JOINING THE RANKS: London welcomes its youngest taxi driver at 21-years-old
- Perry Richardson
- 1 minute ago
- 1 min read
London has officially welcomed its youngest licensed taxi driver after Mohamed B completed the Knowledge of London at just 20 years old and receiving his licence a year later.
Mohamed passed the intensive test of London’s roads and routes in just two years, a fine achievement given the depth of study required. The average candidate takes between three and four years to complete the Knowledge.
Mohamed had to wait until his 21st birthday before he could be issued a licence, as Transport for London (TfL) requires all black cab drivers to be at least 21 to qualify.
A photo released by TfL shows Mohamed receiving his green All London badge, which allows him to operate across the capital. The image was widely shared and prompted messages of support from fellow drivers and trade representatives.
Becoming a black cab driver in London remains one of the most demanding paths into professional driving. Mastering the Knowledge involves learning thousands of streets and landmarks. The preparation requires long hours of self-study, one-on-one training and a series of oral tests known as “appearances”.
Mohamed’s early completion highlights the possibility for younger drivers to join the trade if they commit to full-time training before reaching the minimum age threshold.
A TfL Taxi and Private Hire spokesperson said via social media: “Congratulations to Mohamed B - our youngest taxi driver who passed the Knowledge of London in 2 years at age 20. He had to wait for his 21st birthday to collect his badge.
“We wish him well in the future.”
