THE MYTHS OF THE TAXI TRADE: Tom Hutley asks whether taxi drivers really memorise 28,000 streets
In his latest video, "Do Taxi Drivers REALLY Memorise 28,000 Streets?", Tom the Taxi Driver dives into common misconceptions surrounding London's iconic cabbies.
Tom Hutley, a London-based cabbie and YouTube content creator, shares insights into the life of a London taxi driver and has amassed a following of over 90,000 to date.
His channel provides a mix of myth-busting videos, personal anecdotes, and practical advice about the profession. Many of Tom’s videos address common misconceptions about taxi driving, the challenges and rewards of the job, and the intricacies of navigating London's streets. His content is aimed at both aspiring taxi drivers and the general public, offering a candid look at what it takes to be a successful London cabbie.
A key part of this video focuses on the confirmation that London cabbies still undergo the rigorous Knowledge test, debunking the myth that it’s an outdated practice. The Knowledge involves learning approximately 320 routes and thousands of streets, but not the exaggerated figure of 28,000 roads. This test ensures that drivers can navigate efficiently without relying solely on GPS, a skill that sets London cabbies apart from many other taxi drivers globally.
The Knowledge of London, commonly referred to as “The Knowledge”, is an extensive training process that London’s black cab drivers must undergo to obtain their licence. This rigorous process demands that the drivers master a detailed understanding of the city’s labyrinthine layout, including the locations of streets, squares, clubs, hospitals, hotels, theatres, embassies, government buildings, and other landmarks.
Other topics addressed by Tom in the video include the changing demographics of the taxi industry, how much cabbies earn from the industry and how the belief that cabbies still avoid certain areas, like South London, is largely outdated.
