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Just Knowledge | |
"It's a London thing..." |
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FAQs
Q: What are the age limits?
A: The law says
that you can't hold a taxi cab driver's licence until you are 21
years old. No application for an "All London" licence will be
considered before you are 20 years and 3months old. You must be at
least 21 years old before you can apply for a suburban licence.
There Are no exceptions.
Q: 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 licence. This will be done for every applicant
and is done by way of a criminal record check and will be 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 however, this does
not mean you cannot hold a licence but it does depend on the offence
and sentence imposed. You must disclose all current convictions. For
example, those which have not become spent under the 'Rehabilitation
Of Offenders Act' 1974. Also you will need to disclose any charges
or summonses that may be outstanding against you. If you fail to
disclose current convictions this will result in your application
being turned down.
Q: 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 required than that needed for a standard DVLA
licence. Every applicant is required to have a medical report form
(issued by the Carriage Office) completed by their doctor, the
doctor must have had your medical records for the last 12 months.
This report will cost between £40 and £50 and is payable to your
doctor.
Q: Are there any medical conditions that will effect me getting a
licence?
A:
Yes. More
information can be obtained from the Carriage Office.
Q: Do I need to know the whole of London?
A:
No.
You can choose to study for
the "All London" licence, 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 are not allowed to work as
a taxi driver in central London or Heathrow airport without the "All
London" licence. As an alternative you can study for the suburban
licence. 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.
Q: 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.
Q: How do I learn "the Knowledge"?
A:
If you are
accepted then you will be invited to attend the Carriage Office with
other applicants and be given an introductory 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
licence this will have 30 "Runs". These will provide you with a
basic understanding of how to study for the "Knowledge".
Q: Can I just learn the runs?
A:
No. In addition
to the runs, you will need to learn the buildings and places of
interest within a ¼mile radius of
the start and finish of each run.
Q: How long can I expect to take to learn "the Knowledge"?
A:
Every person is different but as a guide it normally takes
between 2-4 years.
Q: How do I get tested?
A:
Over a period of
time you are asked to attend a number of 15 minute interviews. These
are also known as "Appearances". 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 acquired the necessary level of knowledge. For the "All London"
licence you must apply for an appointment within 2 years of your
initial talk. For the suburban licence must apply for an appointment
within 6 months. If you fail to apply within these times you will
have to resubmit an application form and start again.
Q: I have a DVLA licence, do I still need to take a driving test?
A:
Yes. You will
need to be re-tested because you will be carrying passengers for
hire and reward in a purpose built vehicle, which differs from a
standard type of car. The licensing Authority need to be satisfied
that you are competent enough to drive the vehicle safely in a
congested city environment.
Q: Who tests me?
A:
You will
be
tested by a Public Carriage Office
Examiner.
Q: How much do I have to pay for the test?
A:
The fee for the
test is the same as it is for a normal driving test. The fee will be
the standard fee applicable for a Department of Transport test.
Q: Can I become a taxi driver if I am disabled?
A:
Yes. Providing
you can pass the required driving test, you can use a vehicle that
has been specially adapted for your disability as long it has been
modified to approved standards of safety.
Q: What sort of things will I have to pay for?
A:
Your medical and
the cost of
purchasing or hiring a moped to do the knowledge. Petrol, insurance,
a helmet, waterproofs and maps. Knowledge school fees (if you decide
to join one) driving lessons (if you haven't already passed your
driving test) and the hire of a taxi to take your test in. Finally
the fee for a taxi Cab Driver's Licence.
Q: How do I apply to become a Licensed Taxi Driver?
A:
You can request an
application pack on-line from
here
The Public Carriage Office e-mail
address is:
enquiries@pco.org.uk
Their telephone number is: 0845 602
7000
(8am to 5pm Monday to Friday except bank
holidays)
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