TfL welcomes youngest licensed taxi driver attracting hundreds of thousands of views
- Perry Richardson
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Transport for London (TfL) has drawn widespread attention after publishing a social media post celebrating what it described as its youngest newly licensed taxi driver, with the update attracting hundreds of thousands of views within hours of being shared.
The post, published on TfL’s official social media channels on 29 January, confirmed that a driver named Connor collected his London Taxi Driver’s Licence on his 21st birthday. By Friday morning, the post had recorded more than 480,000 views, alongside significant engagement from across the taxi trade and wider public.
TfL used the post to highlight the accessibility of the Knowledge of London, describing it as open to anyone willing to commit the time and effort required. The authority also linked the achievement to recruitment into the licensed taxi trade, pointing prospective drivers to official guidance on becoming a London taxi driver.
Under current licensing rules, applicants must be at least 21 years old to be granted a London Taxi Driver’s Licence. However, TfL allows candidates to begin studying and sitting appearances for the Knowledge before reaching that age, enabling successful applicants to qualify as soon as they turn 21.
Transport for London highlights early completion of the Knowledge as online attention surges
The Knowledge of London requires candidates to memorise thousands of streets, landmarks and routes within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross. While the process typically takes over two years to complete, TfL does not impose a minimum age to start the Knowledge itself, only to hold the licence.
This means candidates who complete the Knowledge ahead of their 21st birthday can apply for their taxi driver licence immediately upon reaching the minimum age, subject to meeting all other requirements including medical, character and topographical assessments.
The viral response to the post has renewed discussion within the trade about attracting younger drivers at a time when the licensed taxi workforce continues to age. TfL has repeatedly stated that lowering barriers to entry, while maintaining standards, is central to supporting the future sustainability of London’s black cab industry.
