Taxis in London - World's Best

Taxis in London? You Get What You Pay For and A Whole Lot More!

(photo via "Transport For London")

Unlike most taxicabs around the world, to become a licensed taxicab driver in London involves strict background review, The Knowledge"** and testing exams of the "knowledge-level."  Most future-drivers take an average of 34-months to pass the final exam.  London has the most demanding training course for taxicab drivers in the entire world.

Once a passenger requests a destination a cab driver must immediately make decisions as to what routes to take, including figuring in traffic conditions, without relying on maps,GPS, or contacting a controller by radio dispatch.

"The Knowledge of London Examination System," unofficially know as "The Knowledge," is the indepth study of required information to drivers must know before being issued a license. This knowledge-system was established in 1865, and little has changed since.  This type of training produces a driver who is an expert about London, and, thus, gives the driver an intimacy with the city "no technology can achieve."

"The Knowledge" includes all 320 standard routes (runs) through Central London, 25,000 streets in a six-mile radius from 'Charing Cross," points-of-interest along these routes, including the streets, squares, clubs, hospitals,hotels, theatres, embassies, government and public buildings, railway stations, police stations, courts, diplomatic buildings, important places of worship, cemeteries, crematoria, parks and open spaces, sports and leisure centers, places of learning, restaurants and historic buildings.  Other details included number of signals along each route, airport knowledge and list of theaters.

No matter where in the world you hail-a-cab, at sometime or another you always wonder about the driver; will you get a good rate, will you get ripped off, does the driver know where he's going, or does he know the shortest route?

But, London?  You'll never have to worry.  You'll have all the time to think about your agenda, and not the drivers.  In London, unlike any other place in the world, you'll be riding with a trained tourist-professional with only one job, getting you to your destination on time, on the shortest route, in a safe (inspected twice yearly) vehicle, and be able to answer all your questions along the way.

Since 3 July 2000, "Transport For London" has been the UK Government agency which oversees all ground transportation in London.  Like its American counterparts it oversees trains, buses, and trams.  Added to the normal mix of what a transportation overseer or "authority" regulates, in London, the authority is extended to cover taxicab and private vehicles for hire.

(photo via "Transport For London")

In the City of London regulated vehicles-for-hire has been conducted by the Public Carriage Office (PCO) since 1850.

Unlike most taxicabs around the world, to become a licensed taxicab driver in London involves strict background review, The Knowledge"** and testing exams of the "knowledge-level."  Most future-drivers take an average of 34-months to pass the final exam.  London has the most demanding training course for taxicab drivers in the entire world.

** The KnowledgeOnce a passenger requests a destination a cab driver must immediately make decisions as to what routes to take, including figuring in traffic conditions, without relying on maps,GPS, or contacting a controller by radio dispatch.

"The Knowledge of London Examination System," unofficially know as "The Knowledge," is the indepth study of required information to drivers must know before being issued a license. This knowledge-system was established in 1865, and little has changed since.  This type of training produces a driver who is an expert about London, and, thus, gives the driver an intimacy with the city "no technology can achieve."

"The Knowledge" includes all 320 standard routes (runs) through Central London, 25,000 streets in a six-mile radius from 'Charing Cross," points-of-interest along these routes, including the streets, squares, clubs, hospitals,hotels, theatres, embassies, government and public buildings, railway stations, police stations, courts, diplomatic buildings, important places of worship, cemeteries, crematoria, parks and open spaces, sports and leisure centers, places of learning, restaurants and historic buildings.  Other details included number of signals along each route, airport knowledge and list of theaters.

No matter where in the world you hail-a-cab, at sometime or another you always wonder about the driver; will you get a good rate, will you get ripped off, does the driver know where he's going, or does he know the shortest route?  But, London?  You'll never have to worry.  You'll have all the time to think about you agenda, and not the drivers.  In London, unlike any other place in the world, you'll be riding with a trained tourist-professional with only one job, getting you to your destination on time, on the shortest route, in a safe (inspected twice yearly) vehicle, and be able to answer all your questions along the way.

Since 3 July 2000, "Transport For London" has been the UK Government agency which oversees all ground transportation in London.  Like its American counterparts it oversees trains, buses, and trams.  Added to the normal mix of what a transportation overseer or "authority" regulates, in London, the authority is extended to cover taxicab and private vehicles for hire, including Minicabs.

In the City of London regulated vehicles-for-hire has been conducted by the Public Carriage Office (PCO) since 1850.

The Public Carriage Office (PCO) licenses the familiar London Black Cabs, as, well, as mini-cabs, or, private hire vehicles. The first cabs to appear in London were discarded coaches of aristocratic families, complete with the families' coat of arms, became the first hackney carriages available for hire.

Following the English hackney carriages came the French hackney carriage or cabriolet ("cab"). The French versions appeared around 1620.

In 1850, the Metropolitan Police took control of taxicabs through the formation of the Public Carriage Office. 1897, saw the introduction of the first horseless cab with the introduction of the Bersey Electric Powered Vehicle and the first gas-powered vehicle in 1903.. There were 11,000 licensed horse-drawn cabs in the same year, with the last one being removed from service in 1947.

Today, the Public Carriage Office of Transport For London regulates and licenses over 20,000 for-hire vehicles. The "Private Hire Vehicles Act 1998" expanded the role of the PCO to include the licensing of private hire operators, drivers and vehicles, bringing the capital up-to-date with the rest of England and Wales.

The purpose of regulation is to give passengers confidence, when they use a licensed private-hire operator, that they are dealing with an honest, professional organization with reliable drivers and safe vehicles.

(image via Wikipedia)

All legal licensed taxis are affixed with the plate on the right.

I think its important to note the fact there are illegal taxis and minicabs operating in London.  The illegals, operate especially at night, around bars and clubs.  London has experienced women being assaulted, and, some raped by these illegal operators.  In 2003, the average number of assaults by these illegal taxis and minicabs occurred at a rate which averaged 11 per month.  The PCO, Metro Police, and legal operators STRONGLY ADVISE you pay attention and make sure your ride is legal.

During 2009, the PCO and Metro conducted regular stings aimed at taking the illegals off the road.  Minicabs also display stickers on the front and back windows in the shape of the familiar London Underground insignia.

Insignia of the London Underground (photo via Google)

And if by chance you ever become concerned about your taxi ride in London? Simply, call the "Transport For London" office:  (the following information is furnished by "Transport For London.")

Passengers wishing to submit a comment or complaint about taxi or private hire services in London should use the online form or use the contact details below:

Tel: 0845 300 7000 (08:00-20:00 Monday to Friday)

Textphone: 020 7918 4435 (08:00-20:00 Monday to Friday)

Fax: 020 7027 9914

Email: coms@pco.org.uk

Post:  Surface Customer Services, 4th floor, Zone G7, Palestra, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ

General queries (not comments or complaints about taxi or private hire services) should be sent to TPH.enquiries@tfl.gov.uk