What it takes to become a London Black Cab Driver

A London Black Taxi Cab is one of the icons of the city of London, they can generally be found all across London and they drivers are some of the most interesting people you will ever come across. The taxi cabs are often black but now in a bid to increase revenue, many are sponsored by companies to have their logo’s and colours splashed upon them so many Black Taxi’s are now longer very black at all. You should always ensure you get into a conversation with your Black Taxi Cab Driver as they will often have some great stories to share with you and often can provide small tours while on their way to your destination.

London Black Taxi / Photo by Jimmy Barrett

So what does it take to become a Black Cab Taxi Driver?

With over 24,000 black taxi’s in London you can feel safe in the knowledge that wherever you are in London chances are a taxi isn’t far from you. Not anyone can become a taxi driver with this company in London, you have to undergo a very rigorous training process, often referred to as “The Knowledge”. Many taxi drivers spend up to 4 years training to become a London Black Taxi Driver as they have to learn where almost everything is in London and the best possible way to get there, including in the event of diversions!

One of the reasons it can take a lot of time, effort and money to become a London Black Taxi Driver is because it means that only “Suitable People” can make the grade and as such an iconic part of London they do not want people to feel worried stepping into a London taxi.

Other London Taxi Services

There are London Minicab drivers often also seen around London, but you need to be wary taking these. They are often un-trained, unlicensed and we would never recommend taking one of these alone. A lot of minicab drivers do not know London very well and you can also find that they do not have meters, if this is the case then ensure you agree the price before you start your journey.  You should also remember that many of these drivers often state their first price at approx 25% higher than the fare they are willing to accept so be sure to haggle with them to get the right price. Finally, always let someone know when you are getting a minicab and even text them the number plate just to be safe.

For more information on seeing London visit http://www.sightseeingtourslondon.com, they offer guided tours across London and across the UK click here for more details on their UK tours.

Tags: black cab, black taxi, city of london, colours, journey, money, taxi cabs, taxi driver, taxi drivers, time effort

Category: Travel Tips, United Kingdom