Transport for LondonRequirements
| Categories | Taxi |
|---|---|
| Age | 21 |
| Character | Enhanced CRB check |
| Medical fitness | DVLA Group 2 |
| Route finding skills | Learning the Knowledge |
| Driving ability | Full DVLA, NI or EEA driving licence DSA Taxi Driving Test |
Age
Licensed drivers must be at least 21 years old. There is no upper age limit, provided you meet the other licensing requirements.
Character
All applicants must have a criminal record check before being licensed. We will ask you to get yours from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), part of the Home Office.
We will also look at your driving licence to see if you have any driving convictions. Sometimes a conviction may stop you getting a licence.
Medical fitness
All licensed drivers must have a medical examination with their GP. The medical standard we apply here is the DVLA Group 2 Standard.
Certain conditions could mean an application being refused. These include epilepsy, poor eyesight, insulin treated diabetes and serious heart problems. If you are in any doubt, please see your GP before you apply.
Route finding skills for drivers
As taxis can be hailed in the street and asked to go anywhere, taxi drivers must have a thorough knowledge of the Capital. This is why taxi drivers have to learn the world-famous Knowledge.
If you want to be an All London taxi driver you will need a detailed knowledge of all the streets and places of interest in central London. You'll also need a general knowledge of the rest of the city.
If you want to apply for a Suburban licence, you will need to have a detailed knowledge of your chosen sector. You'll still need a general knowledge of central London.
Once you have studied your chosen area, you will be tested on what you've learnt in a series of examinations.
How long it takes to complete the Knowledge depends on your commitment. On average, it takes four years for All London and two years for a Suburban driver. Many people do the Knowledge far quicker.
You can apply for the All London Knowledge from the age of 18. Suburban applicants can only apply when they are 21.
Driving ability
All licensed drivers must hold a full DVLA, Northern Ireland or European Economic Area (EEA) state driving licence.
The other EEA states are:
| Austria | Greece | Malta |
| Belgium | Hungary | Netherlands |
| Cyprus | Iceland | Norway |
| Czech Republic | Ireland | Poland |
| Denmark | Italy | Portugal |
| Estonia | Latvia | Slovakia |
| Finland | Liechtenstein | Slovenia |
| France | Lithuania | Spain |
| Germany | Luxembourg | Sweden |
Taxis are purpose built vehicles with different driving characteristics from standard cars and special features to help disabled people. If you want to be licensed as a taxi driver, you will need to take an additional driving test in a licensed taxi.
If you have a disability you can still become a licensed taxi driver, but you may need to have your driving ability assessed independently. This may be in a suitably modified vehicle.
