Taxicabs are regulated throughout the United Kingdom, but the regulation of taxicabs in London is especially rigorous with regard to mechanical integrity and driver knowledge. An official report observed that: "Little however is known about the regulation by anyone outside the trade. The Public Carriage Office, which regulates and licenses taxis and private hire (commonly known as minicabs) was transferred from the Metropolitan Police to become part of Transport for London in 2000."
Types of cab
Hackney carriages (taxis) can be flagged down in the street or hired from a taxi rank.
Private hire vehicles ('minicabs') are passenger vehicles which can be either a 4-door saloon/hatchback, carrying up to four passengers or MPVs that are licensed to carry between 5 and 8 passengers. These may not be hailed in the street.
Chauffeur cars are a sub-set of private hire; generally a higher-value car such as a Mercedes or Jaguar where the passenger pays a premium but in return receives a higher level of comfort and a little courtesy from the driver, some of whom wear a uniform.
Public Carriage Office Black Cab Driving Mobile Phone PCO
published: 19 Feb 2009
London Taxi Black Cab protest at murderer on the knowledge
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stormcab/sets/72157622330710690/
Our picket outside the Public Carriage Office on the 10th September 2009 to show that we are against this person being allowed to eventually become a London Taxi Driver.
published: 10 Sep 2009
London Taxi Drivers
But we can really thank the Great Exhibition of 1851 for giving us the world’s premier taxi service, for it was going to this exhibition, and this fabulous exhibition inventions from all around the four corners of the Empire that the visitors were appalled, dismayed and vexed by their journeys to this exhibition because the cabbies of the day, and their horse-drawn carts were absolutely terrible, could not find their way to this exhibition. And, so, a great public outcry, the London Authority sets up Public Carriage Office, which is an organization that still exists. And you can take a short walk to Penton Street up the road. And this Public Carriage office took on the responsibility of licensing all major taxi drivers in London. All taxi drivers from 1851 onwards had to pass what is now k...
published: 18 May 2020
How to be 1960s London Taxi Driver Part 2 | Chats with my Dad oral history
OUT NOW AS A BOOK! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2PL4c5R
Amazon US: http://a.co/d/3yX2yyd
Click the 'subtitles/closed captions' button along bottom of screen
Next part here: https://youtu.be/TuBMK0E5-Pw
This is the second part of my chat with my Dad, about what was it like becoming a London Licensed Taxi Driver in the 1960s.
I'm saying it's an oral history but really it's so my kids and future generations can hear what the job was like.
It also answers basic questions about how do you become a licensed London Taxi Driver (A black taxi cabbie!)
How do you qualify the difficult test called "The Knowledge", set and examined by the Metropolitan Police at the Public Carriage Office in the Angel?
0:30 He hates having to learn the subur...
published: 13 Aug 2018
Taxi Cab - London - SUPPORT THEM...
London's famous taxis (black cabs) can be booked in advance, hailed on the street or picked up from designated taxi ranks.
In London, hackney-carriage drivers have to pass a test called The Knowledge to demonstrate that they have an intimate knowledge of the geography of London streets, important buildings, etc. Learning The Knowledge allows the driver to become a member of the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers. There are two types of badge, a yellow one for the suburban areas and a green one for all of London. The latter is considered far more difficult. Drivers who own their cabs as opposed to renting from a garage are known as "mushers" and those who have just passed the "knowledge" are known as "butter boys". There are currently around 21,000 black cabs in London, licensed...
published: 20 Oct 2016
London Black Cab Taxis
Video taken in London city about the London Black Taxis. There are currently around 21,000 black cabs in London, licensed by the Public Carriage Office.
published: 20 Jan 2020
N554OYP - Close pass and abuse from a taxi
Filmed 19.10.10
The taxi driver passed me so closed that i was forced to lean on it.
The transcript is as follows
me: 'OI *sound of me leaning on his car* fucking hell'
him: 'you want a fucking right hander? you cunt'
me: 'mate'
him: 'you hit it again and i'll knock you right off that *couldn't make out what he said*'
me: '*pointing at the camera* smi...'
him: 'i couldn't give a shit about that'
me: 'smile for the camera'
him: 'you cunt'
me: 'your getting reported to the public carriage office'
him: 'well done'
me: 'your getting reported to the public carriage office'
This was all whilst he had a passenger on board
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stormcab/sets/72157622330710690/
Our picket outside the Public Carriage Office on the 10th September 2009 to show that we are again...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stormcab/sets/72157622330710690/
Our picket outside the Public Carriage Office on the 10th September 2009 to show that we are against this person being allowed to eventually become a London Taxi Driver.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stormcab/sets/72157622330710690/
Our picket outside the Public Carriage Office on the 10th September 2009 to show that we are against this person being allowed to eventually become a London Taxi Driver.
But we can really thank the Great Exhibition of 1851 for giving us the world’s premier taxi service, for it was going to this exhibition, and this fabulous exhi...
But we can really thank the Great Exhibition of 1851 for giving us the world’s premier taxi service, for it was going to this exhibition, and this fabulous exhibition inventions from all around the four corners of the Empire that the visitors were appalled, dismayed and vexed by their journeys to this exhibition because the cabbies of the day, and their horse-drawn carts were absolutely terrible, could not find their way to this exhibition. And, so, a great public outcry, the London Authority sets up Public Carriage Office, which is an organization that still exists. And you can take a short walk to Penton Street up the road. And this Public Carriage office took on the responsibility of licensing all major taxi drivers in London. All taxi drivers from 1851 onwards had to pass what is now known as the London knowledge, was phenomenal knowledge of London. What is the London knowledge? It’s the ability to remember the 25,000 streets, have it all interconnected and all the main arterial roads in and out of London. Cabbies need to know all this plus a thousand points of specific interest cafes, bars, public offices. They need to know them all as part of their training.
But we can really thank the Great Exhibition of 1851 for giving us the world’s premier taxi service, for it was going to this exhibition, and this fabulous exhibition inventions from all around the four corners of the Empire that the visitors were appalled, dismayed and vexed by their journeys to this exhibition because the cabbies of the day, and their horse-drawn carts were absolutely terrible, could not find their way to this exhibition. And, so, a great public outcry, the London Authority sets up Public Carriage Office, which is an organization that still exists. And you can take a short walk to Penton Street up the road. And this Public Carriage office took on the responsibility of licensing all major taxi drivers in London. All taxi drivers from 1851 onwards had to pass what is now known as the London knowledge, was phenomenal knowledge of London. What is the London knowledge? It’s the ability to remember the 25,000 streets, have it all interconnected and all the main arterial roads in and out of London. Cabbies need to know all this plus a thousand points of specific interest cafes, bars, public offices. They need to know them all as part of their training.
OUT NOW AS A BOOK! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2PL4c5R
Amazon US: http://a.co/d/3yX2yyd
Click the 'subti...
OUT NOW AS A BOOK! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2PL4c5R
Amazon US: http://a.co/d/3yX2yyd
Click the 'subtitles/closed captions' button along bottom of screen
Next part here: https://youtu.be/TuBMK0E5-Pw
This is the second part of my chat with my Dad, about what was it like becoming a London Licensed Taxi Driver in the 1960s.
I'm saying it's an oral history but really it's so my kids and future generations can hear what the job was like.
It also answers basic questions about how do you become a licensed London Taxi Driver (A black taxi cabbie!)
How do you qualify the difficult test called "The Knowledge", set and examined by the Metropolitan Police at the Public Carriage Office in the Angel?
0:30 He hates having to learn the suburbs
1:40 Getting the Green Badge - and what happens after 18 months
3:00 How to get a London black taxi in the 1960's "on the flat"
4:20 Getting the meters changed for new fares and "bingo cards"
5:20 The dreaded annual Overhaul where your cab could be failed for anything
6:10 The hubcap syndicate
7:30 Getting your own taxi cab
9:00 Joining a radio taxi circuit in London
I found a historical mention of Levy's garage York Way, Kings Cross from 1953 here, and how he went to America in the 1950s to study two-way taxi cab radios: https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/1953_Who's_Who_in_the_Motor_Industry:_Persons_L
Thanks for watching - the full chat with my taxi driver Dad is here: https://youtu.be/2eDuR1QEp34
And the playlist for all these videos is here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtZM4-pHDwPm3NS3PpFmraEqOHUeZhhpT
I talked with my Nan too about her life in London & Brighton in the 1940s here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtZM4-pHDwPmHzdMH6gGcMnS84bIp-FTt
Help me get to 1000 subscribers, click here thanks! https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=neilmossey
And more of my best videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtZM4-pHDwPlO4vigc9CFULVME6bF_8Iu
My WeAreTheProblems daily blog: http://neilmossey.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/neilmossey
OUT NOW AS A BOOK! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2PL4c5R
Amazon US: http://a.co/d/3yX2yyd
Click the 'subtitles/closed captions' button along bottom of screen
Next part here: https://youtu.be/TuBMK0E5-Pw
This is the second part of my chat with my Dad, about what was it like becoming a London Licensed Taxi Driver in the 1960s.
I'm saying it's an oral history but really it's so my kids and future generations can hear what the job was like.
It also answers basic questions about how do you become a licensed London Taxi Driver (A black taxi cabbie!)
How do you qualify the difficult test called "The Knowledge", set and examined by the Metropolitan Police at the Public Carriage Office in the Angel?
0:30 He hates having to learn the suburbs
1:40 Getting the Green Badge - and what happens after 18 months
3:00 How to get a London black taxi in the 1960's "on the flat"
4:20 Getting the meters changed for new fares and "bingo cards"
5:20 The dreaded annual Overhaul where your cab could be failed for anything
6:10 The hubcap syndicate
7:30 Getting your own taxi cab
9:00 Joining a radio taxi circuit in London
I found a historical mention of Levy's garage York Way, Kings Cross from 1953 here, and how he went to America in the 1950s to study two-way taxi cab radios: https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/1953_Who's_Who_in_the_Motor_Industry:_Persons_L
Thanks for watching - the full chat with my taxi driver Dad is here: https://youtu.be/2eDuR1QEp34
And the playlist for all these videos is here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtZM4-pHDwPm3NS3PpFmraEqOHUeZhhpT
I talked with my Nan too about her life in London & Brighton in the 1940s here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtZM4-pHDwPmHzdMH6gGcMnS84bIp-FTt
Help me get to 1000 subscribers, click here thanks! https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=neilmossey
And more of my best videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtZM4-pHDwPlO4vigc9CFULVME6bF_8Iu
My WeAreTheProblems daily blog: http://neilmossey.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/neilmossey
London's famous taxis (black cabs) can be booked in advance, hailed on the street or picked up from designated taxi ranks.
In London, hackney-carriage drivers h...
London's famous taxis (black cabs) can be booked in advance, hailed on the street or picked up from designated taxi ranks.
In London, hackney-carriage drivers have to pass a test called The Knowledge to demonstrate that they have an intimate knowledge of the geography of London streets, important buildings, etc. Learning The Knowledge allows the driver to become a member of the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers. There are two types of badge, a yellow one for the suburban areas and a green one for all of London. The latter is considered far more difficult. Drivers who own their cabs as opposed to renting from a garage are known as "mushers" and those who have just passed the "knowledge" are known as "butter boys". There are currently around 21,000 black cabs in London, licensed by the Public Carriage Office.
SUPPORT THEM.....
London's famous taxis (black cabs) can be booked in advance, hailed on the street or picked up from designated taxi ranks.
In London, hackney-carriage drivers have to pass a test called The Knowledge to demonstrate that they have an intimate knowledge of the geography of London streets, important buildings, etc. Learning The Knowledge allows the driver to become a member of the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers. There are two types of badge, a yellow one for the suburban areas and a green one for all of London. The latter is considered far more difficult. Drivers who own their cabs as opposed to renting from a garage are known as "mushers" and those who have just passed the "knowledge" are known as "butter boys". There are currently around 21,000 black cabs in London, licensed by the Public Carriage Office.
SUPPORT THEM.....
Video taken in London city about the London Black Taxis. There are currently around 21,000 black cabs in London, licensed by the Public Carriage Office.
Video taken in London city about the London Black Taxis. There are currently around 21,000 black cabs in London, licensed by the Public Carriage Office.
Video taken in London city about the London Black Taxis. There are currently around 21,000 black cabs in London, licensed by the Public Carriage Office.
Filmed 19.10.10
The taxi driver passed me so closed that i was forced to lean on it.
The transcript is as follows
me: 'OI *sound of me leaning on his car* fucki...
Filmed 19.10.10
The taxi driver passed me so closed that i was forced to lean on it.
The transcript is as follows
me: 'OI *sound of me leaning on his car* fucking hell'
him: 'you want a fucking right hander? you cunt'
me: 'mate'
him: 'you hit it again and i'll knock you right off that *couldn't make out what he said*'
me: '*pointing at the camera* smi...'
him: 'i couldn't give a shit about that'
me: 'smile for the camera'
him: 'you cunt'
me: 'your getting reported to the public carriage office'
him: 'well done'
me: 'your getting reported to the public carriage office'
This was all whilst he had a passenger on board
Filmed 19.10.10
The taxi driver passed me so closed that i was forced to lean on it.
The transcript is as follows
me: 'OI *sound of me leaning on his car* fucking hell'
him: 'you want a fucking right hander? you cunt'
me: 'mate'
him: 'you hit it again and i'll knock you right off that *couldn't make out what he said*'
me: '*pointing at the camera* smi...'
him: 'i couldn't give a shit about that'
me: 'smile for the camera'
him: 'you cunt'
me: 'your getting reported to the public carriage office'
him: 'well done'
me: 'your getting reported to the public carriage office'
This was all whilst he had a passenger on board
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stormcab/sets/72157622330710690/
Our picket outside the Public Carriage Office on the 10th September 2009 to show that we are against this person being allowed to eventually become a London Taxi Driver.
But we can really thank the Great Exhibition of 1851 for giving us the world’s premier taxi service, for it was going to this exhibition, and this fabulous exhibition inventions from all around the four corners of the Empire that the visitors were appalled, dismayed and vexed by their journeys to this exhibition because the cabbies of the day, and their horse-drawn carts were absolutely terrible, could not find their way to this exhibition. And, so, a great public outcry, the London Authority sets up Public Carriage Office, which is an organization that still exists. And you can take a short walk to Penton Street up the road. And this Public Carriage office took on the responsibility of licensing all major taxi drivers in London. All taxi drivers from 1851 onwards had to pass what is now known as the London knowledge, was phenomenal knowledge of London. What is the London knowledge? It’s the ability to remember the 25,000 streets, have it all interconnected and all the main arterial roads in and out of London. Cabbies need to know all this plus a thousand points of specific interest cafes, bars, public offices. They need to know them all as part of their training.
OUT NOW AS A BOOK! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2PL4c5R
Amazon US: http://a.co/d/3yX2yyd
Click the 'subtitles/closed captions' button along bottom of screen
Next part here: https://youtu.be/TuBMK0E5-Pw
This is the second part of my chat with my Dad, about what was it like becoming a London Licensed Taxi Driver in the 1960s.
I'm saying it's an oral history but really it's so my kids and future generations can hear what the job was like.
It also answers basic questions about how do you become a licensed London Taxi Driver (A black taxi cabbie!)
How do you qualify the difficult test called "The Knowledge", set and examined by the Metropolitan Police at the Public Carriage Office in the Angel?
0:30 He hates having to learn the suburbs
1:40 Getting the Green Badge - and what happens after 18 months
3:00 How to get a London black taxi in the 1960's "on the flat"
4:20 Getting the meters changed for new fares and "bingo cards"
5:20 The dreaded annual Overhaul where your cab could be failed for anything
6:10 The hubcap syndicate
7:30 Getting your own taxi cab
9:00 Joining a radio taxi circuit in London
I found a historical mention of Levy's garage York Way, Kings Cross from 1953 here, and how he went to America in the 1950s to study two-way taxi cab radios: https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/1953_Who's_Who_in_the_Motor_Industry:_Persons_L
Thanks for watching - the full chat with my taxi driver Dad is here: https://youtu.be/2eDuR1QEp34
And the playlist for all these videos is here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtZM4-pHDwPm3NS3PpFmraEqOHUeZhhpT
I talked with my Nan too about her life in London & Brighton in the 1940s here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtZM4-pHDwPmHzdMH6gGcMnS84bIp-FTt
Help me get to 1000 subscribers, click here thanks! https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=neilmossey
And more of my best videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtZM4-pHDwPlO4vigc9CFULVME6bF_8Iu
My WeAreTheProblems daily blog: http://neilmossey.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/neilmossey
London's famous taxis (black cabs) can be booked in advance, hailed on the street or picked up from designated taxi ranks.
In London, hackney-carriage drivers have to pass a test called The Knowledge to demonstrate that they have an intimate knowledge of the geography of London streets, important buildings, etc. Learning The Knowledge allows the driver to become a member of the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers. There are two types of badge, a yellow one for the suburban areas and a green one for all of London. The latter is considered far more difficult. Drivers who own their cabs as opposed to renting from a garage are known as "mushers" and those who have just passed the "knowledge" are known as "butter boys". There are currently around 21,000 black cabs in London, licensed by the Public Carriage Office.
SUPPORT THEM.....
Video taken in London city about the London Black Taxis. There are currently around 21,000 black cabs in London, licensed by the Public Carriage Office.
Filmed 19.10.10
The taxi driver passed me so closed that i was forced to lean on it.
The transcript is as follows
me: 'OI *sound of me leaning on his car* fucking hell'
him: 'you want a fucking right hander? you cunt'
me: 'mate'
him: 'you hit it again and i'll knock you right off that *couldn't make out what he said*'
me: '*pointing at the camera* smi...'
him: 'i couldn't give a shit about that'
me: 'smile for the camera'
him: 'you cunt'
me: 'your getting reported to the public carriage office'
him: 'well done'
me: 'your getting reported to the public carriage office'
This was all whilst he had a passenger on board
Taxicabs are regulated throughout the United Kingdom, but the regulation of taxicabs in London is especially rigorous with regard to mechanical integrity and driver knowledge. An official report observed that: "Little however is known about the regulation by anyone outside the trade. The Public Carriage Office, which regulates and licenses taxis and private hire (commonly known as minicabs) was transferred from the Metropolitan Police to become part of Transport for London in 2000."
Types of cab
Hackney carriages (taxis) can be flagged down in the street or hired from a taxi rank.
Private hire vehicles ('minicabs') are passenger vehicles which can be either a 4-door saloon/hatchback, carrying up to four passengers or MPVs that are licensed to carry between 5 and 8 passengers. These may not be hailed in the street.
Chauffeur cars are a sub-set of private hire; generally a higher-value car such as a Mercedes or Jaguar where the passenger pays a premium but in return receives a higher level of comfort and a little courtesy from the driver, some of whom wear a uniform.