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Call to scrap London taxi driver 'Knowledge' test Call to scrap London taxi driver Knowledge test
(about 2 hours later)
The test which all black cab drivers in London must pass to secure a licence should be scrapped, according to the capital's Conservatives. The test that all black-cab drivers in London must pass to secure a licence should be scrapped, according to the capital's Conservatives.
The Greater London Authority Tories called the test - known as the Knowledge - "archaic" and a "major barrier" for recruitment. The Greater London Authority Tories called the test - known as the Knowledge - "archaic" and a "major barrier" to recruitment.
The exam requires drivers to learn 25,000 street names.The exam requires drivers to learn 25,000 street names.
Drivers' representatives said they were "stunned and shocked" by the suggestion.Drivers' representatives said they were "stunned and shocked" by the suggestion.
The Saving An Icon report by Richard Tracey found black cab drivers needed to make "fundamental changes" to keep up with the "increasingly popular app-based private hire firms" in an expanding city. The Saving An Icon report by Richard Tracey found black-cab drivers needed to make "fundamental changes" to keep up with the "increasingly popular app-based private hire firms" in an expanding city.
He said the Knowledge was outdated in a world of GPS navigation, expensive, and could take people on average three years to complete.He said the Knowledge was outdated in a world of GPS navigation, expensive, and could take people on average three years to complete.
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He added: "The examinations imposed are overly comprehensive in a time of GPS navigation, and the cost of purchasing the designated Hackney Carriage is a barrier to entry in an industry which is also rapidly ageing."He added: "The examinations imposed are overly comprehensive in a time of GPS navigation, and the cost of purchasing the designated Hackney Carriage is a barrier to entry in an industry which is also rapidly ageing."
But Steve McNamara, the general secretary of the The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association said: "I'm stunned and shocked that anybody would suggest doing anything that altered or lowered the standard of taxi driving. But Steve McNamara, the general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association said: "I'm stunned and shocked that anybody would suggest doing anything that altered or lowered the standard of taxi driving.
"However, that does not mean that we wouldn't be prepared to review some issues...with the proviso that standards wouldn't be dropped." "However, that does not mean that we wouldn't be prepared to review some issues... with the proviso that standards wouldn't be dropped."
He said having such rigorous standards meant drivers "valued" their licences and "they did not want to lose it".He said having such rigorous standards meant drivers "valued" their licences and "they did not want to lose it".
As part of the review Mr Tracey also suggested:As part of the review Mr Tracey also suggested:
Taxi driver Nick, from Hertford, called the proposed move "devastating".Taxi driver Nick, from Hertford, called the proposed move "devastating".
"It would be a huge backward step," he said. "For a forward-thinking city, why would you not want a very high standard of taxis? The only reason they would do would be to [bow] to the pressure of Uber.""It would be a huge backward step," he said. "For a forward-thinking city, why would you not want a very high standard of taxis? The only reason they would do would be to [bow] to the pressure of Uber."