TAXI CAREER: LTDA to showcase the Knowledge at major London careers fair
- Perry Richardson
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA) has confirmed that the association will take part in a two-day careers exhibition at Olympia London this November, aimed at inspiring young people to consider becoming London taxi drivers.
Writing in TAXI magazine, Suzanne Sullivan, LTDA Airport Representative, sets out how the event will help attract the next generation into a profession that has long relied on word of mouth and family connections.
The exhibition, running on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 November 2025, is expected to draw large crowds. On the first day, more than 12,500 students from schools and colleges across the capital are due to attend. On the Saturday, those same students will return with their families, giving parents and carers the chance to explore options alongside their children. Sullivan describes the opportunity as a crucial moment for the trade.
“The event presents a unique opportunity to raise awareness about the Knowledge of London among young people who may never have considered it a serious career path,” she writes. With the average age of drivers rising and fewer young people entering the trade, Sullivan argues that the LTDA must be more proactive in promoting taxi driving as a respected and sustainable career.
The LTDA stand will focus on demystifying the Knowledge and showing how it opens the door to a skilled and independent career. Attendees will be able to explore the Knowledge process from registration to appearances, speak to current students and recently licensed drivers, and even attempt a mock appearance. Maps, Blue Book runs, and other interactive material will give visitors a real sense of what the training involves.
Sullivan is keen to dispel the idea that taxi driving is a last-resort job. “We want to show attendees that learning the Knowledge is more than just gaining a qualification, it’s the start of a respected, independent and potentially high-earning career,” she explains. The LTDA will also highlight the flexibility of the role, pointing out that many drivers balance taxi work with other careers while maintaining their badge.
Another key focus will be showing how the trade has modernised. From contactless payments and app-based booking systems to the shift towards electric vehicles, Sullivan says today’s black cab drivers are part of an adaptive workforce. “We’ll also emphasise the modern side of the industry – the use of technology, contactless payments, apps, electric vehicles and more. Today’s black cab drivers are not stuck in the past,” she adds.
By speaking directly to students, Sullivan believes the LTDA can change perceptions and open doors to a new generation of Knowledge applicants. “Many young people and their parents still think taxi driving is a job of last resort or something you do later in life. We’ll be showing them that this is a serious, skilled and respected profession that offers freedom, stability and long-term potential,” she writes .
The exhibition will give the LTDA a high-profile platform to address one of the trade’s biggest challenges: attracting younger drivers. Sullivan adds: “It’s not just a chance to talk to students, it’s an opportunity to secure the future of our profession by inspiring a whole new generation to take up the Knowledge and become part of something bigger.”
