have more black taxi apps -and publicise them. have more taxi ranks. stop cabbies refusing journeys. smarten up cabbies - some look like beachcombers. get cabbies to help people in and out of their cabs if they need help, don't sit on your arse and watch me struggle . ---------------------------- go back to all new taxis being black . ( New York cabs are all yellow .... keep it the same colour as it used to be ) ----------------------------- and listen to groups of taxi users - and ex taxi users. stop being dinosaurs. ---------------------------- I am a customer - treat me as a customer. otherwise like John Lewis you will keep declining...I never use Uber but they are taking your customers. ( used Uber once - Mortlake cemetery to The Coach and Horses at Kew Green - not booked by me - and falling apart so did not walk it )
I was a taxi driver up until Covid struck , i was out of work for a year until I went back to my old trade that I did before I became a taxi driver . The building trade is booming . For me being made to drive an expensive cab and then being told I can’t drive on certain roads is a kick in the ging gangs . I’ve renewed my licence and maybe one day I will come back . Not yet though . All the best Tom
Had my badge 24yrs now. Only worked a cab 3 weeks since the first lockdown. I’m not renewing my bill this time. My circumstances mean that life is easier being in paid employment than paying huge expenses coupled with no holiday pay, pension etc, break downs and every other single ex (including tipping the cab wash fella 😂). Job is not as flexible. The vehicles are too expensive and I paid what I thought was a huge amount for my tx4 (£683) when I bought it. Honestly I really enjoyed the job as it was years ago but I’m less stressed now and the small inconveniences of being employed I can deal with. I’ll still have the memories that TfL can’t ruin.
What a brilliantly informative video! I rarely use black cabs (rely mostly on public transport) but watching your videos makes me appreciate the trade so much
I will be in your city soon. I’m from Florida. Wouldn’t that be just the ultimate thing if I found Tom the taxi driver sitting outside Heathrow waiting to pick me up that would be fantastic. You have a great channel! I’ve learned a lot not that I wanna be taxi driver, but I can’t wait to see your beautiful city and countryside. Thanks for the great content.
Driving in London has never been great and it's getting worse. Restrictons and the constant threat of points, the constant ever growing congestion of endless roadworks and an ever more populated city and then having to inve potentially 3 or 4 years into something with no gurantee of success while having to still hold down a full time job because cost of living means especially in London where I'm surprised you are not taxed for the oxygen you breathe where are people finding the time?
77k plus interest for a TXE its just far to expensive. A lot of drivers in their 60s won't commit rather give up ,£350/£400 to rent to much. Would a young man/woman spent 3 years on the knowledge or train for a trade where there is over 100k vacancies.
It's just become far too expensive The repayments for an levc txe added to all the other expenses including tax your talking £30k+ before you kick a ball, it's a lifestyle no holiday pay, no pension contributions, sick pay, then no earning capability while dealing with breakdowns etc, you must work 70 hours plus a week to make a living and no social life Although I'm now teetotal 😭
I think your missing a huge point of the Uber side. Uber have a server in Wolverhampton, because of that they can get a Private hire plate from Wolverhampton and work anywhere in the country because the fare ping from customer phone anywhere to the server to back out to the driver, Bypassing alot of area licencing rules
It is a shame it’s a dying trade if anybody is to blame I blame TFL licensing laws mandatory updates six points on your driving license. The risks don’t outweigh the rewards and this is the problem. TFL are trying to drive out black cabs and private hire and let’s face it that we’ve got who loves London loves the population of London and as everyone’s best interest at heart which is a load of crap is making it harder and harder I think in the next 5 to 10 years, London Street will be like the film. I am legend empty.
Could be that in the last 5 years, older drivers would face the decision to replace there older cab for the new one you have. If your old cab is all paid for and your just doing 3/4 days a week earning without the expense of the vehicle, do they really want to take on a big commitment like a brand new cab with monthly costs ...... Your new cab is expensive it's not cheap. In my opinion it's only worth it if your planning to carry on in the trade for many years to come.
The Black Cab trade is a tricky one because whilst I value the fact that the driver has done the knowledge and the cab will be clean etc, the service will be good etc I am happy to pay for that. Unfortunately most ppl especially the younger generation just don't care about this, all they care about is paying the least possible, to your average Joe the knowledge does not mean anything.
10:00: Hang on, last month I definitely saw a taxi driver plying an Austin FX4. Is that some sort of heritage tour or something rather than a regular taxi?
- Speed cameras everywhere - Low traffic neighbourhoods - the relentless war on cars - being forced to buy an expensive new electric cab - more and more red tape every year Why would you even bother.
- Speed cameras everywhere - only a problem if you break the law - Low traffic neighbourhoods - stops people driving silly through residential areas - the relentless war on cars - not enough room in london for this many cars. less cars means more space for cabs - being forced to buy an expensive new electric cab - agree with you, overpriced junk - more and more red tape every year - no idea what that actually means
Hey Tom, love the videos, was seriously thinking about doing the knowledge, spoke to my dads mate whose a black ack cab driver and drivers a tX4, I’m 6’8 and have no chance of fitting in the drivers seat, on let alone driving it, he managed to borrow his friends TXE and again same problem. I was really upset, I’ll be honest I’m glad checked to see as I’d have been devastated if I’d have done 2/3years knowledge only to find out after that I couldn’t fit in one
Tom, I was a Liverpool Black Cab Driver (Hackney as we call it here) with the Sat Nav brigade came along, who couldn’t find the toilet without one. People can’t afford spending years doing the knowledge, unless they are guaranteed they will earn a lot more than a Uber driver, mini cab etc etc, unlike London, we use to have to buy our plates, which when I bought mine, it cost just less than my first house a semi. We had to put the hours in, working every busy hour going. No private hire then, things have changed, thousands upon thousands, of private hire now, with plates from here there and everywhere. Working here there and everywhere. With Sat Nav’s the Knowledge really needs to be accessed and brought in to the present.
I’m watching and listening from America. Enjoying you Tom and your attitude. If I had the money to travel I would want to come to London just to hire you for a tour and rides to wherever. We were all so relieved to get back to work but unfortunately rona effects of destruction left us with debt higher prices for all things, and it’s all tenuous at best as we are all hanging by a thread. Those of you that have money and carry on are blessed. Many cannot. I applaud your steadfast stamina to continue! Thank you🙏🏻😉
As a regular (daily) user of black cabs in London, the newish hybrid taxi based on a Volvo has been a game-changer. So nice to be in. Has this also made a difference to cabbies? Do you work longer now because it's quieter and more luxurious? I know they cost a bomb but in the long-run are they actually better value? Thanks
I did the knowledge for about 5 years and really enjoyed it. Covid changed it for me suddenly there was loads of road closures and it was so hard to keep up with the blue book runs constantly changing. In the end I moved to Kent and couldn’t afford to keep doing it, I had got to the pointing stage. I only wanted to be a cab driver around my job as a firefighter and it didn’t seem worth it with the amount of expenses I would have to shell out to drive an electric cab. Shame as I would have loved to finish it.
I used to fit high end kitchens in central London but stoped eight nine years ago as driving I London is just a joke now. I’m an early starter so would leave be 06:00 and could be most places by 07/07:30 but the trip home was just getting daft. The one thing for me is the little fella and his war on the motorist. So It must be impossible for black cabs as they are out in it everyday.
Why would anyone want to spend all their money and time on the knowledge, when they can send off a form, get a sat nav and away they go?! Unfortunately uber has fucked you guys over. Hopefully they won’t roll it out in anymore city’s in the uk.
@@54spatula . That's not the case . it's the 70000 pound cab that has fucked the trade . Tell uber that you all have to buy a 70000 pound car and see how uber get on .
33 years I've been driving a cab coming up to 65 years old now and got a electric cab, £99000 when I finish paying for it then I'll be one of the drivers leaving the game for good, you can't do the job properly now anyway to many road works ect.
@@54spatula . do you know anything about the electric cab ? you got new ones breaking down . 40k for a second hand cab that will cost you 15k to just replace the battery . you could get a second had one for 15 k before the electric cab .do uber pay 40k for a second hand car ? no .
I just got my cab licence in Northern Ireland, it was difficult to get past the theory test but apart from that it was a breeze. I'm just thankful we don't need to pass The Knowledge here
@@rogerphelps9939The theory test you have to do as part of the training, just like the car test except it's much harder because there's no actual practice tests. Thankfully one of the big taxi companies in NI have free online courses to help
Mark , been PHV driver in London for years and years I always wanted to be a black cab but this knowledge test take me back , and definitely in no years will be finish black cabs if they don’t stop this knowledge and they make easier for people to apply for
Hey Tom, are there any American taxi drivers in London? I'd be willing to try it! Also, how does one go about doing a private airport run booking with you?
Funnily enough, it really appeals to me. I love driving and love London but I am not in my 20s and seems daunting just even starting. However, I really do detest office politics etc. Great video.
Tom you’re a fantastic ambassador for the Black Cab brand. Before I started watching your videos, I really would never have considered them an option. Nowadays I try to ride Public Hire whenever I can. Do you think there should be more advertising as to the benefits of riding black?
I am one of the 33%. Sorry for blowing my own trumpet but I was one of London’s best cab drivers. After 48 years of giving Londoners a first class service TFL went back on their word. I had a perfectly good taxi that could have stayed on the road for many many years. TFL changed the rules and said that cabs over 15 years old could not be used. Then they reduced it to 12 years. This meant my cab had to be sold to the Liverpool cab drivers. Now at the age of 72 my only choice was to purchase a £66,000 electric cab or retire. So yes TFL have lost one of London’s best cab drivers because of their unreasonable rules.
@@FindItOn as a taxi driver with the knowledge you should know where every traffic light and camera is, you should know the streets like the back of your hand so why would you be getting points? Isn't that the point of a London Taxi driver? They should know everything.
I guess the next question you didn't address is, "Yes, the numbers are down, but is there a shortage of taxi drivers?". What's the right number for London, if it's no longer 25,000? Maybe the market is just sorting itself out and this is the new level, with Uber around. It usually takes a few years for markets to balance themselves out to a new normal. Since even drivers don't like to go out in bad weather and late at night to dodgy areas, some areas and times will always be short of taxis. Is there an average ratio of population to drivers, factoring in all the public transport, to come up with the right number of needed taxi drivers?
Even where I live in Kent there;s been a decline in the number of Taxis and the drivers that there are seem more interested in guaranteed contract work such as school runs
TFL and the lifespan of a taxi before you have to pay for a new one are the main reasons I left the trade. Plus when i left in 2017 there were far fewer roads that i could use and 20mph roads were starting to crop up. No loved the job but the job had changed dramatically from the time I started in 2002.
Great video Tom on the kol now a lot of trouble I find is cost bike 2k books and apps bike ins nearly 1k you have to work to fund yourself therefore I lose time instead of full time commitment maybe more grants could be given?. It’s not cheap to do kol but still luv doing it.please keep the videos coming👍
Hello Tom? I’m really dying to start the knowledge but funds are tight right now.. do you think I can do runs on an e-bike rather than a moped… is it possible to do 4 runs a day on it??
I've personally been dreaming about moving to London and doing the Knowledge and becoming a cabbie for a couple years but there's one major thing stopping me. Brexit. As a Swede and an EU-citizen my chances of legally emigrating to the UK are practically non-existent. My only chance is if a UK-citizen sponsored me and I just don't see anyone doing that. So I'm just stuck in Stockholm, continuing my dead-end job while waiting for that eternal nap.
if you had a mate in the UK you could give them money and then they sponsor just gotta work through the loopholes man the system is rigged rules set by people who eat, sleep and fart just like everyone else
Is there lies the problem everybody if we all want to get along we need to go to other countries and work there there should be a program where you can just apply to get a work visa for 2 years but you have to do it for 2 years like you you get to go to London for 2 years somebody would go to Stockholm for 2 years and do that out the world that's an ally to your country of course I think that would just be good did everybody would get that experience living somewhere else working somewhere else I hope you get there someday
I would love to be a London cabbie, but it is such a difficult line of work to get into when you are already a full-time worker who can't commit the time to study the Knowledge, as well as the massive monetary costs of getting started, and London being less of a pleasant place to work due to crime, driving restrictions etc.
How much impact do you think the future career prospects are having? Someone starting out now as a taxi driver has a pretty decent chance of being replaced by self driving cars at some point in their career. Even if it takes another 10 years, it doesn't seem like a good career move to be going into a field you know is going to die in your working lifetime.
I think it's very unlikely for driverless cars to take over within 10 years, there not even legal in this country and the upgrading of londons infrastructure will takes years, also electric cars have been around decades and have still not taken over yet.
I always been interested in being a black cab driver only been put off on the cost of everything like the cab and insurance prices to start out I work for just eat and Uber eats and I learned a lot riding around London working with these companies
Is it legal to buy the old diesel taxis as family cars? You just can't use them as taxis, but could you drive them into London? Not sure if you'd get a fine or just have to deal with people trying to get a ride off you. I thought some people liked buying old taxis for hauling their family and stuff around.
To be honest the one thing you havent touched on is the increasing gap in wages for gen z, yes there are some with these cushy well paid jobs but most gen z I know are working minimum wage jobs including in jobs with long, anti-social hours. With the rising cost of living espically in cities like London and the ever increasing housing cost the knowledgeable is just not a feasible option anymore. Imagine working 12 hour shifts in a physically demanding place to barely scrape by, what money and what time do you have to go out and learn the routes. Also transport,insurance on a moped in London is ridiculous so for someone barley covering the basics a moped is a luxury that many cant afford or dont want with how good public transport is. Thurdly, like you said the entrance costs are insanely high and forcsomeone without much or any savings at all, how are they going to afford insurance, vehicle hire/purchase prices without being saddled with insane amounts off debt, with no holiday pay, sick pay, pension. To me rhis job is no longer working class, it used to be working class lads who used to do this role and it was a viable route for them, a good earner and a good honest living.
I would like to get into taxi driving but the knowledge is far too long for me. Plus having a Monday-Friday job really limits the amount of time I’d have to learn the knowledge. That’s probably the biggest barrier
One for the “Ask me anything”-episode: What’s your experience driving in Amsterdam and/or in NL in general? (In any way; as a cabby, as a tourist by car, heck, even as a cyclist, which traffic, driving-culture (which I have personally hate in Amsterdam compared to the rest of NL), parking next to the canals… Etc. All the good, the bad and the ugly stories.)
Hi Tom lovely video as always. It's worth noting that not only PHV doubled, but also they are now all working in central London clogging roads up everywhere, without a clue of where they are going. TFL is solely responsible for this shambles. The amount of cars driving through London since uber got allowed to operate is a joke. The implementation of LTNs is a direct consequence of this. This ultimately prevents us from doing our job efficiently. All this had a massive impact on the amount of cab drivers leaving the trade. BL
Before watching until the end of the video, I'd argue the main reason for less cabbies is the increased cost of motoring and demographic changes these days. Back in the day, cheap as chips for youngsters in the 80s to buy a used Fiesta or Nova or Escort something like that, no congestion charges/ULEZ/ etc in London which is naturally where most cabbies would be. Nowadays it costs a tonne to insure, for young drivers to buy cars and all that. Without drivers in the first place people won't then become cabbies. I think the allure of the job has been somewhat lost on most young people too.
licencing is not evolving with the times. Hackeys are great but the private hire sector has taken over and technology has changed. In my hometown i can drive someone from A-B-C witout using wayz. But i couldnt tell you half of the street names which means i couldnt pass my council knowledge. We have a massive shortage of hackneys, but private hire is cheaper as a driver and more expensive for the customers so why would i go to the effort of learning
New York and other cities in the USA have also seen a decline in the traditional taxi business for a variety of similar reasons as well as some unique to each of them. Even immigrants have more job options and don't see being a traditional London taxi driver as a good way to make money, especially with the massive increase in the cost of living in the UK overall and far worse in the London area. I also wonder if in London how Brexit has changed the core customer base has declined in the banking, financial services and insurance/reinsurance job market as jobs shifted to EU countries. Also, the decline of in-office work as many work from home now, less post-workday events or going to bars could be factors. Nightlife in London has declined, you have more late night bus options, many work far away from their residences.
The trade is being ruined by politicians and Councillors making ridiculous rules. The EV thing is the worst. How can anyone (outside London) make a living trying to pay off a hybrid cab costing £70K+. These Councillors are living in cloud cuckoo land. They have done nothing about the scurge of uber, either, they are scared of them. I finished in 2018 after 25 years as an owner driver Hackney man. I loved the job, but were so cheesed off with the Council attitude to the trade, and the way things were going, I packed it in. My family had been in the Hackney trade for 65 years. I do miss it, but not the ''regulators''.
Rory Sutherland wrote a book called Alchemy. In the chapter on signalling he talks about the level of commitment displayed by black cab drivers as a signal of how professional they are and dedicated to their job, giving passengers a sense of comfort and security. Uber does something similar, but with its ratings system and end to end tracking of each journey. ❓How much value do the public place on each of these? ❓
Mind blowing amount of £ to earn before even making a profit after paying for 100K cab ! On top of that customers moaning about fares and traffic gridlock is enough to turn anyone off becoming a cabbie. Yes, I was a cabbie in London. Oh, I forgot to mention the enormous amount TfL support for unfair competition, the media sometimes attack the taxi trade, no holiday pay, no sick pay, no employment protectionm, no pension 😮... Only thing going for the trade is the freedom to be your own boss.
It’s the knowledge and people who compare it with university don’t get it twisted. You can study at your prime age, a lot of people like myself in the late 30s just don’t have the same motivation and determination to go back and study.
Why did you not talk about the amount it costs to be a taxi driver to do the knowledge? A very close friend of mine who lived in London all her life, was about to do the knowledge but could not find the money to help her out, what with working for a supermarket for 6 years. She said that it comes down to paying her rent and bills or paying to be a taxi driver, she chose the former. £5000 she said it would cost her over 3 years, doing part time work at the supermarket for only £500 a month.
8:45 It's a bit like saying we don't have enough doctors, so why don't we just remove the need for them to have a medical degree Now we have more doctors, but is the end result really going to be better?
It's nothing to do with knowledge am a taxi owner not private hire people are using apps calling a company even in my area 10 years ago 200 taxis now 51. purpose built vechiles 62k over a grand a month
My renewal pack dropped through the door on Friday. I’m joining the retired / missing section from the 5th November. I’m ‘only’ 55, but can’t stand London and its vehicle hating councils anymore, plus our choice of one vehicle which constantly eats erad’s means I’d have to work full time. So that’s another one less in front. I can’t say I’ve missed it for the last 6 months.
Self-driving cars haven't a hope in central London. Traffic movements and street layouts are far too complex for a machine - however sophisticated - to navigate. It will always need a human being . . .
Taxi driver friend got. cancer so had to stop driving tfl sent sent letter threatening him with court action if doesn't send badge back a badge which you pay for what other organisation does that they talk about mental health yet his. mental health decline after recieving threatening letter another driver received same letter who's accountable surprised they get away with it orgs must know but do nothing
The convenience of getting a cab through an app has had a big impact on black taxis and if you do book a cab through an app a black taxi is the last one you would think about booking because of the price. I believe the knowledge has become dumbed down a lot already given the amount of taxi drivers you see now who struggle to speak and make sense with the English language. It makes you wonder how they managed calling the runs in the exam.
@@rexwilliams4528 not need surge black cabs they already doing surge 24/7 … No congestion charge Bus lanes U-turns wherever they wish This is a good surge isn’t pal?
@CesarCastillo-vo4vd No surge price Have completed the knowledge to allow for congestion charge exemption and bus lane use. This is also to allow for pick up of all passengers including disabled as taxis are the only 100% fleet of wheelchair accessible vehicles U turns are legally allowed
![Tesla Taxi FULL HEALTH CHECK: Is The Battery RUINED After 430,000 Miles? [Episode 4]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/doAcNVuTnXU/mqdefault.jpg)
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Congratulations 100k
have more black taxi apps -and publicise them. have more taxi ranks.
stop cabbies refusing journeys. smarten up cabbies - some look like beachcombers.
get cabbies to help people in and out of their cabs if they need help, don't sit on your arse and watch me struggle .
----------------------------
go back to all new taxis being black . ( New York cabs are all yellow .... keep it the same colour as it used to be )
-----------------------------
and listen to groups of taxi users - and ex taxi users. stop being dinosaurs.
----------------------------
I am a customer - treat me as a customer. otherwise like John Lewis you will keep declining...I never use Uber but they are taking your customers.
( used Uber once - Mortlake cemetery to The Coach and Horses at Kew Green - not booked by me - and falling apart so did not walk it )
I was a taxi driver up until Covid struck , i was out of work for a year until I went back to my old trade that I did before I became a taxi driver . The building trade is booming .
For me being made to drive an expensive cab and then being told I can’t drive on certain roads is a kick in the ging gangs .
I’ve renewed my licence and maybe one day I will come back . Not yet though .
All the best Tom
as a taxi driver could you pull 500 coins in a day
@@Wtizrealimpossible
@@johnny207 ill do it
Many like us
@@WtizrealI'm on the knowledge and we got a group chat. And one guy made about a grand in a day. Was a busy Saturday
Had my badge 24yrs now. Only worked a cab 3 weeks since the first lockdown. I’m not renewing my bill this time. My circumstances mean that life is easier being in paid employment than paying huge expenses coupled with no holiday pay, pension etc, break downs and every other single ex (including tipping the cab wash fella 😂). Job is not as flexible. The vehicles are too expensive and I paid what I thought was a huge amount for my tx4 (£683) when I bought it.
Honestly I really enjoyed the job as it was years ago but I’m less stressed now and the small inconveniences of being employed I can deal with. I’ll still have the memories that TfL can’t ruin.
The 15 year thing is pure insanity considering the cost of it you broke down in previous videos.
It is off course why they gave money to delicense. That was paying for the loss you rightly mentioned
What a brilliantly informative video! I rarely use black cabs (rely mostly on public transport) but watching your videos makes me appreciate the trade so much
I will be in your city soon. I’m from Florida. Wouldn’t that be just the ultimate thing if I found Tom the taxi driver sitting outside Heathrow waiting to pick me up that would be fantastic. You have a great channel! I’ve learned a lot not that I wanna be taxi driver, but I can’t wait to see your beautiful city and countryside. Thanks for the great content.
You would have o be stupid tto take a taxi from Heahrow to central London. There are cheaper and faster alternatives.
@@rogerphelps9939convenience,safety,reliability and exceptional space all come at a cost. Sure if you want cheap there is plenty to choose from.
@@rogerphelps9939 its apart of london history ... tourists love taking the cabs same as ny taxi's ... dont be so silly
Driving in London has never been great and it's getting worse. Restrictons and the constant threat of points, the constant ever growing congestion of endless roadworks and an ever more populated city and then having to inve potentially 3 or 4 years into something with no gurantee of success while having to still hold down a full time job because cost of living means especially in London where I'm surprised you are not taxed for the oxygen you breathe where are people finding the time?
77k plus interest for a TXE its just far to expensive. A lot of drivers in their 60s won't commit rather give up ,£350/£400 to rent to much.
Would a young man/woman spent 3 years on the knowledge or train for a trade where there is over 100k vacancies.
It's just become far too expensive The repayments for an levc txe added to all the other expenses including tax your talking £30k+ before you kick a ball, it's a lifestyle no holiday pay, no pension contributions, sick pay, then no earning capability while dealing with breakdowns etc, you must work 70 hours plus a week to make a living and no social life
Although I'm now teetotal 😭
How common is it for two drivers to share a cab? So one doing early shifts and another doing late shifts with the same vehicle?
Love thid vid tom from someone on 28s and having left uni 2 yeard ago working in a corporate, i couldnt agree more mate.
I think your missing a huge point of the Uber side. Uber have a server in Wolverhampton, because of that they can get a Private hire plate from Wolverhampton and work anywhere in the country because the fare ping from customer phone anywhere to the server to back out to the driver, Bypassing alot of area licencing rules
Wondered why there were so many Wolverhampton cab plates down here in Portsmouth!!
Think it was a court case called Bassam V Green down in Brighton that allowed that.
Not in London though
Noticing your a bit if a watch guy tom, nice vintage piece you got on
It is a shame it’s a dying trade if anybody is to blame I blame TFL licensing laws mandatory updates six points on your driving license. The risks don’t outweigh the rewards and this is the problem. TFL are trying to drive out black cabs and private hire and let’s face it that we’ve got who loves London loves the population of London and as everyone’s best interest at heart which is a load of crap is making it harder and harder I think in the next 5 to 10 years, London Street will be like the film. I am legend empty.
Could be that in the last 5 years, older drivers would face the decision to replace there older cab for the new one you have.
If your old cab is all paid for and your just doing 3/4 days a week earning without the expense of the vehicle, do they really want to take on a big commitment like a brand new cab with monthly costs ......
Your new cab is expensive it's not cheap.
In my opinion it's only worth it if your planning to carry on in the trade for many years to come.
I did mention that
Think that guy commented without seeing the full video Tom😂
@@ebismusic8813
Correct I didn't watch it all lol spot on.
Sorry.
Will do next time
The Black Cab trade is a tricky one because whilst I value the fact that the driver has done the knowledge and the cab will be clean etc, the service will be good etc I am happy to pay for that.
Unfortunately most ppl especially the younger generation just don't care about this, all they care about is paying the least possible, to your average Joe the knowledge does not mean anything.
It’s not just London! My town only has 1 wheelchair accessible vehicle and he only works week day 8 til 5
10:00: Hang on, last month I definitely saw a taxi driver plying an Austin FX4. Is that some sort of heritage tour or something rather than a regular taxi?
Definitely. Cabs can only be max 12 years old
- Speed cameras everywhere
- Low traffic neighbourhoods
- the relentless war on cars
- being forced to buy an expensive new electric cab
- more and more red tape every year
Why would you even bother.
- Speed cameras everywhere - only a problem if you break the law
- Low traffic neighbourhoods - stops people driving silly through residential areas
- the relentless war on cars - not enough room in london for this many cars. less cars means more space for cabs
- being forced to buy an expensive new electric cab - agree with you, overpriced junk
- more and more red tape every year - no idea what that actually means
And if lucky, you might be able to get a work from home job, which means you are earning a wage packet without having to leave home.
Why do you ‘have’ to buy an electric cab? Isn’t there any other vehicle available? Don’t ford make Hackney taxis ?
Very informative Tom
One of your best full of relevant info 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
This was quality Tom enjoyed it mate very nice
Hey Tom, love the videos, was seriously thinking about doing the knowledge, spoke to my dads mate whose a black ack cab driver and drivers a tX4, I’m 6’8 and have no chance of fitting in the drivers seat, on let alone driving it, he managed to borrow his friends TXE and again same problem. I was really upset, I’ll be honest I’m glad checked to see as I’d have been devastated if I’d have done 2/3years knowledge only to find out after that I couldn’t fit in one
Don’t bother applying to train as a commercial airline pilot either.
Tom, I was a Liverpool Black Cab Driver (Hackney as we call it here) with the Sat Nav brigade came along, who couldn’t find the toilet without one.
People can’t afford spending years doing the knowledge, unless they are guaranteed they will earn a lot more than a Uber driver, mini cab etc etc, unlike London, we use to have to buy our plates, which when I bought mine, it cost just less than my first house a semi.
We had to put the hours in, working every busy hour going.
No private hire then, things have changed, thousands upon thousands, of private hire now, with plates from here there and everywhere.
Working here there and everywhere.
With Sat Nav’s the Knowledge really needs to be accessed and brought in to the present.
Hi Tom
Hope u well and I am on 1st appearance on Monday so hopefully i will score. Keep tubing bro because your videos is educational itself.
Great video Tom. Really enjoyed this video. Some honest and good facts. I may do this on the truckers industry 👍
Tom, you mentioned the green and yellow badges and have done in other videos. Can you tell us more about the blue historic taxi badges?
Blue is a tour guiding badge. Nothing to do with taxis
I’m watching and listening from America. Enjoying you Tom and your attitude. If I had the money to travel I would want to come to London just to hire you for a tour and rides to wherever. We were all so relieved to get back to work but unfortunately rona effects of destruction left us with debt higher prices for all things, and it’s all tenuous at best as we are all hanging by a thread. Those of you that have money and carry on are blessed. Many cannot. I applaud your steadfast stamina to continue! Thank you🙏🏻😉
As a regular (daily) user of black cabs in London, the newish hybrid taxi based on a Volvo has been a game-changer. So nice to be in. Has this also made a difference to cabbies? Do you work longer now because it's quieter and more luxurious? I know they cost a bomb but in the long-run are they actually better value? Thanks
Yes Tommy, I gave up in 2020 I still got my licence I'm 34 . The levc killed the game way to much money
I did the knowledge for about 5 years and really enjoyed it. Covid changed it for me suddenly there was loads of road closures and it was so hard to keep up with the blue book runs constantly changing. In the end I moved to Kent and couldn’t afford to keep doing it, I had got to the pointing stage. I only wanted to be a cab driver around my job as a firefighter and it didn’t seem worth it with the amount of expenses I would have to shell out to drive an electric cab.
Shame as I would have loved to finish it.
Even short journeys are too expensive relative to walking for free or a tube journey.
I used to fit high end kitchens in central London but stoped eight nine years ago as driving I London is just a joke now. I’m an early starter so would leave be 06:00 and could be most places by 07/07:30 but the trip home was just getting daft. The one thing for me is the little fella and his war on the motorist. So It must be impossible for black cabs as they are out in it everyday.
Why would anyone want to spend all their money and time on the knowledge, when they can send off a form, get a sat nav and away they go?! Unfortunately uber has fucked you guys over. Hopefully they won’t roll it out in anymore city’s in the uk.
@@54spatula . That's not the case . it's the 70000 pound cab that has fucked the trade . Tell uber that you all have to buy a 70000 pound car and see how uber get on .
@@ag7337 why would you need to spend that much on a cab? get a second hand one.
33 years I've been driving a cab coming up to 65 years old now and got a electric cab, £99000 when I finish paying for it then I'll be one of the drivers leaving the game for good, you can't do the job properly now anyway to many road works ect.
@@54spatula . do you know anything about the electric cab ? you got new ones breaking down . 40k for a second hand cab that will cost you 15k to just replace the battery . you could get a second had one for 15 k before the electric cab .do uber pay 40k for a second hand car ? no .
@@ag7337 do all London cabs have to be electric?
Thanks for this Tom!
People can't afford to do the knowledge with the rising cost of living.
Yeah that is the problem, it can still be done part time however takes a lot of discipline to work 5 days and do the knowledge 2 days without a break
Sorry but thats absolutely rubbish. Many people do the knowledge making sacrifices both financially and socially.
@@Tommyfletch7790Boomer?
Feels like a Knowledge apprenticeship where you can take passengers at certain point in your training would be a good idea
@user-lf6ls9vb5y yes, but everyone's situation is different. Everyone has different financial commitments.
I just got my cab licence in Northern Ireland, it was difficult to get past the theory test but apart from that it was a breeze. I'm just thankful we don't need to pass The Knowledge here
What theory?
@@rogerphelps9939The theory test you have to do as part of the training, just like the car test except it's much harder because there's no actual practice tests. Thankfully one of the big taxi companies in NI have free online courses to help
Mark , been PHV driver in London for years and years I always wanted to be a black cab but this knowledge test take me back , and definitely in no years will be finish black cabs if they don’t stop this knowledge and they make easier for people to apply for
I am a non-driver. Can I apply for the Knowledge first, then apply for my car driving licence afterwards?
Correct! You can do it on a moped without a car licence. Or even a push bike
TFL making drivers lives difficult
TfL = Totally fucked London. Sad but true.
Hey Tom, are there any American taxi drivers in London? I'd be willing to try it! Also, how does one go about doing a private airport run booking with you?
Funnily enough, it really appeals to me. I love driving and love London but I am not in my 20s and seems daunting just even starting. However, I really do detest office politics etc.
Great video.
Tom you’re a fantastic ambassador for the Black Cab brand. Before I started watching your videos, I really would never have considered them an option. Nowadays I try to ride Public Hire whenever I can. Do you think there should be more advertising as to the benefits of riding black?
I am one of the 33%. Sorry for blowing my own trumpet but I was one of London’s best cab drivers. After 48 years of giving Londoners a first class service TFL went back on their word. I had a perfectly good taxi that could have stayed on the road for many many years. TFL changed the rules and said that cabs over 15 years old could not be used. Then they reduced it to 12 years. This meant my cab had to be sold to the Liverpool cab drivers. Now at the age of 72 my only choice was to purchase a £66,000 electric cab or retire. So yes TFL have lost one of London’s best cab drivers because of their unreasonable rules.
Tom - been watching your channel for some time and just subscribed as your are so close to 100k subscribers ... great content again
The jobs just to expensive unless your prepared to do a 60/70hr week
And the constant threat of points.
@@FindItOn Strangely if you don't speed you don't get points...
@@FindItOn as a taxi driver with the knowledge you should know where every traffic light and camera is, you should know the streets like the back of your hand so why would you be getting points? Isn't that the point of a London Taxi driver? They should know everything.
@@alanx216 they put up approx 35 new speed cameras or traffic lights in london a week
are you a black cab driver
how much coins can you make in a week
I've been driving in london for 17 years and never got any points
I guess the next question you didn't address is, "Yes, the numbers are down, but is there a shortage of taxi drivers?". What's the right number for London, if it's no longer 25,000? Maybe the market is just sorting itself out and this is the new level, with Uber around. It usually takes a few years for markets to balance themselves out to a new normal. Since even drivers don't like to go out in bad weather and late at night to dodgy areas, some areas and times will always be short of taxis. Is there an average ratio of population to drivers, factoring in all the public transport, to come up with the right number of needed taxi drivers?
Even where I live in Kent there;s been a decline in the number of Taxis and the drivers that there are seem more interested in guaranteed contract work such as school runs
TFL and the lifespan of a taxi before you have to pay for a new one are the main reasons I left the trade. Plus when i left in 2017 there were far fewer roads that i could use and 20mph roads were starting to crop up. No loved the job but the job had changed dramatically from the time I started in 2002.
Great video Tom on the kol now a lot of trouble I find is cost bike 2k books and apps bike ins nearly 1k you have to work to fund yourself therefore I lose time instead of full time commitment maybe more grants could be given?. It’s not cheap to do kol but still luv doing it.please keep the videos coming👍
Hello Tom? I’m really dying to start the knowledge but funds are tight right now.. do you think I can do runs on an e-bike rather than a moped… is it possible to do 4 runs a day on it??
I've personally been dreaming about moving to London and doing the Knowledge and becoming a cabbie for a couple years but there's one major thing stopping me. Brexit. As a Swede and an EU-citizen my chances of legally emigrating to the UK are practically non-existent. My only chance is if a UK-citizen sponsored me and I just don't see anyone doing that. So I'm just stuck in Stockholm, continuing my dead-end job while waiting for that eternal nap.
I gotchu
if you had a mate in the UK you could give them money and then they sponsor
just gotta work through the loopholes man
the system is rigged rules set by people who eat, sleep and fart just like everyone else
Is there lies the problem everybody if we all want to get along we need to go to other countries and work there there should be a program where you can just apply to get a work visa for 2 years but you have to do it for 2 years like you you get to go to London for 2 years somebody would go to Stockholm for 2 years and do that out the world that's an ally to your country of course I think that would just be good did everybody would get that experience living somewhere else working somewhere else I hope you get there someday
I am pretty sure that just about all London cabbies were in favour of Brexit.
really interesting.good luck 🙏
I would love to be a London cabbie, but it is such a difficult line of work to get into when you are already a full-time worker who can't commit the time to study the Knowledge, as well as the massive monetary costs of getting started, and London being less of a pleasant place to work due to crime, driving restrictions etc.
Wow so close to 100k subs. Good job in advance.
How much impact do you think the future career prospects are having? Someone starting out now as a taxi driver has a pretty decent chance of being replaced by self driving cars at some point in their career. Even if it takes another 10 years, it doesn't seem like a good career move to be going into a field you know is going to die in your working lifetime.
I think it's very unlikely for driverless cars to take over within 10 years, there not even legal in this country and the upgrading of londons infrastructure will takes years, also electric cars have been around decades and have still not taken over yet.
I always been interested in being a black cab driver only been put off on the cost of everything like the cab and insurance prices to start out I work for just eat and Uber eats and I learned a lot riding around London working with these companies
Just a heads up, it's not x-cetera
Growing in London taxis never really wanted to go to South London had that a few time in the 90s 🤔
PHV would never be able to pass the “Knowledge” as most don’t have a clue how to drive let alone how to get there.
I sold my taxi last week .. back on the tools .. was getting too expensive for the cab.
Interesting, may I ask how much the weekly/monthly payments cost and how many hours you worked a week?
Is it legal to buy the old diesel taxis as family cars? You just can't use them as taxis, but could you drive them into London? Not sure if you'd get a fine or just have to deal with people trying to get a ride off you. I thought some people liked buying old taxis for hauling their family and stuff around.
Yes you can , but insurance would be high
To be honest the one thing you havent touched on is the increasing gap in wages for gen z, yes there are some with these cushy well paid jobs but most gen z I know are working minimum wage jobs including in jobs with long, anti-social hours. With the rising cost of living espically in cities like London and the ever increasing housing cost the knowledgeable is just not a feasible option anymore. Imagine working 12 hour shifts in a physically demanding place to barely scrape by, what money and what time do you have to go out and learn the routes. Also transport,insurance on a moped in London is ridiculous so for someone barley covering the basics a moped is a luxury that many cant afford or dont want with how good public transport is. Thurdly, like you said the entrance costs are insanely high and forcsomeone without much or any savings at all, how are they going to afford insurance, vehicle hire/purchase prices without being saddled with insane amounts off debt, with no holiday pay, sick pay, pension. To me rhis job is no longer working class, it used to be working class lads who used to do this role and it was a viable route for them, a good earner and a good honest living.
I would like to get into taxi driving but the knowledge is far too long for me. Plus having a Monday-Friday job really limits the amount of time I’d have to learn the knowledge. That’s probably the biggest barrier
Just an excuse. I was working 5 days a week, living in North Essex. I’d argue working it around a job makes it easier
@@TomtheTaxiDriver how so? I live in Essex too and don’t really have time to go driving into London after that
One for the “Ask me anything”-episode: What’s your experience driving in Amsterdam and/or in NL in general? (In any way; as a cabby, as a tourist by car, heck, even as a cyclist, which traffic, driving-culture (which I have personally hate in Amsterdam compared to the rest of NL), parking next to the canals… Etc. All the good, the bad and the ugly stories.)
With a lack of taxis, are people who own their taxis able to sublet them to others? Say for a couple months if you go on a long vacation?
Tom if you don’t mind me asking is that a double size bed or single if you see this message please reply and where did you buy it from Tom
Lack of choice and affordability of new cab is also big problem. Oh and reliability
Can uber drivers park at a taxi stand and pick up passengers? Or is it some unmarked car that might pull up to your location at some point
Too expensive. Sat nav on your own phone. Taxis have become a luxury. Working from home etc.
75k for a taxi is like a mortgage.Many northerners have mortgages of around 75k or less.
Hi Tom lovely video as always.
It's worth noting that not only PHV doubled, but also they are now all working in central London clogging roads up everywhere, without a clue of where they are going. TFL is solely responsible for this shambles.
The amount of cars driving through London since uber got allowed to operate is a joke.
The implementation of LTNs is a direct consequence of this.
This ultimately prevents us from doing our job efficiently.
All this had a massive impact on the amount of cab drivers leaving the trade.
BL
Before watching until the end of the video, I'd argue the main reason for less cabbies is the increased cost of motoring and demographic changes these days. Back in the day, cheap as chips for youngsters in the 80s to buy a used Fiesta or Nova or Escort something like that, no congestion charges/ULEZ/ etc in London which is naturally where most cabbies would be. Nowadays it costs a tonne to insure, for young drivers to buy cars and all that. Without drivers in the first place people won't then become cabbies. I think the allure of the job has been somewhat lost on most young people too.
licencing is not evolving with the times. Hackeys are great but the private hire sector has taken over and technology has changed. In my hometown i can drive someone from A-B-C witout using wayz. But i couldnt tell you half of the street names which means i couldnt pass my council knowledge.
We have a massive shortage of hackneys, but private hire is cheaper as a driver and more expensive for the customers so why would i go to the effort of learning
New York and other cities in the USA have also seen a decline in the traditional taxi business for a variety of similar reasons as well as some unique to each of them.
Even immigrants have more job options and don't see being a traditional London taxi driver as a good way to make money, especially with the massive increase in the cost of living in the UK overall and far worse in the London area.
I also wonder if in London how Brexit has changed the core customer base has declined in the banking, financial services and insurance/reinsurance job market as jobs shifted to EU countries. Also, the decline of in-office work as many work from home now, less post-workday events or going to bars could be factors. Nightlife in London has declined, you have more late night bus options, many work far away from their residences.
The trade is being ruined by politicians and Councillors making ridiculous rules. The EV thing is the worst. How can anyone (outside London) make a living trying to pay off a hybrid
cab costing £70K+. These Councillors are living in cloud cuckoo land. They have done nothing about the scurge of uber, either, they are scared of them. I finished in 2018 after 25 years as an owner driver Hackney man. I loved the job, but were so cheesed off with the Council attitude to the trade, and the way things were going, I packed it in. My family had been in the Hackney trade for 65 years. I do miss it, but not the ''regulators''.
Maybe it’s the “regulators”, or the industry, and not just “The EV or hybrid” as a car?
I don't want to be breathing exhaust fumes from an ICE taxi when I visit London.
How long have you had your badge?
Hi Tom i see you like to ride trials bikes but do you ride any other categories?
Rory Sutherland wrote a book called Alchemy. In the chapter on signalling he talks about the level of commitment displayed by black cab drivers as a signal of how professional they are and dedicated to their job, giving passengers a sense of comfort and security. Uber does something similar, but with its ratings system and end to end tracking of each journey.
❓How much value do the public place on each of these? ❓
Mind blowing amount of £ to earn before even making a profit after paying for 100K cab ! On top of that customers moaning about fares and traffic gridlock is enough to turn anyone off becoming a cabbie. Yes, I was a cabbie in London. Oh, I forgot to mention the enormous amount TfL support for unfair competition, the media sometimes attack the taxi trade, no holiday pay, no sick pay, no employment protectionm, no pension 😮... Only thing going for the trade is the freedom to be your own boss.
It’s the knowledge and people who compare it with university don’t get it twisted. You can study at your prime age, a lot of people like myself in the late 30s just don’t have the same motivation and determination to go back and study.
Nobody can be arsed with the knowledge when you can get a uber badge and start earning money immediately without a load of hassle.
Why did you not talk about the amount it costs to be a taxi driver to do the knowledge?
A very close friend of mine who lived in London all her life, was about to do the knowledge but could not find the money to help her out, what with working for a supermarket for 6 years. She said that it comes down to paying her rent and bills or paying to be a taxi driver, she chose the former. £5000 she said it would cost her over 3 years, doing part time work at the supermarket for only £500 a month.
Tom I love your videos from Kuwait
Great video Sir
8:45 It's a bit like saying we don't have enough doctors, so why don't we just remove the need for them to have a medical degree
Now we have more doctors, but is the end result really going to be better?
great watch thank you for shring.
It's nothing to do with knowledge am a taxi owner not private hire people are using apps calling a company even in my area 10 years ago 200 taxis now 51. purpose built vechiles 62k over a grand a month
The knowledge is an utterly ridiculous thing to ‘have to’ do just to drive!!! No wonder people don’t do it and cabbies are falling in numbers.
The knowledge is to difficult and to expensive , there’s no need for it now, not with state of the art sat nav.
Your last 2 videos explained why. It costs 18k quid to run the taxi and people that don't pay get away with it.
Freedom is priceless.
That statement lacks any context and is meaningless.
@@dunebasher1971 the context is the last bit of the video where he says he chose autonomy over a corporate lifestyle.
My renewal pack dropped through the door on Friday. I’m joining the retired / missing section from the 5th November. I’m ‘only’ 55, but can’t stand London and its vehicle hating councils anymore, plus our choice of one vehicle which constantly eats erad’s means I’d have to work full time. So that’s another one less in front.
I can’t say I’ve missed it for the last 6 months.
there is an alternative coming but you wont like it… its self driving cars, robotaxis 😅
Self-driving cars haven't a hope in central London. Traffic movements and street layouts are far too complex for a machine - however sophisticated - to navigate. It will always need a human being . . .
If they're missing, maybe they flunked the knowledge and got lost. They're probably all in Clapham Junction or the Heathrow waiting lot.
Taxi driver friend got. cancer so had to stop driving tfl sent sent letter threatening him with court action if doesn't send badge back a badge which you pay for what other organisation does that they talk about mental health yet his. mental health decline after recieving threatening letter another driver received same letter who's accountable surprised they get away with it orgs must know but do nothing
much like printed media you cant fight the inevitable death of an industry behind the times.
So Uber can be petrol/diesel but not Black Cabs? Plus all the extra licencing and regulations fot Black Cabs. Seem like a very unfair game...
Does it still worth doing it?
I love it
@@TomtheTaxiDriver thank you, am thinking to do it but I was quite hesitant coz of Uber and other companies
Thre will be no problem ... Sadly for taxy drivers they will be replaced by robo taxis eventually ... 😢
The convenience of getting a cab through an app has had a big impact on black taxis and if you do book a cab through an app a black taxi is the last one you would think about booking because of the price. I believe the knowledge has become dumbed down a lot already given the amount of taxi drivers you see now who struggle to speak and make sense with the English language. It makes you wonder how they managed calling the runs in the exam.
Quota drivers.......
We couldn’t have 25000 drivers now not with 90000 Ubers out here
LHR - W1 Uber £50
LHR- W1 black cab £95
Thanks
@CesarCastillo-vo4vd
No surge in taxis
@@rexwilliams4528 not need surge black cabs they already doing surge 24/7 …
No congestion charge
Bus lanes
U-turns wherever they wish
This is a good surge isn’t pal?
@CesarCastillo-vo4vd
No surge price
Have completed the knowledge to allow for congestion charge exemption and bus lane use. This is also to allow for pick up of all passengers including disabled as taxis are the only 100% fleet of wheelchair accessible vehicles
U turns are legally allowed
@@rexwilliams4528 so you study to avoid cc and bus lanes? Instead of work