Post by The Dark Knight on Feb 12, 2024 7:31:35 GMT
The Knowledge is back! Applications for 'world's toughest taxi exam' triple in two years from wannabe cabbies still desperate to be a black cab driver even in an age of satnav... take our interactive quiz to see if YOU can pass the test
London black cabbies could be set for a revival after applications for The Knowledge tripled in two years - despite concerns the world's toughest taxi test could die out.
The challenging exam, which was introduced in 1865, requires drivers to memorise 25,000 streets and 100,000 landmarks within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross.
Successful applicants must learn 320 routes and get through seven stages, with up to a dozen interviews having to be passed during a process taking up to four years.
Fears have been raised in recent years that the test could become extinct, with applications falling 94 per cent in a decade from 3,000 in 2012 to just 174 in 2021.
But numbers are now rising again, with the 2023 total hitting 579 - triple the figure from two years prior, and well above the last pre-pandemic number of 356 in 2019.
The rise appears to be partly down to a scheme launched by mobility app Freenow, which lets passengers hail private hire cars similar to Uber, but also black cabs.
The German-based firm is offering a subsidy allowing its 20,000 private hire drivers to apply for funding to complete the exam, which can cost people up to £10,000.
There are 17,500 taxi drivers in London but the profession has come under strain from Uber
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There are 17,500 taxi drivers in London but the profession has come under strain from Uber
A graph shows how the total of newly-licensed taxi drivers and applications for The Knowledge in London have both been in decline - but the latter is now starting to pick back up again
A graph shows how the total of newly-licensed taxi drivers and applications for The Knowledge in London have both been in decline - but the latter is now starting to pick back up again
The exam requires drivers to memorise 25,000 streets and 100,000 landmarks across London
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View gallery
The exam requires drivers to memorise 25,000 streets and 100,000 landmarks across London
Prospective taxi drivers on bicycles learn The Knowledge at a school in Kennington in 1947
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Prospective taxi drivers on bicycles learn The Knowledge at a school in Kennington in 1947
The rise in applicants for the test is not yet impacting the number of newly-licenced taxi drivers, which fell to just 121 last year, having been at 1,000 as recently as 2013.
How The Knowledge was launched after complaints over poor cab drivers at the Great Exhibition of 1851
The Knowledge is taken by all London cab drivers and is widely seen as the world's toughest taxi test.
The exam dates back more than 150 years to 1865, having been introduced after the Great Exhibition of 1851 at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, which saw many visitors complain about how cab drivers did not know the route.
The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park in 1851
The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park in 1851
Drivers must memorise 25,000 streets and 100,000 landmarks within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross.
They have to learn 320 routes and face up to a dozen interviews during a process taking up to four years.
The test featured in a 1979 TV comedy drama called The Knowledge, written by the late Jack Rosenthal. The cast included his wife Maureen Lipman, Nigel Hawthorne and Mick Ford.
There was also a 1996 BBC Modern Times documentary called Streetwise which followed drivers preparing for the exam. It is still available on iPlayer.
And Channel 4 aired a documentary in April 2017 called The Knowledge: The World's Toughest Taxi Test.
But there will be a time lag for this to have an effect given that Transport for London (TfL), which runs the system, says it generally takes three to four years to complete the test.
The Knowledge was brought in after the landmark Great Exhibition of 1851 at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, which attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors - many of whom then complained about their awful journeys because cab drivers did not know the route.
The test was immortalised in a 1979 TV comedy drama called The Knowledge, written by the late Jack Rosenthal with a cast including his wife Maureen Lipman, Nigel Hawthorne and Mick Ford.
It also featured in a 1996 BBC Modern Times documentary called Streetwise, which followed drivers preparing for the exam and is still available on iPlayer.
Latest TfL data for the week ending February 4 shows there are 17,572 active taxi driver licences - compared to 106,588 private hire driver licences. In 2014, the total was 25,538 for taxi drivers and 78,690 for private hire drivers.
The black cab profession has come under strain in recent years from Uber and other similar hailing apps which offer cheaper rides from private hire drivers.
When passengers request a ride with Freenow, the app gives them an option of a private hire car or a taxi, with the taxi almost always more expensive.
For example, a trip today from High Street Kensington station in West London to Victoria is £13.61 for a private hire car, or £24 to £32 for a black cab.
Freenow and the driver can therefore make more money from a black cab fare – therefore giving both the firm and the driver an incentive to have a black cab.
Its commission rate for black cabs is set at 18 per cent on the fare amount plus any tips. This includes VAT but does not apply to bonuses, tolls and airport fees.
Freenow, which said it was trying to save the black cab industry, launched the scheme last November and it has received 900 applications so far - including 500 in the first 24 hours.
In the last week of January this year, the Knowledge had more applicants than in the whole of January last year.
Freenow is funding the application cost, tuition fee, exams and licensing required with up to £2,000 per driver over a minimum period of two years.
Transport for London (TfL) data on licensing totals for taxi and private hire drivers
Year Taxi Vehicles Taxi Drivers: All London Taxi Drivers: Suburban Taxi Drivers: Total Private hire operators Private hire drivers Private hire vehicles
2009/10 22,445 21,334 3,580 24,914 2,882 59,191 49,355
2010/11 22,558 21,499 3,571 25,070 3,111 61,200 50,663
2011/12 23,099 21,690 3,646 25,336 3,164 64,063 53,960
2023/14 22,168 21,733 3,727 25,460 3,159 66,975 49,854
2013/14 22,810 21,876 3,662 25,538 3,038 65,656 52,811
2014/15 22,500 21,724 3,508 25,232 3,006 78,690 62,724
2015/16 21,759 21,500 3,370 24,870 2,814 101,434 78,139
2016/17 21,300 21,274 3,213 24,487 2,430 117,712 87,409
2017/18 21,026 20,803 3,023 23,826 2,373 113,645 87,921
2018/19 20,136 20,301 2,858 23,159 2,206 106,777 88,113
2019/20 18,504 19,642 2,695 22,337 2,113 111,766 94,712
2020/21 13,461 18,341 2,445 20,786 1,955 105,329 77,726
2021/22 14,695 17,361 2,184 19,486 1,710 99,937 80,857
2022/23 15,130 16,327 1,970 18,297 1,583 101,535 89,709
A passenger entering a taxicab outside the Savoy Theatre in London's West End in 1906
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A passenger entering a taxicab outside the Savoy Theatre in London's West End in 1906
This is what a map of Greater London might look like when being used by a black cab driver
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This is what a map of Greater London might look like when being used by a black cab driver
The firm - which is the first company to offer such a scheme - hopes many drivers will want the prestige of driving a London taxi as well as being able to say they are a black cab driver.
There are also financial incentives, with those driving taxis able to get higher fares than they can take on private hire vehicles as well as premium corporate jobs, and a £900 bonus if they advertise Freenow on the side of their cab.
HOW APPLICATIONS FOR THE KNOWLEDGE ARE BOUNCING BACK
YEAR THE KNOWLEDGE APPLICATIONS NEWLY-LICENSED TAXI DRIVERS
2019 356 393
2020 178 179
2021 174 187
2022 440 197
2023 579 121
An internal survey by the firm of all private hire drivers in London revealed 52 per cent had considered becoming a black cab driver, and 49 per cent think the Knowledge should be made simpler.
Some 40 per cent thought passing the Knowledge should take less time, while 34 per cent said they would consider doing the Knowledge if financial support was available.
The test is known to be extremely challenging, and Mayor Sadiq Khan revealed in 2021 that the drop-out rate was about 70 per cent – a figure which he said had been 'consistent for many years'.
Mr Khan added that most applicants who do not continue do so at an 'early stage of the process'.
Mariusz Zabrocki, general manager of Freenow UK, said: 'Our goal is to support our drivers to thrive within the industry. The applications for black cab licences have dropped from over 3,000 in 2011/12 to just 221 in 2022.
The test was immortalised in a 1979 television comedy drama called The Knowledge (pictured)
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The test was immortalised in a 1979 television comedy drama called The Knowledge (pictured)
The 1979 television drama The Knowledge starred Nigel Hawthorne as examiner Mr Burgess
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The 1979 television drama The Knowledge starred Nigel Hawthorne as examiner Mr Burgess
Maureen Lipman
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Mick Ford
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The cast of 1979 drama The Knowledge included Maureen Lipman (left) and Mick Ford (right)
'We want to help reignite the industry by supporting experienced and knowledgeable private hire vehicle drivers to progress in their careers and help them complete their studies through financial aid and learning support.
Try these 10 questions to see if you can compete with London cabbies
1) What bridge is the quickest way to get from Pedlar's Park to Bessborough Gardens?
Lambeth Bridge
Chelsea Bridge
Vauxhall Bridge
Westminster Bridge
2) On what road is the main entrance to the Harold Pinter Theatre?
Panton Street
Oxendon Street
Haymarket
Orange Street
3) What is the main road between West Kensington and Barons Court stations?
A3220
A4
A315
A308
4) What is the name of the park directly to the south of Mornington Crescent station?
St Martin's Gardens
Brill Place
Camden Square Park
Harrington Square Gardens
5) What is the average maximum time it takes to get from Lord's Cricket Ground to Waterloo station during the evening rush hour?
35 minutes
45 minutes
55 minutes
65 minutes
6) Which main London rail terminal would you need to take someone wanting to get a train to Upminster?
Liverpool Street
Marylebone
Fenchurch Street
Cannon Street
7) Where in London is the Sun In The Sands roundabout?
Blackheath
Ealing
Bermondsey
Plaistow
8) On what road is the Imperial War Museum?
Cromwell Road
Exhibition Road
Lambeth Road
Brompton Road
9) Where is Hammersmith Hospital?
Fulham
Chelsea
Shepherd's Bush
White City
10) On which road in Soho is the Dog And Duck pub?
Bateman Street
Dean Street
Wardour Street
Old Compton Street
ANSWERS: 1) Vauxhall Bridge, 2) Panton Street, 3) A4, 4) Harrington Square Gardens, 5) 55 minutes, 6) Fenchurch Street, 7) Blackheath, 8) Lambeth Road, 9) White City, 10) Bateman Street
'Increasing the number of black cab drivers in the city will benefit local businesses, including shops, restaurants, bars, theatres and the tourism industry, ultimately bolstering London's economy.'
Asked why the scheme was set up, Mr Zabrocki told MailOnline: 'As Freenow we feel responsible for the long-term future of the iconic London black cab. Sixty per cent of all black cab drivers in London use Freenow, more than any other app, which means for us to grow the business further we have to grow the whole driver base.
'The pandemic and the cost and complexity of the Knowledge process led to a decline in the number of applications to the Knowledge of London directly impacting the number of licensed black cabs in London. We want to make the Knowledge more accessible to more diverse applicants'
Mr Zabrocki also spoke about the incentive for drivers to sign up.
He said: 'The black cab industry is iconic to the city of London, and completing the Knowledge of London means drivers will become part of a worldwide recognised trade.
'This incentive operates on two levels: it will alleviate the financial pressures of completing the Knowledge of London and therefore give applicants more time to focus on studying as they won't have to worry about how to finance it.
'Additionally, the earning potential for a black cab driver in London is also higher than those who choose to work as a private hire vehicle driver.'
Mr Zabrocki added the black cab industry was now at a 'fork in the road', saying that high demand for the scheme suggested 'the future is looking very bright for the iconic black cab industry'.
But he continued: 'We need TfL and the Mayor to also take action to bring back the black cab supply to pre-pandemic levels. This way we will ensure that black cabs will continue to play a key role in the transport offering of London, with a strong reputation for safety, reliability, convenience, and comfort.
'Black cabs are a lifeline to many in the city. All black cabs are equipped with wheelchair ramps which are crucial to people with mobility issues but also helpful for parents with buggies.'
Mr Zabrocki also said he felt TfL and Mr Khan were doing 'nowhere near enough' for the industry because black cabs 'haven't been a priority at City Hall over the past decade'.
He continued: 'As a result, we sleepwalked into the current situation of driver and vehicle shortage. As an individual company, our power is limited.
'We believe that the Mayor and TfL should set a target of returning the black cab driver and vehicle numbers at least to pre-pandemic levels so everyone can book a black cab when they need one.
'And to achieve it, we need to improve access to and promote the Knowledge of London more generally and address the extremely high cost of vehicles.'
He said that the £400 a week rental cost is 70 per cent higher than the cost of popular executive private hire cars, which was 'absurd' – and that purchasing it with financing and warranty was a cost of over £100,000 – 'beyond many people's reach'.
Among the tuition centres working on the scheme with Freenow is the WizAnn Knowledge School, based in Limehouse and one of the largest in London.
On Wednesday, private hire and courier firm Addison Lee also launched a new partnership with WizAnn, which will see its drivers provided with the Knowledge training at a discounted rate.
Wizann's founder Dean Warrington told MailOnline: 'Without doubt The Knowledge has been declining at a disastrous rate over the past ten years. The main reason for this is the blurring of the lines between private hire vehicle and taxi working practices.
'Another factor is the implementation in 2000 of a system that was specifically designed to lower the number of people on the Knowledge, as well as weed out those that were considered time wasters.
Channel 4 aired a documentary in 2017 called The Knowledge: The World's Toughest Taxi Test
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Channel 4 aired a documentary in 2017 called The Knowledge: The World's Toughest Taxi Test
'These two factors and the arrival of modern technologies caused a rapid decline in the number of applicants. Somewhat belatedly, the Knowledge system was reviewed which resulted in changes being implemented that should have happened at least five years ago.'
He cited the 'Red Lining' system, which is 'essentially a snakes and ladders exam system that allows students to pass exams and subsequently have the results taken away again'.
Mr Warrington continued: 'This means all the steps forward you make can lead you straight back to the start again. I am not aware of any comparable system in any other form of study whereby all of those exams you completed and passed are removed and you are at zero once again.
Uber reports first full-year profit since going public
The black cab business faces a continued threat from Uber, which this week reported its first full-year profit since going public in 2019.
Its shares hit an all-time high as strong bookings in the final quarter of the year pushed revenue beyond Wall Street expectations.
The company, based in San Francisco, has focused on cutting costs and building up a food-delivery division, which has since become a major revenue driver.
Uber's ride-hailing service has gradually bounced back too and figures from the fourth quarter were also positive for the company. Delivery revenue grew 6 per cent and revenue for the ride-share part of the business climbed 34 per cent.
Last month Uber announced that it was shutting down alcohol delivery app Drizly at the end of March so that it could focus on its core Uber Eats strategy of helping consumers get almost anything on a single app.
'Cab drivers themselves jokingly argued it should be kept on the basis it was character building or as some others felt, it was the system they studied under so it would be unfair for anyone else to not go through it.
He said they also often hear a cliche from many older drivers that they 'don't want The Knowledge made any easier', but added: 'Yet those same drivers brag about how in their generation the Knowledge only took 11 to 15 months to complete.
Mr Warrington said: 'There is amongst black cab drivers an 'us and them' attitude towards private hire. The private hire sector is one of the biggest sources of applicants for the London Knowledge full stop.
'Sadly, there are still not enough women or young people who see the job as enticing. All previous marketing and workshop ideas aiming at these demographics have largely turned out to be just wishful thinking and as nice as it would be to see a large influx of women and younger drivers it would still only contribute a very small and slow change to the numbers.
That's why these new ideas from Freenow and Addison Lee are a fantastic initiative. It incentivises drivers to stay on the platform with the goal of moving up to become a black cab driver.
'The numbers have already been growing on the Knowledge outside of these new initiatives and the main reason for that is, as it always has been, that the drivers are once again earning money.'
He said previous numbers of cabs on the road were once as high as around 25,000 but are currently down to 14,000, so 'there is a lot of space for growth in the trade'.
Each year around 1,000 new drivers used to be passed out, but he said this was now down to 100.
Mr Warrington continued: 'Both the Freenow and Addison Lee scholarships are securing the future of The Knowledge and making it sustainable.
'WizAnn has invested thousands of pounds in new technologies that make the entire study process more manageable and allows for a wider range of students with varying circumstances to successfully complete the knowledge.
'Driving a black cab in London is undoubtedly one of the best jobs to be had. The freedom of being your own boss and working whatever hours that suit you for an above average wage makes it incomparable to any other job in London. We are the best cab drivers in the world for a very good reason.'
Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, said: 'Any initiative which helps encourage more people to study the Knowledge and work towards joining our ranks as professional, highly trained, London licensed taxi drivers is very welcome.
A prospective taxi driver poses outside the Knowledge Point School in London in 2000
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A prospective taxi driver poses outside the Knowledge Point School in London in 2000
'The Knowledge requires dedication and hard work, but the skills it develops remain as relevant today as they ever were, allowing drivers to take the quickest, most direct route, avoid road closures and traffic, and ensuring they can provide customers with a reliable, efficient service.'
He added that the trade 'has a bright future ahead of it' and said it was a 'rewarding, flexible and dynamic job'.
Perry Richardson, founder of TaxiPoint magazine and a London taxi driver, told MailOnline: 'It is of course encouraging that more people are now applying to become a taxi driver, however it is still well below what is required to maintain, let alone increase driver numbers long-term and more must be done.'
He cited TfL data suggesting the industry is losing around 1,000 licensed cab drivers each year, and pointed out that this number will continue declining until the trade can match it with new recruits.
Mr Richardson continued: 'Recently we've seen mobility apps like Freenow, Gett and Addison Lee invest in the Knowledge of London, which can be no bad thing, and it targets a key demographic; private hire drivers.
'There are however other demographics to target as well. Delivery drivers and women looking for flexible working, are just two sections of society that should be looking at a trade that has seen a huge spike in demand since people returned back from the Covid pandemic.'
He also called on Mr Khan to make the job 'more enticing' by allowing taxi access in all bus lanes and extending age limits on all greener electric vehicles to bring down costs.
Mr Richardson said: 'If the regulators can engage with the trade, act quickly on concerns and appreciate the vital role a taxi driver plays in the capital, there is no reason at all why more people will see the job as fulfilling and viable long-term career.'
MailOnline has contacted TfL, for which Mr Khan is the chairman, for comment.
London black cabbies could be set for a revival after applications for The Knowledge tripled in two years - despite concerns the world's toughest taxi test could die out.
The challenging exam, which was introduced in 1865, requires drivers to memorise 25,000 streets and 100,000 landmarks within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross.
Successful applicants must learn 320 routes and get through seven stages, with up to a dozen interviews having to be passed during a process taking up to four years.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13064711/The-Knowledge-applications-London-black-cab-increase-Uber-Freenow.html
London black cabbies could be set for a revival after applications for The Knowledge tripled in two years - despite concerns the world's toughest taxi test could die out.
The challenging exam, which was introduced in 1865, requires drivers to memorise 25,000 streets and 100,000 landmarks within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross.
Successful applicants must learn 320 routes and get through seven stages, with up to a dozen interviews having to be passed during a process taking up to four years.
Fears have been raised in recent years that the test could become extinct, with applications falling 94 per cent in a decade from 3,000 in 2012 to just 174 in 2021.
But numbers are now rising again, with the 2023 total hitting 579 - triple the figure from two years prior, and well above the last pre-pandemic number of 356 in 2019.
The rise appears to be partly down to a scheme launched by mobility app Freenow, which lets passengers hail private hire cars similar to Uber, but also black cabs.
The German-based firm is offering a subsidy allowing its 20,000 private hire drivers to apply for funding to complete the exam, which can cost people up to £10,000.
There are 17,500 taxi drivers in London but the profession has come under strain from Uber
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View gallery
There are 17,500 taxi drivers in London but the profession has come under strain from Uber
A graph shows how the total of newly-licensed taxi drivers and applications for The Knowledge in London have both been in decline - but the latter is now starting to pick back up again
A graph shows how the total of newly-licensed taxi drivers and applications for The Knowledge in London have both been in decline - but the latter is now starting to pick back up again
The exam requires drivers to memorise 25,000 streets and 100,000 landmarks across London
+12
View gallery
The exam requires drivers to memorise 25,000 streets and 100,000 landmarks across London
Prospective taxi drivers on bicycles learn The Knowledge at a school in Kennington in 1947
+12
View gallery
Prospective taxi drivers on bicycles learn The Knowledge at a school in Kennington in 1947
The rise in applicants for the test is not yet impacting the number of newly-licenced taxi drivers, which fell to just 121 last year, having been at 1,000 as recently as 2013.
How The Knowledge was launched after complaints over poor cab drivers at the Great Exhibition of 1851
The Knowledge is taken by all London cab drivers and is widely seen as the world's toughest taxi test.
The exam dates back more than 150 years to 1865, having been introduced after the Great Exhibition of 1851 at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, which saw many visitors complain about how cab drivers did not know the route.
The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park in 1851
The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park in 1851
Drivers must memorise 25,000 streets and 100,000 landmarks within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross.
They have to learn 320 routes and face up to a dozen interviews during a process taking up to four years.
The test featured in a 1979 TV comedy drama called The Knowledge, written by the late Jack Rosenthal. The cast included his wife Maureen Lipman, Nigel Hawthorne and Mick Ford.
There was also a 1996 BBC Modern Times documentary called Streetwise which followed drivers preparing for the exam. It is still available on iPlayer.
And Channel 4 aired a documentary in April 2017 called The Knowledge: The World's Toughest Taxi Test.
But there will be a time lag for this to have an effect given that Transport for London (TfL), which runs the system, says it generally takes three to four years to complete the test.
The Knowledge was brought in after the landmark Great Exhibition of 1851 at the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, which attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors - many of whom then complained about their awful journeys because cab drivers did not know the route.
The test was immortalised in a 1979 TV comedy drama called The Knowledge, written by the late Jack Rosenthal with a cast including his wife Maureen Lipman, Nigel Hawthorne and Mick Ford.
It also featured in a 1996 BBC Modern Times documentary called Streetwise, which followed drivers preparing for the exam and is still available on iPlayer.
Latest TfL data for the week ending February 4 shows there are 17,572 active taxi driver licences - compared to 106,588 private hire driver licences. In 2014, the total was 25,538 for taxi drivers and 78,690 for private hire drivers.
The black cab profession has come under strain in recent years from Uber and other similar hailing apps which offer cheaper rides from private hire drivers.
When passengers request a ride with Freenow, the app gives them an option of a private hire car or a taxi, with the taxi almost always more expensive.
For example, a trip today from High Street Kensington station in West London to Victoria is £13.61 for a private hire car, or £24 to £32 for a black cab.
Freenow and the driver can therefore make more money from a black cab fare – therefore giving both the firm and the driver an incentive to have a black cab.
Its commission rate for black cabs is set at 18 per cent on the fare amount plus any tips. This includes VAT but does not apply to bonuses, tolls and airport fees.
Freenow, which said it was trying to save the black cab industry, launched the scheme last November and it has received 900 applications so far - including 500 in the first 24 hours.
In the last week of January this year, the Knowledge had more applicants than in the whole of January last year.
Freenow is funding the application cost, tuition fee, exams and licensing required with up to £2,000 per driver over a minimum period of two years.
Transport for London (TfL) data on licensing totals for taxi and private hire drivers
Year Taxi Vehicles Taxi Drivers: All London Taxi Drivers: Suburban Taxi Drivers: Total Private hire operators Private hire drivers Private hire vehicles
2009/10 22,445 21,334 3,580 24,914 2,882 59,191 49,355
2010/11 22,558 21,499 3,571 25,070 3,111 61,200 50,663
2011/12 23,099 21,690 3,646 25,336 3,164 64,063 53,960
2023/14 22,168 21,733 3,727 25,460 3,159 66,975 49,854
2013/14 22,810 21,876 3,662 25,538 3,038 65,656 52,811
2014/15 22,500 21,724 3,508 25,232 3,006 78,690 62,724
2015/16 21,759 21,500 3,370 24,870 2,814 101,434 78,139
2016/17 21,300 21,274 3,213 24,487 2,430 117,712 87,409
2017/18 21,026 20,803 3,023 23,826 2,373 113,645 87,921
2018/19 20,136 20,301 2,858 23,159 2,206 106,777 88,113
2019/20 18,504 19,642 2,695 22,337 2,113 111,766 94,712
2020/21 13,461 18,341 2,445 20,786 1,955 105,329 77,726
2021/22 14,695 17,361 2,184 19,486 1,710 99,937 80,857
2022/23 15,130 16,327 1,970 18,297 1,583 101,535 89,709
A passenger entering a taxicab outside the Savoy Theatre in London's West End in 1906
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A passenger entering a taxicab outside the Savoy Theatre in London's West End in 1906
This is what a map of Greater London might look like when being used by a black cab driver
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View gallery
This is what a map of Greater London might look like when being used by a black cab driver
The firm - which is the first company to offer such a scheme - hopes many drivers will want the prestige of driving a London taxi as well as being able to say they are a black cab driver.
There are also financial incentives, with those driving taxis able to get higher fares than they can take on private hire vehicles as well as premium corporate jobs, and a £900 bonus if they advertise Freenow on the side of their cab.
HOW APPLICATIONS FOR THE KNOWLEDGE ARE BOUNCING BACK
YEAR THE KNOWLEDGE APPLICATIONS NEWLY-LICENSED TAXI DRIVERS
2019 356 393
2020 178 179
2021 174 187
2022 440 197
2023 579 121
An internal survey by the firm of all private hire drivers in London revealed 52 per cent had considered becoming a black cab driver, and 49 per cent think the Knowledge should be made simpler.
Some 40 per cent thought passing the Knowledge should take less time, while 34 per cent said they would consider doing the Knowledge if financial support was available.
The test is known to be extremely challenging, and Mayor Sadiq Khan revealed in 2021 that the drop-out rate was about 70 per cent – a figure which he said had been 'consistent for many years'.
Mr Khan added that most applicants who do not continue do so at an 'early stage of the process'.
Mariusz Zabrocki, general manager of Freenow UK, said: 'Our goal is to support our drivers to thrive within the industry. The applications for black cab licences have dropped from over 3,000 in 2011/12 to just 221 in 2022.
The test was immortalised in a 1979 television comedy drama called The Knowledge (pictured)
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View gallery
The test was immortalised in a 1979 television comedy drama called The Knowledge (pictured)
The 1979 television drama The Knowledge starred Nigel Hawthorne as examiner Mr Burgess
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View gallery
The 1979 television drama The Knowledge starred Nigel Hawthorne as examiner Mr Burgess
Maureen Lipman
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View gallery
Mick Ford
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The cast of 1979 drama The Knowledge included Maureen Lipman (left) and Mick Ford (right)
'We want to help reignite the industry by supporting experienced and knowledgeable private hire vehicle drivers to progress in their careers and help them complete their studies through financial aid and learning support.
Try these 10 questions to see if you can compete with London cabbies
1) What bridge is the quickest way to get from Pedlar's Park to Bessborough Gardens?
Lambeth Bridge
Chelsea Bridge
Vauxhall Bridge
Westminster Bridge
2) On what road is the main entrance to the Harold Pinter Theatre?
Panton Street
Oxendon Street
Haymarket
Orange Street
3) What is the main road between West Kensington and Barons Court stations?
A3220
A4
A315
A308
4) What is the name of the park directly to the south of Mornington Crescent station?
St Martin's Gardens
Brill Place
Camden Square Park
Harrington Square Gardens
5) What is the average maximum time it takes to get from Lord's Cricket Ground to Waterloo station during the evening rush hour?
35 minutes
45 minutes
55 minutes
65 minutes
6) Which main London rail terminal would you need to take someone wanting to get a train to Upminster?
Liverpool Street
Marylebone
Fenchurch Street
Cannon Street
7) Where in London is the Sun In The Sands roundabout?
Blackheath
Ealing
Bermondsey
Plaistow
8) On what road is the Imperial War Museum?
Cromwell Road
Exhibition Road
Lambeth Road
Brompton Road
9) Where is Hammersmith Hospital?
Fulham
Chelsea
Shepherd's Bush
White City
10) On which road in Soho is the Dog And Duck pub?
Bateman Street
Dean Street
Wardour Street
Old Compton Street
ANSWERS: 1) Vauxhall Bridge, 2) Panton Street, 3) A4, 4) Harrington Square Gardens, 5) 55 minutes, 6) Fenchurch Street, 7) Blackheath, 8) Lambeth Road, 9) White City, 10) Bateman Street
'Increasing the number of black cab drivers in the city will benefit local businesses, including shops, restaurants, bars, theatres and the tourism industry, ultimately bolstering London's economy.'
Asked why the scheme was set up, Mr Zabrocki told MailOnline: 'As Freenow we feel responsible for the long-term future of the iconic London black cab. Sixty per cent of all black cab drivers in London use Freenow, more than any other app, which means for us to grow the business further we have to grow the whole driver base.
'The pandemic and the cost and complexity of the Knowledge process led to a decline in the number of applications to the Knowledge of London directly impacting the number of licensed black cabs in London. We want to make the Knowledge more accessible to more diverse applicants'
Mr Zabrocki also spoke about the incentive for drivers to sign up.
He said: 'The black cab industry is iconic to the city of London, and completing the Knowledge of London means drivers will become part of a worldwide recognised trade.
'This incentive operates on two levels: it will alleviate the financial pressures of completing the Knowledge of London and therefore give applicants more time to focus on studying as they won't have to worry about how to finance it.
'Additionally, the earning potential for a black cab driver in London is also higher than those who choose to work as a private hire vehicle driver.'
Mr Zabrocki added the black cab industry was now at a 'fork in the road', saying that high demand for the scheme suggested 'the future is looking very bright for the iconic black cab industry'.
But he continued: 'We need TfL and the Mayor to also take action to bring back the black cab supply to pre-pandemic levels. This way we will ensure that black cabs will continue to play a key role in the transport offering of London, with a strong reputation for safety, reliability, convenience, and comfort.
'Black cabs are a lifeline to many in the city. All black cabs are equipped with wheelchair ramps which are crucial to people with mobility issues but also helpful for parents with buggies.'
Mr Zabrocki also said he felt TfL and Mr Khan were doing 'nowhere near enough' for the industry because black cabs 'haven't been a priority at City Hall over the past decade'.
He continued: 'As a result, we sleepwalked into the current situation of driver and vehicle shortage. As an individual company, our power is limited.
'We believe that the Mayor and TfL should set a target of returning the black cab driver and vehicle numbers at least to pre-pandemic levels so everyone can book a black cab when they need one.
'And to achieve it, we need to improve access to and promote the Knowledge of London more generally and address the extremely high cost of vehicles.'
He said that the £400 a week rental cost is 70 per cent higher than the cost of popular executive private hire cars, which was 'absurd' – and that purchasing it with financing and warranty was a cost of over £100,000 – 'beyond many people's reach'.
Among the tuition centres working on the scheme with Freenow is the WizAnn Knowledge School, based in Limehouse and one of the largest in London.
On Wednesday, private hire and courier firm Addison Lee also launched a new partnership with WizAnn, which will see its drivers provided with the Knowledge training at a discounted rate.
Wizann's founder Dean Warrington told MailOnline: 'Without doubt The Knowledge has been declining at a disastrous rate over the past ten years. The main reason for this is the blurring of the lines between private hire vehicle and taxi working practices.
'Another factor is the implementation in 2000 of a system that was specifically designed to lower the number of people on the Knowledge, as well as weed out those that were considered time wasters.
Channel 4 aired a documentary in 2017 called The Knowledge: The World's Toughest Taxi Test
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Channel 4 aired a documentary in 2017 called The Knowledge: The World's Toughest Taxi Test
'These two factors and the arrival of modern technologies caused a rapid decline in the number of applicants. Somewhat belatedly, the Knowledge system was reviewed which resulted in changes being implemented that should have happened at least five years ago.'
He cited the 'Red Lining' system, which is 'essentially a snakes and ladders exam system that allows students to pass exams and subsequently have the results taken away again'.
Mr Warrington continued: 'This means all the steps forward you make can lead you straight back to the start again. I am not aware of any comparable system in any other form of study whereby all of those exams you completed and passed are removed and you are at zero once again.
Uber reports first full-year profit since going public
The black cab business faces a continued threat from Uber, which this week reported its first full-year profit since going public in 2019.
Its shares hit an all-time high as strong bookings in the final quarter of the year pushed revenue beyond Wall Street expectations.
The company, based in San Francisco, has focused on cutting costs and building up a food-delivery division, which has since become a major revenue driver.
Uber's ride-hailing service has gradually bounced back too and figures from the fourth quarter were also positive for the company. Delivery revenue grew 6 per cent and revenue for the ride-share part of the business climbed 34 per cent.
Last month Uber announced that it was shutting down alcohol delivery app Drizly at the end of March so that it could focus on its core Uber Eats strategy of helping consumers get almost anything on a single app.
'Cab drivers themselves jokingly argued it should be kept on the basis it was character building or as some others felt, it was the system they studied under so it would be unfair for anyone else to not go through it.
He said they also often hear a cliche from many older drivers that they 'don't want The Knowledge made any easier', but added: 'Yet those same drivers brag about how in their generation the Knowledge only took 11 to 15 months to complete.
Mr Warrington said: 'There is amongst black cab drivers an 'us and them' attitude towards private hire. The private hire sector is one of the biggest sources of applicants for the London Knowledge full stop.
'Sadly, there are still not enough women or young people who see the job as enticing. All previous marketing and workshop ideas aiming at these demographics have largely turned out to be just wishful thinking and as nice as it would be to see a large influx of women and younger drivers it would still only contribute a very small and slow change to the numbers.
That's why these new ideas from Freenow and Addison Lee are a fantastic initiative. It incentivises drivers to stay on the platform with the goal of moving up to become a black cab driver.
'The numbers have already been growing on the Knowledge outside of these new initiatives and the main reason for that is, as it always has been, that the drivers are once again earning money.'
He said previous numbers of cabs on the road were once as high as around 25,000 but are currently down to 14,000, so 'there is a lot of space for growth in the trade'.
Each year around 1,000 new drivers used to be passed out, but he said this was now down to 100.
Mr Warrington continued: 'Both the Freenow and Addison Lee scholarships are securing the future of The Knowledge and making it sustainable.
'WizAnn has invested thousands of pounds in new technologies that make the entire study process more manageable and allows for a wider range of students with varying circumstances to successfully complete the knowledge.
'Driving a black cab in London is undoubtedly one of the best jobs to be had. The freedom of being your own boss and working whatever hours that suit you for an above average wage makes it incomparable to any other job in London. We are the best cab drivers in the world for a very good reason.'
Steve McNamara, general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, said: 'Any initiative which helps encourage more people to study the Knowledge and work towards joining our ranks as professional, highly trained, London licensed taxi drivers is very welcome.
A prospective taxi driver poses outside the Knowledge Point School in London in 2000
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A prospective taxi driver poses outside the Knowledge Point School in London in 2000
'The Knowledge requires dedication and hard work, but the skills it develops remain as relevant today as they ever were, allowing drivers to take the quickest, most direct route, avoid road closures and traffic, and ensuring they can provide customers with a reliable, efficient service.'
He added that the trade 'has a bright future ahead of it' and said it was a 'rewarding, flexible and dynamic job'.
Perry Richardson, founder of TaxiPoint magazine and a London taxi driver, told MailOnline: 'It is of course encouraging that more people are now applying to become a taxi driver, however it is still well below what is required to maintain, let alone increase driver numbers long-term and more must be done.'
He cited TfL data suggesting the industry is losing around 1,000 licensed cab drivers each year, and pointed out that this number will continue declining until the trade can match it with new recruits.
Mr Richardson continued: 'Recently we've seen mobility apps like Freenow, Gett and Addison Lee invest in the Knowledge of London, which can be no bad thing, and it targets a key demographic; private hire drivers.
'There are however other demographics to target as well. Delivery drivers and women looking for flexible working, are just two sections of society that should be looking at a trade that has seen a huge spike in demand since people returned back from the Covid pandemic.'
He also called on Mr Khan to make the job 'more enticing' by allowing taxi access in all bus lanes and extending age limits on all greener electric vehicles to bring down costs.
Mr Richardson said: 'If the regulators can engage with the trade, act quickly on concerns and appreciate the vital role a taxi driver plays in the capital, there is no reason at all why more people will see the job as fulfilling and viable long-term career.'
MailOnline has contacted TfL, for which Mr Khan is the chairman, for comment.
London black cabbies could be set for a revival after applications for The Knowledge tripled in two years - despite concerns the world's toughest taxi test could die out.
The challenging exam, which was introduced in 1865, requires drivers to memorise 25,000 streets and 100,000 landmarks within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross.
Successful applicants must learn 320 routes and get through seven stages, with up to a dozen interviews having to be passed during a process taking up to four years.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13064711/The-Knowledge-applications-London-black-cab-increase-Uber-Freenow.html