London Taxi Drivers – The Knowledge

As I am sure you are aware, working as a London taxi driver requires you to pass The Knowledge London test, often referred to simply as ‘the knowledge’. This test is like no other in the UK requiring immense amounts of study and dedication.

I have the utmost respect for London cabbies knowing what they have to go through to get their green badge. Having a couple of friends who are working as taxi drivers in London, I can safely say that I am glad I didn’t have to sit the knowledge test! There are 400 runs (routes) as mentioned in the Public

Carriage Office "Guide to Learning the Knowledge of London" (the 'Blue Book') and more than 1000 pubs bars and clubs in central London. There is a written test and you will also be tested ‘one to one’ in interviews called ‘appearances’.

Helpful Learning Resources...

You will need to exercise your memory to make the most of your study time, some prospective cabbies also drive The Knowledge London routes on mopeds because driving the routes allow you to visually remember them, this is the best way to learn. Either way you wil need some learning resources.

There is a CD information pack full of loads of good info and resources you can print off and use on the computer, you can order it online and it is called 'Become a London Taxi Cab Driver' (links below) ...I first found out about this via a friend who has since passed the knowledge and is now working as a full time black cab driver. I have had a chance to look at the materials myself and it is a very useful and comprehensive tool to have as an aid to your study and for mock testing yourself.

Features include...

• Essential information about the Knowledge
• The eligibility requirements
• How and where to apply
• The History of the Black Cab
• Completing the Application Form correctly
• What the selection process involves
• Actual Interview questions
• Advice on how to tackle the Blue Book Runs
• Where to find FREE information and resources
• Complete list of points
• Complete runs
• 30,000 points in text format
• Sample blank maps

In Summary...

This information is spot on and is just what you need... highly recommended by colleagues, especially as it costs so little at the moment. Doing the knowledge in London really requires all the help you can get so the sample maps are very useful, the complete runs and list of points are invaluable as are the interview questions. There are loads of links and tips on how to find free information. There is also a free bonus CD included at the moment on how to pass your interview - I cannot comment on that part as I have not seen it, but the price is right! ;-)

Click Pic or Link Below...

Click Here: www.how2become.co.uk

Safe driving peeps!

If you buy dont forget to leave your comments below.

p.s. i had a link to an old online the knowledge London taxi mock test. will post here if i remember.

Voucher Code 10% off Discount @ Taxi-Mart.co.uk

Just a quick update, Taxi-mart.co.uk have an online shop that sells pretty much every accessories you could need for your taxi... Car vacuum cleaners, money belts, sick bags, door guards (to protect against careless idiots) , CarPoint seatbelt stoppers, portable toilets, she-wee, coin dispensers, receipt books....etc....etc ....and a load of other stuff that I don’t have the will to list here.

Taxi-Mart has a juicy 10% discount voucher code which could save you a good few quid. When you go through to check out on their site, use this code:

TMS-02

There is no expiry date for this code so it should last forever.

Rent or Buy your Taxi?

This is a question I am often asked and my answer is always the same, if you are going private hire you should rent first buy later. A lot of the time my advice falls on deaf ears for the simple reason that once someone falls in love with the idea of buying their own shiny new car then there is no telling them otherwise.

I will be honest; lot of people go and but their own car and never look back but the main reasons I say you should rent are:

If you are not in a good financial position the last thing you need in more financial commitments, renting will help you build up some cash.

You never know how you will react to driving a taxi, some love it some detest it... You will not know your genuine feelings for weeks or months. It’s much harder to quit with debts hanging over your head.

You have much more flexibility to work if you rent, if you buy a car on finance the bills don’t stop when you have a week off.

Renting often works out at the same cost as buying a new car. My Skoda cost £210 a week to run excluding petrol, to rent the same car from the operator costs £200 so you see there is not much in it.

If you are convinced you want to buy a car or you have tried rentals and it’s time to move on then I would recommend you buy a second hand car, try to keep below £5000. And either pay cash or spread term of the loan so your repayments are lower, I would aim for no more than £160 per month. After all, this will be deducted from your overall income. Try to avoid hire purchase as its very hard/impossible to get out of the agreement and they will have no sympathy if you struggle to make repayments.
It’s worth remembering that some councils require your car to me no older than 3 years.

My Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDi Taxi

Someone emailed me to ask what car i drive so here is my badboy, Skoda Octavia 1.9 TD, i can get 55mpg on the motorway and its as reliable as the sunrise. The picture was taken in the Swiss Alps near the boarder of Italy (no it wasn't a fare from heaven, i just whent on a driving holiday!)
I get a few emails every week asking my opinion on this or that car, im no Jeremy Clarkson but if you want my opinion feel free to send me a message... Safe driving!