London Cabbie

To help you learn the Knowledge there are several independent schools throughout London. They can provide teaching and support services.

All Knowledge schools are independent.
Computer Cab Knowledge School
Advantage House
Mitre Way Industrial Estate
London W10

Mob: 07958 535 136

Just Knowledge
St Clere’s Golf Club
London Road
Stanford-Le-Hope
Essex SS17 0LX

Tel: 07930 486 936
Email: enquiries@just-knowledge.com
just-knowledge

Knowledge For All
3rd Floor, Regal House
156 Lower Clapton Road
Clapton E5 0QJ

Tel: 020 8986 1470
Mob: 07859 759 369
Email: knowledgeforall@btconnect.com

Knowledge Point
431 Caledonian Road
London N7 9BG

Tel: 020 7700 5681 / 82 / 83
Taxi Trade Promotions

Metrogas
40 Footway
Avery Hill Road
London SE9 2HB

Tel: 020 8859 1579
Metrogas Club

Rankins
Carib Centre
Benhill Road
London SE5 5LJ

Tel: 07932 605 422

Sector 3 Club
Footscray Rugby Club
Footscray Road
London SE3

Tel: 07921 378 309

Street Wise Taxi School
114A Vallance Road
London E1 5BW

Tel: 020 7247 8940
Email: Streetwiseknowledgeschool@hotmail.co.uk

The Double K Knowledge School
Anstridge Hall
Anstridge Road
Eltham SE9 2LL

Tel: 020 8308 0122
Mob: 0759 5600 016

West London Knowledge School
177 Kensal Road
London W10 5BJ

Tel: 020 8968 0575
Email: pkstaxiknowledge@btconnect.com
thetaxiknowledge

WizAnn
Unit 1, 42 Watts Grove
Bow
London E3 3RE

Tel: 020 7093 0909
Email: wizannpublicat@aol.com
WizAnn Publications

Yellow Badge East (sector 1)

Tel: 07963 082 390

Hi guys,

I know this question has probably been asked a million+ times but I need advice from the experts.I was an Edinburgh licensed black cab driver for over 13yrs(our knowledge took me 9 months but Edinburgh is a village compared to London but it was still an intensive course and test).

I am currently living in Eastbourne,East Sussex since 2006 and have been thinking of doing the knowledge for London.Could you guys answer the following questions:

1:On average how long does it take(Ive heard 2yrs+)

2:how many hours per week of study needed to have the best chance(I am currently working full time)

3:can it be done part time

4:can some of course be done from home

5:how much time per week needed to be spent in London

6:once you pass the knowledge can you get your own taxi plate and cab(plates in Edinburgh 0ver £45000)

7:How much is it for a 6 day rental on the day shift

8:street car or radio car whats the best option,Ive always hired a radio £375 in Edinburgh(but worth it as I like to start early morning)

9:if you have your own cab can you rent it out to a night shift driver if you work days

Sorry guys if these questions seem trivial but getting your expert advice would be greatly appreciated

These Rickshaw riders charge exorbitant sums in order to recoup the high rental fees the operator’s charge for the bikes. Up to £12 a mile is normal, whilst £30 per mile is not unusual. If three people get into one of these contraptions they can expect to pay £12 to the driver and then have to negotiate the cost of the journey.

The safety of these vehicles is horrendous. The Transport Research Laboratory looked at the possible safety implications of allowing the continued use of these vehicles for hire and reward in London. Its scientists warned that “any impact with a motor vehicle” was likely to result in “serious injury to both passengers and riders”. Transport Research Laboratory also warned that “The standard of braking for a Rickshaw fell well short of that expected of a car”.

I suspect members of Westminster Council and the Greater London Authority don’t go out at night and see this problem. If a major West End show should need to evacuate the theatre near to conclusion of a performance, 800 theatregoers would be confronted by a wall of these bloody contraptions. We have seen alas, what happens too many times before with people getting crushed and trampled on when an evacuation route is obstructed.

And if that is not bad enough these crazy people ride down one-way streets in the opposite direction with young children in the back. It is only a matter of time before we have a tragic accident.

Whinge over, I feel a lot better now, can I get off the couch now doctor?

Well,.. first I have to say, what a fabulous, crazy, mental, exciting,  and ..nervous, first week it’s been! I absolutely love it.. what a buzz it is to be a cabbie! London is the best City Ever! .. I would recommend it to everyone,,, do the knowledge… it’s good for you..It’s really worth all the hard work….I have so much to say, so many incredible stories to tell.. and it’s only been one week..! I’m going to have to keep a diary… well…. here’s 1 mad story so far ..Today, I picked up 3 lovely South African Gents from Marylebone Station., they wanted to go to Fulham Road.. ok… in you get .. let’s go I said.. and off I whizzed.. as if I’d been driving a cab all my life!!..We were having a really brilliant jolly on the way, I was cracking them all up… They asked me how long  I ‘d been a cabbie?.. oh, 6 days I replied! … their faces grimaced.. and they strapped their seat belts firmly around themselves! This made me laugh!! I’m an ace cabbie I replied! have faith! .. well I got them there, in quick time… the fare was £16.20.. ,they gave me £20 and another £20 tip.. This has to be a record tip… surely?! Well.. the story gets better! I had dropped them off at a church, one of the men asked my name, and then got on his knees and did a prayer for me and the cab, to keep me safe etc…. and said, I was very special, and that I was going to have a brilliant career…. and bid me goodbye,…. well… what a good morning I was having… and it was only 8 am!! I have loads more stories, but I’m off to bed now, ……… if anyone’s interested, I’ll post them tomorrow…what a mad job being a cabbie is…… Cat x

http://lticrap.mysite.orange.co.uk
 If you are  thinking of buying a TX4 look at the site above,the TX4 has serious defects that are being covered up as usual by LTI,

Peter

The definition of ‘Purpose-Built’ seems to have been lost somewhere along the way.

Purpose-Built means “built for the purpose”, it does not mean “adapted for the purpose”.

It seems that even suppliers are now getting this wrong. The latest Cab Direct advert (TaxiTalk Feb. 2007) gives one of the reasons to buy an E7 as “Purpose-Built”.

The E7 is not Purpose-Built. It is adapted / converted.

At LTI in Coventry, materials and components are taken into the factory, assembled and then, at the other end of the production line is a Purpose-Built taxi.

At Cab Direct’s ‘factory’, light vans are taken in. Here, seats and ‘TAXI’ stickers are added. The final product is… a van with seats and ‘TAXI’ stickers.

OK… the E7 is safe and operates successfully as a licensed taxi. That is not my argument. What I am saying though is that it is not, and never will be, a Purpose-Built taxi.