looking at between 2-4 years.

How do I get tested?

A :  Over a period of time you are asked to attend a number of 15 minute interviews also known as "Appearances" where you will have to answer questions on how to get from one location to another by the most direct route. You can apply for your first appointment as soon as you feel you have aquired the necessary level of knowledge, for the "All london" license you must apply for an appointment within 2yrs of your initial talk, for the suburban license this is 6mths. If you fail to apply within these times you will have to resubmit an application form and start again.

Do I have to answer the questions in a certain way?

A :  Yes, you need to answer with the standard manner of response to the questions, the correct way to answer is as follows.

1.  Identify the location of the pick up point and the destination.

2.  You must begin the route by saying "leave on the left/right", This is so you know the direction to be travelled, ie, the starting point is on your left/right.

3.  You must then detail the route by naming every street travelled along, identify the direction of travel, plus any traffic schemes ie one way sysyems.

4.  When you arrive at the destination, you need to give the passenger setting down position by saying " set down on the left/right", depending from which direction you approached.

I have a DVLA license, do I still need to take a driving test?

A :  Yes, you will need to be retested, because you will be carrying passengers for hire and reward in a purpose built vehicle, which differs from a standard type of car.t the licensing Authority need to be satisfied that you are competent enough to drive the vehicle safely in a congested city enviroment.

Who tests me?

A :  You will be tested by one of the Public Carriage Office staff who are trained to take tests.

How much do I have to pay for the test?

A :  The fee for the test is the same as for a normal driving test, the fee will be the standard fee at the time for a Department of Transport test.

Can I become a Taxi Driver if I am handicapped?

A :  Yes, depending on your handicapp, as long as you can pass the driving test, you can use a vehicle that has been specially adapted for your handicapp, as long it has been modified to approved standards of safety.

What sort of thing will I have to pay for?

A :  The costs that you will incur while doing your knowledge are.

1.  Medical report from GP.

2.  Cost of driving test.

You will also have to take into account, the cost of purchasing or hiring a moped to do the knowledge, petrol, insurance,  helmet waterproofs, maps, Knowledge school fees ( if you decide to join one) driving lessons and the hire of a taxi to take you test in, and finally the fee for a taxi Cab Driver's License.

How do I apply to become a Licensed Taxi driver?

A :  You can obtain an application form from :

the Public Carriage Office
15, Penton Street
London
N1 9PU

You should attend the Public Carriage Office between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays). Make sure you have answered all the questions and make sure you have signed  and dated both the form and the declaration, also you must bring with you:

1.  Your Birth Certificate.*

2.  Your DVLA driver's license (Full) with your current address.

3.  If you are a married woman you must bring your marriage certifcate.

4.  If your name has channged other than by marriage, then bring the appropriate documentation.


* If you cannot produce your birth certificate then  full current British passport will do, if your birth certificate is not in English then bring you current valid passport. If you are not a British citizen or an EEC national, your passport must have an "indefinate stay" stamp.A certificate of baptism is not acceptable.

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