Around 70% of students training to become taxi drivers fail to complete Knowledge of London

Around 70% of students training to become licensed London taxi drivers DO NOT COMPLETE the Knowledge of London testing process, says London Mayor.

All those wishing to drive one of London’s iconic black cabs must have a thorough knowledge of London within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross. Tens of thousands of road names and places of interest must be learnt, which is why taxi drivers have to learn and pass the world-famous Knowledge.

The Knowledge was introduced as a requirement for taxi drivers in 1865 and completing the test usually takes students three to four years.

Worryingly for Londoners the number of students currently being tested to become London taxi drivers has fallen sharply to its lowest level yet, according to latest regulator data.

Assembly Member Keith Prince asked the Mayor of London what the current drop out rate for KoL candidates who, having been accepted, fail to complete the Knowledge of London is.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, responded: “The rate for candidates who begin but do not complete the Knowledge of London process is around 70 per cent. This figure has been consistent for many years. The majority of applicants who do not continue do so at an early stage of the process.

“Transport for London engages with candidates on a number of occasions at the early stages of the Knowledge of London process to provide support and reassurance, and meets with candidates after six months to check how their studies are going and whether they are studying effectively.”