Knowledge of London Test: Why Are the Numbers Dropping?
London taxi drivers have a deserved reputation across the UK, and even the world, as being some of the most knowledgeable drivers in the industry. The renowned Knowledge of London (KOL) test that all licensed taxi drivers must pass before they can ‘ply for hire’ often takes years of study to pass. The average length of time it takes to pass the KOL is between 3 and 5 years. This might sound like a long time but when you consider drivers must learn around 25,000 streets, as well as around 20,000 unique London landmarks, it all starts to make a bit more sense.
Despite being known for its difficulty, this is rarely quoted as a reason putting people off becoming a cabbie in London. Whilst it might be difficult, the volume of trade available to drivers and the flexibility they have once they’ve passed has historically been seen as an equal trade-off. Rarely, if ever, has the difficulty of the test been touted as something putting people off applying to become drivers.
However, in recent years, and not just in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the number of people studying for the KOL has dropped significantly. On an average year, there are around 2000 individuals studying for the KOL. As reported in TaxiPoint this month, there are currently around 700 drivers at the testing stage for the KOL. A number of industry representatives have offered explanations for this drop, below you’ll find our summary of the most common reasons.
Perception of the industry
A combination of media representation and industry morale has led to a somewhat poor reputation for the taxi industry. Several high-profile criminal cases involving cab drivers in recent years have understandably contributed to this perception of the industry, despite the overwhelmingly positive work done by the majority of the industry. This is particularly unfair considering the extra work and support that many cab drivers have offered to key workers over the course of the coronavirus pandemic.
On the other hand, there is a significantly vocal portion of drivers in the trade whom some have labelled the ‘doom and gloom brigade’. These individuals tend to spend their time discussing how they believe the industry is dead or dying on social media. As social media is so prevalent in the digital age, this vocal minority is actively deterring the next generation of drivers from starting their journey in the industry.
Low-traffic Neighbourhoods
Low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) are one of the latest flashpoints for the industry. One MP recently claimed that the introduction of LTN’s across a number of London boroughs has essentially invalidated the KOL. Theresa Villiers, Conservative MP for Chipping Barnet recently sparked debate in the Commons after highlighting the dramatic impact that LTN’s were having on both drivers and passengers. She highlighted that for many individuals with disabilities or mobility issues, taxis were the most convenient form of transport. The introduction of LTNs in some areas has effectively cut off some of these individuals from their primary mode of transport.
The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) and the United Trade Action Group have been granted a judicial review after challenging Transport for London’s (TfL) and the Mayor of London’s Streetspace plans. This review is scheduled for 2 days beginning on the 25th of November.
Suburbs Test
While the difficulty of the KOL isn’t generally considered a problem, one element of it has been identified as a potential issue. This is what is known as the ‘Suburbs Test’. This part of the KOL is dedicated to learning the areas on the outskirts of London, which industry reps argue that drivers rarely use anyway. It can take up to 4 months of study to be ready to take the test for this section. Lobbyists hoping to reform the KOL recommend that its removal could help boost driver numbers.
Coronavirus
While the numbers of applicants for the KOL was dropping even before the pandemic, coronavirus and the associated restrictions have had a significant impact on the industry. Not only have taxi and private hire drivers been disproportionately affected by the actual virus, but the state of the industry's recovery is also still very much up in the air.
The taxi industry relies on many other feeder industries, such as hospitality, tourism, sport, and other large events. Hospitality has been one of the hardest-hit sectors and even though things are starting to reopen they are facing a catastrophic staff shortage. Venues that may have survived the pandemic are now finding that they don’t have the staff to be able to reopen effectively. This is leading to many hospitality venues closing down. If this trend continues in other areas, such as night-time venues, then potential revenue streams could drop significantly.
It still remains to be seen how the wider UK economy will recover from the effects of the coronavirus lockdown. To keep up to date with our news coverage, be sure to sign up to our mailing list! Alternatively, give us a like or follow on social media to be sure you’re always in the loop.