Recently discovered you in my recommended, have now binge watched most of your back catalogue in the last few weeks. Really love this unique content, a lovely, surprisingly entertaining topic. As someone who often catches black cabs in the City, I hope to sit in yours one day. Keep up the great content, really love it and I’m learning a lot!
@@TomtheTaxiDriver most of my runs are from St Mary Axe to LHR, LCY and canary wharf, from watching your videos I still can’t quite work out if the airport run is an enjoyable one or not haha!
This working week is a great series for illustrating the varied jobs you get and your outstanding knowledge of London. I will see how the development on the Dukes site is going on Friday when I meet a friend for lunch.
What more could a man ask for ... It's Saturday and then a Tom video drops! Now the week is complete. Astounding video as always; keep up the great work! Have a safe one. All the best 👍👍👍
Absolutely love these videos with your daily days in a working week. Your knowledge of London absolutely males these videos so very very great. Keep them coming. Stay safe and take care.
You have a very good point about *some* Uber drivers. I spoke to a local cab driver here and he mentioned a lot of them don't even know where the major roads are (we have a grid network here!)
Formerly from London (a long time ago), I really enjoy the driving videos more than those about the taxi driving industry and its issues. It's changed a lot since I used to work there (Wigmore Street, Southwark Street, and later Farringdon Road), but then again it's London - never going to change that much! Thanks for all your work putting the videos together.
Fascinating insights Tom - really loving this series. The visuals are superbly enhanced by your rich narration - making this compelling content. Thanks for all the hard work. Stay well and positive. Hello from N2 : - )
I love these types of videos, keep them coming and keep up the great work! How did you get tfl to be fine with you posting these types of videos again?
Do ya reckon you could add the times when you pick up a job like ya used to? I think it’s interesting knowing roughly the time and place when you’re busy/not busy. Still loving the vids 🤙
Nice video Tom. Funny to hear you talk about The Dukes Experience! Your brother & I walked down Tooley Street last night after getting off the Northern Line at London Bridge
Went down to London for the marathon. I used to use uber and the underground to get around but because of your vids i swapped uber for black cabs. Had a great experience!
Taxis come into their own during big closures in London. Often the sat nav doesn't update quick enough where as most cabbies know the score days in advance.
Know what you mean about lack of cabs. Last visit to London we went to Oxo Tower for dinner and we walked most of the way to Waterloo before seeing a cab.
Ha! Made me laugh when you said about tourists looking at every taxi hoping it’s you. I live in London and I’m doing the same every damn day 😂. I’ll find you one day!
Hi Tom, I've been turning right from Borough high st into Duke st Hill for years with no problems. The only old visible sign in on the road (Buses only). I don't think its been changed since buses and Taxis can do a left turn from London Bridge into Duke st Hill.
Think he was told by Transport For London not to. He’s also not allowed to show any of his customers, hence the blurred out faces, or even broadcast any of their conversation. I think this if the agreement between Tom and TfL, as at one point Tom was told not to put up any of these type of videos on you tube.
Nope, the fare is very much public knowledge and if you wanted to roughly work it out you can use the fare chart online. tfl.gov.uk/modes/taxis-and-minicabs/taxi-fares I don't share fares because people make outrageous associations like, oh he earned £70 in an hour doing a Heathrow fare, therefore he earns £700 a day if he works 10 hours. People forget there's plenty of time empty in the cab. £8 job, followed by lots of driving around, taking a break or sitting on a rank to get the next job.
Hey Tom, your drop-off in the neighborhood "opposite Olympia" reminded me of my early workdays when I used to park up my Morris Minor in those streets when I worked at Charles House (now demolished) at 375 Kensington High St (opposite the Bristol Motors) showroom, that I think is still there. I bought breakfast every morning at a little "caff" just on the HHammersmith Road side of the railway bridge, literally part of the railway embankment. Maybe it was called Frank's, but I might be wrong. It was much patronized by cabbies and did a killer bacon sandwich. Is it a place you ever eat at? It would be such fun to see it again after all these (40+) years if you ever get the chance to film it. I used to love driving around and exploring London in those days. Your videos are superb! ----Mike
Lots of nice cars in this video! Countless S-class Mercedes, a couple of Rolls-Royce Phantoms, a Bentley Continental GT and a GTC, two Bentley Mulsannes. A car nerd's paradise.
Look out for you every time we're down the Big Smoke, will flag you down just to drive round the block a few times so we can find out where is good to eat 🤣
Is it still worth it? Was going to start The Knowledge a few years back but decided against it. 1. Years of training and a nightmare Examination Process with very high failure Rate 2. Dealing with the red tape of TFL 3. Taking out a second Mortgage to buy a legal modern Electric Can 4. Insurance and Running Costs 5. Take home pay of £35-40grand but only after working ten hour shifts and on five to six days a week 6. Growing Competition everyday from other Cab Companys and potential self drive technology If your under thirty it's a gamble if your over 45 forget it
Here's my thoughts. 1. That's a you problem, you can't fail The Knowledge, only give up. The examination has always been tough 2. TfL are a regulator, they want to govern a high standard of taxis. 3. You don't need to buy you can rent. But yes longer term a finance package works if you are doing it for 3 years or longer. 4. All part of your known expenses 5. 5 days a week 9 hours a day can earn you a nice living. I know because that's what I've done in the 5 years I've been out. I do work evenings so that does give my earnings a bit of a boost. 6. What growing competition? Uber's has never turned a profit. Their share price is still falling and their new model is trying to partner with taxis across the world rather than destroy them. I nearly didn't start The Knowledge 8 years ago because of "self driving cars". They will come but due to the moral and even philosophical arguments it will be a very long time before they will replace taxis. See here; ua-cam.com/video/owO8Z7j21JQ/v-deo.html I listened to a podcast this week of a guy who recently got his badge and is aged in his 60's. If anything people who are middle aged are more suited for The Knowledge as it's a career they can do long into retirement. It doesn't require technical or specific skills/education, just follow the process and you'll get your badge.
Hey Tom. Noticed something recently, the horrendous traffic on the M4 going out of town that builds up often from Hammersmith all the way out past Sutton Court Road. I unfortunately often have to sit in this because of work, and it is always absolutely littered with cabs with fares in the back going nowhere, when the traffic is relatively easily avoided (Turnham green, past Chiswick Park Station, then either down the high road with the bus lane or round the back Heathfield Terrace > Wellesley Rd round the back of Gunnersbury Station > out onto the roundabout.) Do they maybe not know about the workaround? From watching your vids you always say it's better to not sit in traffic, but the sheer number of cabs stationary in this traffic everyday is making me think it actually might make financial sense to sit in this traffic. Love to get your opinion on whether if you were going out on a Heathrow or Brentford etc if you'd sit in the traffic or avoid it.
Depends how far along you have to go. I had a Heathrow to Bayswater so using the a40 was way quicker. But if the punter is going Hammersmith, not much can be done
Not at that time of day, I always have a check of conditions on sat nav for the long stuff, if there’s only a few minutes in it, I will take the shorter and more direct route
Great video as always Tom 👌 Questions would you recommended any hotel in London? Plan on visiting this year. Would also like to book a taxi tour with yourself.
Hello Tom! I am planning to visit London for the first time in January. Can you recommend an app to book local taxis and the best form of transport from Heathrow Airport to London City Centre?
Local taxi, just get one from the Heathrow rank. Depending on traffic/time of day it’s approx £80 to central, a bit more if you are in the city. Elizabeth line is also a good option, but if you have a few of you, a lot of bags, or far away from a stop, it can be tricky working out your changes and taxi is just door to door service.
Hi Hugh, Just regular journeys you may be best getting a taxi from a rank. To factor my time needed to get to a prebook I have a 2 hour booking as a minimum.
Great video again, Tom. Quick call from Pedantry Corner, the Dukes hotel is in St James's, not Mayfair and Prescott St is in Tower Hamlets, not the City but hey who cares, still cracking content. And also, good insight into the state of PCO/PHV business in London right now. Think it has improved in terms of black cabs becoming more available but Uber just cancels everything, long or short, sometimes they'll have you waiting for 15 minutes, then cancel, so I haven't personally used them in about a year after me and my pregnant wife were left stranded. Who came to the rescue, black cabs, albeit through an app but we weren't in an area where you can hail one. Still hearing more and more of these stories today. Not sure what the point of them is, anymore.
Very well spotted! And I do love a good boundary in London haha! 👍🏻 I guess the confusion with the Premier Inn at Prescot Street is the fact that it's called Premier Inn London City, but E1 postcode which of course is Tower Hamlets.
A touch when used how you said it….”this video was a touch”……but if I found £20 on the floor I’d just say to myself “touch” like Tom did when he got that job or if talking past tense “I had a right touch”
Nope. There's plenty of places I learnt/drove to on The Knowledge that I have never been to in the taxi, and the opposite, even just yesterday I went down a cul-de-sac I didn't know existed.
could you maybe be an uber driver while leaning/practicing for the knowledge? surely it would help the mind learn and get used to driving in and around london etc?? prob not any use but just a wee thought?
Loving the fact you refused to pick up the 2 people when the taxi rank was busy across the road. Some good ‘Cabaraderie’ there!!
These videos are addictive and also informative for seeing London.
Recently discovered you in my recommended, have now binge watched most of your back catalogue in the last few weeks. Really love this unique content, a lovely, surprisingly entertaining topic. As someone who often catches black cabs in the City, I hope to sit in yours one day. Keep up the great content, really love it and I’m learning a lot!
Thank you David! It’s regular users like yourself that keep us boys and girls going 🙌🏻
@@TomtheTaxiDriver most of my runs are from St Mary Axe to LHR, LCY and canary wharf, from watching your videos I still can’t quite work out if the airport run is an enjoyable one or not haha!
Just shows how valuable your knowledge of getting around central London is.
Loved your reference to Dukes in Chelmsford. As a paramedic I have spent far too much time in Dukes. The club is now long gone.
As a proud Chelmsfordian, I can confirm I have lost shoes to the floor of Dukes 😂🎉
This working week is a great series for illustrating the varied jobs you get and your outstanding knowledge of London. I will see how the development on the Dukes site is going on Friday when I meet a friend for lunch.
What more could a man ask for ... It's Saturday and then a Tom video drops! Now the week is complete. Astounding video as always; keep up the great work! Have a safe one. All the best 👍👍👍
I loved the viewers reaction when he realised it was you!
Dukes in Chelmsford. Oh the memories !
Same here. Trouble is my memories are from the 1990's. The DJ showing the best bit in the film Misery 🤣
Also you can remember 1 street in Chelmsford of Duke Street 🤣
Hahaha Dukes! Sat here in Melbourne watching this and can relate.
Just stumbled upon your channel, quite addictive viewing.
Absolutely love these videos with your daily days in a working week. Your knowledge of London absolutely males these videos so very very great. Keep them coming. Stay safe and take care.
You have a very good point about *some* Uber drivers. I spoke to a local cab driver here and he mentioned a lot of them don't even know where the major roads are (we have a grid network here!)
Formerly from London (a long time ago), I really enjoy the driving videos more than those about the taxi driving industry and its issues. It's changed a lot since I used to work there (Wigmore Street, Southwark Street, and later Farringdon Road), but then again it's London - never going to change that much! Thanks for all your work putting the videos together.
Really nice to see a full week, looking forward to Weds :)
Fascinating insights Tom - really loving this series. The visuals are superbly enhanced by your rich narration - making this compelling content. Thanks for all the hard work. Stay well and positive. Hello from N2 : - )
Really like the slightly more casual edit on this video, and this series has been really interesting as usual :)
Yay, thank you!
I love these types of videos, keep them coming and keep up the great work! How did you get tfl to be fine with you posting these types of videos again?
Getting addicted to these videos. Your very knowledgeable. Keep up the good work👍👍
Do ya reckon you could add the times when you pick up a job like ya used to? I think it’s interesting knowing roughly the time and place when you’re busy/not busy. Still loving the vids 🤙
Great video Tom nice one 👍🏻 small request if I may… can we see more pov’s or cameras inside the cab view? Keep up the great work
Can't I'm afraid. Whilst being used as a taxi only TfL approved CCTV is allowed apparently.
It would be interesting to see the price of each journey pop up at the end of each section I think!
Nice video Tom. Funny to hear you talk about The Dukes Experience! Your brother & I walked down Tooley Street last night after getting off the Northern Line at London Bridge
Went down to London for the marathon. I used to use uber and the underground to get around but because of your vids i swapped uber for black cabs. Had a great experience!
Taxis come into their own during big closures in London. Often the sat nav doesn't update quick enough where as most cabbies know the score days in advance.
Another brilliant video, a fair bit of wiggling going on too 😂. I’m a sparky and even I’ve started using that word a lot.
go to Heathrow again!
Have you recorded any videos working after the queen's death? Would be super interesting to see how London was at that time!
Great video as always :)
What a way to start the weekend!
Know what you mean about lack of cabs. Last visit to London we went to Oxo Tower for dinner and we walked most of the way to Waterloo before seeing a cab.
Ha! Made me laugh when you said about tourists looking at every taxi hoping it’s you. I live in London and I’m doing the same every damn day 😂. I’ll find you one day!
Hi Tom you work sensible and still make a living well done
Hi Tom,
I've been turning right from Borough high st into Duke st Hill for years with no problems.
The only old visible sign in on the road (Buses only).
I don't think its been changed since buses and Taxis can do a left turn from London Bridge into Duke st Hill.
Thanks Chris, I see the cameras but like you say must be old signage
I wish he would include the fare of every job he includes. Nice video.
Think he was told by Transport For London not to. He’s also not allowed to show any of his customers, hence the blurred out faces, or even broadcast any of their conversation. I think this if the agreement between Tom and TfL, as at one point Tom was told not to put up any of these type of videos on you tube.
Nope, the fare is very much public knowledge and if you wanted to roughly work it out you can use the fare chart online. tfl.gov.uk/modes/taxis-and-minicabs/taxi-fares
I don't share fares because people make outrageous associations like, oh he earned £70 in an hour doing a Heathrow fare, therefore he earns £700 a day if he works 10 hours.
People forget there's plenty of time empty in the cab. £8 job, followed by lots of driving around, taking a break or sitting on a rank to get the next job.
Hey Tom, your drop-off in the neighborhood "opposite Olympia" reminded me of my early workdays when I used to park up my Morris Minor in those streets when I worked at Charles House (now demolished) at 375 Kensington High St (opposite the Bristol Motors) showroom, that I think is still there.
I bought breakfast every morning at a little "caff" just on the HHammersmith Road side of the railway bridge, literally part of the railway embankment. Maybe it was called Frank's, but I might be wrong. It was much patronized by cabbies and did a killer bacon sandwich.
Is it a place you ever eat at? It would be such fun to see it again after all these (40+) years if you ever get the chance to film it.
I used to love driving around and exploring London in those days. Your videos are superb! ----Mike
11:45, example as to why the K is so important.
Really enjoyable to watch - thank you and incredible that the Harrods to Selfridge’s and back shuttle seems to be never-ending!
Your Voice and music Help me relax And almost Slept
Your reaction at 11:50 is hilarious!
Lots of nice cars in this video! Countless S-class Mercedes, a couple of Rolls-Royce Phantoms, a Bentley Continental GT and a GTC, two Bentley Mulsannes. A car nerd's paradise.
Found your channel on UA-cam and loving the content mate stay awesome
Look out for you every time we're down the Big Smoke, will flag you down just to drive round the block a few times so we can find out where is good to eat 🤣
Is it still worth it? Was going to start The Knowledge a few years back but decided against it.
1. Years of training and a nightmare Examination Process with very high failure Rate
2. Dealing with the red tape of TFL
3. Taking out a second Mortgage to buy a legal modern Electric Can
4. Insurance and Running Costs
5. Take home pay of £35-40grand but only after working ten hour shifts and on five to six days a week
6. Growing Competition everyday from other Cab Companys and potential self drive technology
If your under thirty it's a gamble if your over 45 forget it
Here's my thoughts.
1. That's a you problem, you can't fail The Knowledge, only give up. The examination has always been tough
2. TfL are a regulator, they want to govern a high standard of taxis.
3. You don't need to buy you can rent. But yes longer term a finance package works if you are doing it for 3 years or longer.
4. All part of your known expenses
5. 5 days a week 9 hours a day can earn you a nice living. I know because that's what I've done in the 5 years I've been out. I do work evenings so that does give my earnings a bit of a boost.
6. What growing competition? Uber's has never turned a profit. Their share price is still falling and their new model is trying to partner with taxis across the world rather than destroy them. I nearly didn't start The Knowledge 8 years ago because of "self driving cars". They will come but due to the moral and even philosophical arguments it will be a very long time before they will replace taxis.
See here; ua-cam.com/video/owO8Z7j21JQ/v-deo.html
I listened to a podcast this week of a guy who recently got his badge and is aged in his 60's. If anything people who are middle aged are more suited for The Knowledge as it's a career they can do long into retirement. It doesn't require technical or specific skills/education, just follow the process and you'll get your badge.
Love these videos Tom! Especially the little nuggets of info you add in about places in London. Looking forward to Wednesday.
you can turn right into Tooley st been doing it for several years no tickets.
Robert Street was the site of J G Ballard's Atrocity Exhibition in, I think, 1969.
Really enjoyed your video Tom . looking forward to seeing more.
I do the right into tooley st all the time.
Dukes Genesis! What a gaff! 😂
£15 entry with unlimited drinks haha!
A very happy birthday Tom 🎊🎉🥳😊 keep laughing and enjoying life. Kindest Regards Kenny
I really enjoy all of your content, but these type of vlogs are my favourite. Can't wait to find out why you took the cab to France!
Hey Tom. Noticed something recently, the horrendous traffic on the M4 going out of town that builds up often from Hammersmith all the way out past Sutton Court Road. I unfortunately often have to sit in this because of work, and it is always absolutely littered with cabs with fares in the back going nowhere, when the traffic is relatively easily avoided (Turnham green, past Chiswick Park Station, then either down the high road with the bus lane or round the back Heathfield Terrace > Wellesley Rd round the back of Gunnersbury Station > out onto the roundabout.) Do they maybe not know about the workaround? From watching your vids you always say it's better to not sit in traffic, but the sheer number of cabs stationary in this traffic everyday is making me think it actually might make financial sense to sit in this traffic. Love to get your opinion on whether if you were going out on a Heathrow or Brentford etc if you'd sit in the traffic or avoid it.
Depends how far along you have to go. I had a Heathrow to Bayswater so using the a40 was way quicker. But if the punter is going Hammersmith, not much can be done
FINALLY. Thank you Tom!!! 😊❤🎉
Tom. Can you show the charging of the cab the costs of charging at the charge points and, how long that lasts you please mate.
Thanks Tom. Enjoyed that. :) regards from New Zealand.
Happy Birthday Tom!!🎉🎉
Yes Tom you have ruined my London visits. I’m always looking out for you 🤣! Love your videos
25:57 I think the man almost fainted there.
'Bosh' another awesome video!
Bosh!
Hi Tom, been watching your videos for quite a while now, and once again, thanks for putting out a great video. Love the ride-along videos!
Amazing mate. Really appreciate the amount of time and effort that you put in to these vids.Thank you!
Great video, made my weekend better!
Very interesting again tom Liam road runner taxi irl
loving this series Tom!
Another episode I can’t wait
Another great video tom
Driving through central to get to W14? Surely it’s embankment through Earl’s Court right in to w14?
Not at that time of day, I always have a check of conditions on sat nav for the long stuff, if there’s only a few minutes in it, I will take the shorter and more direct route
@@TomtheTaxiDriver yeah makes sense 👍🏻
Thanks Tom really enjoying theses vids ✌️❤️
babe wake up a new tom the taxi driver shift vlog dropped
Why didn't you use the bus lane at 3:58 ?
I may be wrong but I think the Westminster Bridge bus lane is strictly for buses only.
No, it's because there's usually an ice cream van, rickshaws all in the bus lane, or at the bus stop there's a bus there.
@@TomtheTaxiDriver run over the Rick Shaw's
@@ismailhussain7679 who's Rick Shaw and what did he ever do to you?
every car you follow is either another cab or a Bentley. very British lmao
Rip Dukes Essex icon
Great video as always Tom 👌 Questions would you recommended any hotel in London? Plan on visiting this year. Would also like to book a taxi tour with yourself.
Why do you use the word comply when referring to certain roads and roundabouts?
I would be useless at your job. But we’ve all got our own skills. The guy who built your fireplace couldn’t do my job, which is bricklaying.
lOVE UR VIDS but the wait kills me
Yea I have to work as well as edit too!
How have I just discovered this page?
Tom, can I ask why certain people's faces are blurred, but others are not?
Passengers are blurred
@@TomtheTaxiDriver Ah silly me. Thanks Tom. Best.
Hello Tom! I am planning to visit London for the first time in January. Can you recommend an app to book local taxis and the best form of transport from Heathrow Airport to London City Centre?
Local taxi, just get one from the Heathrow rank.
Depending on traffic/time of day it’s approx £80 to central, a bit more if you are in the city.
Elizabeth line is also a good option, but if you have a few of you, a lot of bags, or far away from a stop, it can be tricky working out your changes and taxi is just door to door service.
There's an app called " your arm ". Works brilliantly
On say an average 10 hour shift what would your daily takings be?
Do you ever drive your own car round town and accidentally drive in bus lanes etc
My taxi is my own car, don’t have a private vehicle lol
Is the car fully electric?
How much would you charge to go from Heathrow to Wokingham is that a bit too far outside London.
The Heathrow fare guide says £104.00
@@TomtheTaxiDriver ok thanks. It’s just a friend of mine coming over. Thank you for your help. Such great videos stay awesome
Turn right into my street Bruton street
Bus stop pick up/drop off allowed?
Yep. Only solid pink and zig zags are not allowed,
Do you only drive in the city center area or do you go out in the suburbs?
Mainly central, although not allowed to refuse a fare of up to 12 miles, so sometimes out of Central.
I think you are a very clever man
I'm in London on 7th December - can you pick me up from Kings Cross :D
Hi Hugh,
Just regular journeys you may be best getting a taxi from a rank. To factor my time needed to get to a prebook I have a 2 hour booking as a minimum.
@@TomtheTaxiDriver I was kind of joking really
Your the best taxi driver ❤
Please show the cost of the ride :)
I show these in my video, how much does a London Taxi journey cost? average £15? Harrods to Benihana was probs £8 or so?
ua-cam.com/video/XnGeFsTzFYE/v-deo.html
I thought you were going to say that the dog asked the Uber driver to get out.
I wish I had enough money to flag a taxi down
Grab one with friends, it's often the cheapest way to get around London.
Great video again, Tom. Quick call from Pedantry Corner, the Dukes hotel is in St James's, not Mayfair and Prescott St is in Tower Hamlets, not the City but hey who cares, still cracking content. And also, good insight into the state of PCO/PHV business in London right now. Think it has improved in terms of black cabs becoming more available but Uber just cancels everything, long or short, sometimes they'll have you waiting for 15 minutes, then cancel, so I haven't personally used them in about a year after me and my pregnant wife were left stranded. Who came to the rescue, black cabs, albeit through an app but we weren't in an area where you can hail one. Still hearing more and more of these stories today. Not sure what the point of them is, anymore.
Very well spotted! And I do love a good boundary in London haha! 👍🏻
I guess the confusion with the Premier Inn at Prescot Street is the fact that it's called Premier Inn London City, but E1 postcode which of course is Tower Hamlets.
Hello
11:45 what is that driver doing!? Must be an Uber.
Yep
This video was touch! Did I use it right? :D
A touch when used how you said it….”this video was a touch”……but if I found £20 on the floor I’d just say to myself “touch” like Tom did when he got that job or if talking past tense “I had a right touch”
Brilliant
2:06 the twats? XD
Apart from doing the knowledge, have you actually been everywere in london by now beeing a cap driver
Nope. There's plenty of places I learnt/drove to on The Knowledge that I have never been to in the taxi, and the opposite, even just yesterday I went down a cul-de-sac I didn't know existed.
could you maybe be an uber driver while leaning/practicing for the knowledge? surely it would help the mind learn and get used to driving in and around london etc?? prob not any use but just a wee thought?
Probably good for pointing but not much else. The Knowledge is the study of the map, not how to drive in London.
@@TomtheTaxiDriver aye, I was thinking that