[Anonymous8356]

Disclaimer: this a genuine post, not a trolling attempt. I understand most commenters probably come here for the banter but I believe there are some knowledgeable people on this forum, too. I would be nice to get some comments that aren't cynical or condescending. (Racist comments will be ignored.)
I did not find a really relevant thread so I decided to pen one.
At the moment I am working as an administrative assistant (non-legal). While I enjoy doing it, the salary is probably less than what a hard-working and clever Private Hire driver earns. (In addition to that, our sector is going through changes. My job may not be around in 4-5 years time)
Let me reiterate that I respect both London Black Cad driver as well as Private Hire (PH) drivers. Driving for a living in London is not an easy job to do.
My questions to you are the following.
Those of you who do the Knowledge of London while also making a living as Private Hire drivers:
Do you think doing PH really helps you to do the Knowledge? Surely you get to know London's road better than those who don't drive for a living…but do you actually get enough time and energy to learn the individual runs if you already have to drive 50-60 hours per week just to make a living?
To those who already drive London Black Cabs :

• Do you think the London Black Cab industry in 2020 is inclusive enough to accept a driver of a Romani Gypsy origin who does not speak with a cockney accent? (Before anyone starts off with racist comments, Bob Hoskins' mother was a Romani Gypsy from Germany. And there are a few more famous Brits with Romani Gypsy ancestors).My only reason to join PH is to make doing the Knowledge easier (and doing it by car, rather than by riding a motorbike). My other alternative is (I am inclined to choose this one) to sacrifice two mornings a week, do the runs on a cheap motorbike - and finish the Knowledge in about 4 years' time.

My main issue with doing PH (even for a short time) is security: having worked with the general British public previously while working in betting shop for a year in a rough part of southeast London - there is no way on earth I would drive the public without being separated from them by a safety glass partition and armed with CCTV cameras and voice recorders. Yes, I know you say over 99% of your passengers are reasonable…but the remaining 1% risk is still too much risk to take. (Add to this Brexit - the racist idiots are already out of control in the UK).
I believe with older cabbies retiring in droves, this time is just as good as any to start the Knowledge. There is seemingly enough places for new applicants to join.
My reasons for joining the Black Cab industry:
-Earnings: if they can earn the same amount with 40 hours driving that a PH driver earns with 60 hours driving - I think it's worth becoming a cabbie. Need to take a few hours off to take the kids to school? Want to take a whole day off to be present at your son's christening? I believe you can do that easily while driving a LBC? Can you really do the same if you driver a PH vehicle?
-Work-life balance and real self-employment: it appears to be the case with Black Cabbies, not so much if you do PH.

-Organization: there seem to be a real comradery between cabbies and a few places in London reserved exclusively for them. Also, effective trade union (which PH lacks for obvious reasons).

(A bit about me: 36-year old. Widowed, no children yet. British national, in the UK since 2004. A first-class Law degree in 2017, but have been unable to secure graduate employment in the Legal sector. Five years of driving experience, no points on licence. No criminal record.)

Any genuine advice would be appreciated.

 

[London-born-and-bred]

Doing PH will give you a better understanding of the geography of London, so yes In that respect it will help with the KOL.

BTW, not only was Bob Hoskins NOT a cockney, he wasn't even a Londoner.

 

[Anon2014]

To do KoL, you really need to get on your bike.

 

[Lookingaround]

Once you go Prius there is no going back.
Power thru the KOL should be done in about 2 years.

don’t look at cabbie007 as example

 

[Dov]

Clockwork mice

 

[Momo11]

Disclaimer: this a genuine post, not a trolling attempt. I understand most commenters probably come here for the banter but I believe there are some knowledgeable people on this forum, too. I would be nice to get some comments that aren't cynical or condescending. (Racist comments will be ignored.)
I did not find a really relevant thread so I decided to pen one.
At the moment I am working as an administrative assistant (non-legal). While I enjoy doing it, the salary is probably less than what a hard-working and clever Private Hire driver earns. (In addition to that, our sector is going through changes. My job may not be around in 4-5 years time)
Let me reiterate that I respect both London Black Cad driver as well as Private Hire (PH) drivers. Driving for a living in London is not an easy job to do.
My questions to you are the following.
Those of you who do the Knowledge of London while also making a living as Private Hire drivers:
Do you think doing PH really helps you to do the Knowledge? Surely you get to know London's road better than those who don't drive for a living…but do you actually get enough time and energy to learn the individual runs if you already have to drive 50-60 hours per week just to make a living?
To those who already drive London Black Cabs :

• Do you think the London Black Cab industry in 2020 is inclusive enough to accept a driver of a Romani Gypsy origin who does not speak with a cockney accent? (Before anyone starts off with racist comments, Bob Hoskins' mother was a Romani Gypsy from Germany. And there are a few more famous Brits with Romani Gypsy ancestors).My only reason to join PH is to make doing the Knowledge easier (and doing it by car, rather than by riding a motorbike). My other alternative is (I am inclined to choose this one) to sacrifice two mornings a week, do the runs on a cheap motorbike - and finish the Knowledge in about 4 years' time.

My main issue with doing PH (even for a short time) is security: having worked with the general British public previously while working in betting shop for a year in a rough part of southeast London - there is no way on earth I would drive the public without being separated from them by a safety glass partition and armed with CCTV cameras and voice recorders. Yes, I know you say over 99% of your passengers are reasonable…but the remaining 1% risk is still too much risk to take. (Add to this Brexit - the racist idiots are already out of control in the UK).
I believe with older cabbies retiring in droves, this time is just as good as any to start the Knowledge. There is seemingly enough places for new applicants to join.
My reasons for joining the Black Cab industry:
-Earnings: if they can earn the same amount with 40 hours driving that a PH driver earns with 60 hours driving - I think it's worth becoming a cabbie. Need to take a few hours off to take the kids to school? Want to take a whole day off to be present at your son's christening? I believe you can do that easily while driving a LBC? Can you really do the same if you driver a PH vehicle?
-Work-life balance and real self-employment: it appears to be the case with Black Cabbies, not so much if you do PH.

-Organization: there seem to be a real comradery between cabbies and a few places in London reserved exclusively for them. Also, effective trade union (which PH lacks for obvious reasons).

(A bit about me: 36-year old. Widowed, no children yet. British national, in the UK since 2004. A first-class Law degree in 2017, but have been unable to secure graduate employment in the Legal sector. Five years of driving experience, no points on licence. No criminal record.)

Any genuine advice would be appreciated.

Need to understand both trade
I was minicab one of first Uber driver left in late 2014 got my green badge 2015
Ph industry has changed lot in recent years biggest problem is over saturated +78% and expenses ( ulez. Congestion charge. High insurance....)
Best example look what happens to 007 completely failed
My advice
If anyone tells you by doing ph to understand knowledge that completely nonsense
Knowledge very hard not easy need to be very committed.
the cheapest and best way to do it is bike not car
Specially now with delivery app you can do Knl mornings and work ( deliveroo. Ubereat ...) evening
The best place to ask how to do it not in Uber forum but in knowledge schools

 

[Gilga]

Kol is sh1t..just wasting time and money...

 

[Jack Barclay]

Kol is sh1t..just wasting time and money...

it you are happy with £11 an hour net then listen

 

[Momo11]

it you are happy with £11 an hour net then listen

Plus his very happy to pay £12k a year commission to Uber

 

[PrecariousWork]

Disclaimer: this a genuine post, not a trolling attempt. I understand most commenters probably come here for the banter but I believe there are some knowledgeable people on this forum, too. I would be nice to get some comments that aren't cynical or condescending. (Racist comments will be ignored.)
I did not find a really relevant thread so I decided to pen one.
At the moment I am working as an administrative assistant (non-legal). While I enjoy doing it, the salary is probably less than what a hard-working and clever Private Hire driver earns. (In addition to that, our sector is going through changes. My job may not be around in 4-5 years time)
Let me reiterate that I respect both London Black Cad driver as well as Private Hire (PH) drivers. Driving for a living in London is not an easy job to do.
My questions to you are the following.
Those of you who do the Knowledge of London while also making a living as Private Hire drivers:
Do you think doing PH really helps you to do the Knowledge? Surely you get to know London's road better than those who don't drive for a living…but do you actually get enough time and energy to learn the individual runs if you already have to drive 50-60 hours per week just to make a living?
To those who already drive London Black Cabs :

• Do you think the London Black Cab industry in 2020 is inclusive enough to accept a driver of a Romani Gypsy origin who does not speak with a cockney accent? (Before anyone starts off with racist comments, Bob Hoskins' mother was a Romani Gypsy from Germany. And there are a few more famous Brits with Romani Gypsy ancestors).My only reason to join PH is to make doing the Knowledge easier (and doing it by car, rather than by riding a motorbike). My other alternative is (I am inclined to choose this one) to sacrifice two mornings a week, do the runs on a cheap motorbike - and finish the Knowledge in about 4 years' time.

My main issue with doing PH (even for a short time) is security: having worked with the general British public previously while working in betting shop for a year in a rough part of southeast London - there is no way on earth I would drive the public without being separated from them by a safety glass partition and armed with CCTV cameras and voice recorders. Yes, I know you say over 99% of your passengers are reasonable…but the remaining 1% risk is still too much risk to take. (Add to this Brexit - the racist idiots are already out of control in the UK).
I believe with older cabbies retiring in droves, this time is just as good as any to start the Knowledge. There is seemingly enough places for new applicants to join.
My reasons for joining the Black Cab industry:
-Earnings: if they can earn the same amount with 40 hours driving that a PH driver earns with 60 hours driving - I think it's worth becoming a cabbie. Need to take a few hours off to take the kids to school? Want to take a whole day off to be present at your son's christening? I believe you can do that easily while driving a LBC? Can you really do the same if you driver a PH vehicle?
-Work-life balance and real self-employment: it appears to be the case with Black Cabbies, not so much if you do PH.

-Organization: there seem to be a real comradery between cabbies and a few places in London reserved exclusively for them. Also, effective trade union (which PH lacks for obvious reasons).

(A bit about me: 36-year old. Widowed, no children yet. British national, in the UK since 2004. A first-class Law degree in 2017, but have been unable to secure graduate employment in the Legal sector. Five years of driving experience, no points on licence. No criminal record.)

Any genuine advice would be appreciated.

Good for you

 

[renod babek]

Disclaimer: this a genuine post, not a trolling attempt. I understand most commenters probably come here for the banter but I believe there are some knowledgeable people on this forum, too. I would be nice to get some comments that aren't cynical or condescending. (Racist comments will be ignored.)
I did not find a really relevant thread so I decided to pen one.
At the moment I am working as an administrative assistant (non-legal). While I enjoy doing it, the salary is probably less than what a hard-working and clever Private Hire driver earns. (In addition to that, our sector is going through changes. My job may not be around in 4-5 years time)
Let me reiterate that I respect both London Black Cad driver as well as Private Hire (PH) drivers. Driving for a living in London is not an easy job to do.
My questions to you are the following.
Those of you who do the Knowledge of London while also making a living as Private Hire drivers:
Do you think doing PH really helps you to do the Knowledge? Surely you get to know London's road better than those who don't drive for a living…but do you actually get enough time and energy to learn the individual runs if you already have to drive 50-60 hours per week just to make a living?
To those who already drive London Black Cabs :

• Do you think the London Black Cab industry in 2020 is inclusive enough to accept a driver of a Romani Gypsy origin who does not speak with a cockney accent? (Before anyone starts off with racist comments, Bob Hoskins' mother was a Romani Gypsy from Germany. And there are a few more famous Brits with Romani Gypsy ancestors).My only reason to join PH is to make doing the Knowledge easier (and doing it by car, rather than by riding a motorbike). My other alternative is (I am inclined to choose this one) to sacrifice two mornings a week, do the runs on a cheap motorbike - and finish the Knowledge in about 4 years' time.

My main issue with doing PH (even for a short time) is security: having worked with the general British public previously while working in betting shop for a year in a rough part of southeast London - there is no way on earth I would drive the public without being separated from them by a safety glass partition and armed with CCTV cameras and voice recorders. Yes, I know you say over 99% of your passengers are reasonable…but the remaining 1% risk is still too much risk to take. (Add to this Brexit - the racist idiots are already out of control in the UK).
I believe with older cabbies retiring in droves, this time is just as good as any to start the Knowledge. There is seemingly enough places for new applicants to join.
My reasons for joining the Black Cab industry:
-Earnings: if they can earn the same amount with 40 hours driving that a PH driver earns with 60 hours driving - I think it's worth becoming a cabbie. Need to take a few hours off to take the kids to school? Want to take a whole day off to be present at your son's christening? I believe you can do that easily while driving a LBC? Can you really do the same if you driver a PH vehicle?
-Work-life balance and real self-employment: it appears to be the case with Black Cabbies, not so much if you do PH.

-Organization: there seem to be a real comradery between cabbies and a few places in London reserved exclusively for them. Also, effective trade union (which PH lacks for obvious reasons).

(A bit about me: 36-year old. Widowed, no children yet. British national, in the UK since 2004. A first-class Law degree in 2017, but have been unable to secure graduate employment in the Legal sector. Five years of driving experience, no points on licence. No criminal record.)

Any genuine advice would be appreciated.

There is no such person as a clever ph driver!
Fact.

Disclaimer: this a genuine post, not a trolling attempt. I understand most commenters probably come here for the banter but I believe there are some knowledgeable people on this forum, too. I would be nice to get some comments that aren't cynical or condescending. (Racist comments will be ignored.)
I did not find a really relevant thread so I decided to pen one.
At the moment I am working as an administrative assistant (non-legal). While I enjoy doing it, the salary is probably less than what a hard-working and clever Private Hire driver earns. (In addition to that, our sector is going through changes. My job may not be around in 4-5 years time)
Let me reiterate that I respect both London Black Cad driver as well as Private Hire (PH) drivers. Driving for a living in London is not an easy job to do.
My questions to you are the following.
Those of you who do the Knowledge of London while also making a living as Private Hire drivers:
Do you think doing PH really helps you to do the Knowledge? Surely you get to know London's road better than those who don't drive for a living…but do you actually get enough time and energy to learn the individual runs if you already have to drive 50-60 hours per week just to make a living?
To those who already drive London Black Cabs :

• Do you think the London Black Cab industry in 2020 is inclusive enough to accept a driver of a Romani Gypsy origin who does not speak with a cockney accent? (Before anyone starts off with racist comments, Bob Hoskins' mother was a Romani Gypsy from Germany. And there are a few more famous Brits with Romani Gypsy ancestors).My only reason to join PH is to make doing the Knowledge easier (and doing it by car, rather than by riding a motorbike). My other alternative is (I am inclined to choose this one) to sacrifice two mornings a week, do the runs on a cheap motorbike - and finish the Knowledge in about 4 years' time.

My main issue with doing PH (even for a short time) is security: having worked with the general British public previously while working in betting shop for a year in a rough part of southeast London - there is no way on earth I would drive the public without being separated from them by a safety glass partition and armed with CCTV cameras and voice recorders. Yes, I know you say over 99% of your passengers are reasonable…but the remaining 1% risk is still too much risk to take. (Add to this Brexit - the racist idiots are already out of control in the UK).
I believe with older cabbies retiring in droves, this time is just as good as any to start the Knowledge. There is seemingly enough places for new applicants to join.
My reasons for joining the Black Cab industry:
-Earnings: if they can earn the same amount with 40 hours driving that a PH driver earns with 60 hours driving - I think it's worth becoming a cabbie. Need to take a few hours off to take the kids to school? Want to take a whole day off to be present at your son's christening? I believe you can do that easily while driving a LBC? Can you really do the same if you driver a PH vehicle?
-Work-life balance and real self-employment: it appears to be the case with Black Cabbies, not so much if you do PH.

-Organization: there seem to be a real comradery between cabbies and a few places in London reserved exclusively for them. Also, effective trade union (which PH lacks for obvious reasons).

(A bit about me: 36-year old. Widowed, no children yet. British national, in the UK since 2004. A first-class Law degree in 2017, but have been unable to secure graduate employment in the Legal sector. Five years of driving experience, no points on licence. No criminal record.)

Any genuine advice would be appreciated.

are you selling cctv by any chance?

 

[Harold Shand]

Kol is sh1t..just wasting time and money...

Ever seen a bc driver give up his badge and go work for Uber ? No me neither. The knowledge is only rubbish to people who haven't got the balls to do it. But don't worry

 

[Slbenfas]

Hi
Everyone should be encouraged to do the knowledge, in every trade.
I don’t understand the comments who desmotivate the people.

 

[Jack Barclay]

I would have thought surely working as a mini cab driver would be all of the motivation needed to not being a mini cab driver?

 

[Petersmith]

I would like to get things in perspective.

When PH drivers say they earn £20per hour (or £11 net before tax) That is including the time they step foot out of house, including the breaks in between and until they step home.

Black cab drivers claim they take £30-40 per hour. Is that including all of the above when I mentioned, including sitting at taxi ranks and driving around for couple of hours with no street work? Please clarify so we can make sense of things. I would appreciate if BC don’t dodge this question as it’s important to understand if knowledge is worth doing.

 

[Momo11]

I would like to get things in perspective.

When PH drivers say they earn £20per hour (or £11 net before tax) That is including the time they step foot out of house, including the breaks in between and until they step home.

Black cab drivers claim they take £30-40 per hour. Is that including all of the above when I mentioned, including sitting at taxi ranks and driving around for couple of hours with no street work? Please clarify so we can make sense of things. I would appreciate if BC don't dodge this question as it's important to understand if knowledge is worth doing.

We didn't dodge any questions i personally replied to all questions. Need to understand this is open public forum
How many black cab in YouTube Showing their earning = 0
How many Uber in YouTube showing their earning = 5 millions
don't worry when get your green badge you give us feedback

 

[Jack Barclay]

I would like to get things in perspective.

When PH drivers say they earn £20per hour (or £11 net before tax) That is including the time they step foot out of house, including the breaks in between and until they step home.

Black cab drivers claim they take £30-40 per hour. Is that including all of the above when I mentioned, including sitting at taxi ranks and driving around for couple of hours with no street work? Please clarify so we can make sense of things. I would appreciate if BC don't dodge this question as it's important to understand if knowledge is worth doing.

why would you include the commute? Everybody employed or self employed has a commute to some degree which isn't paid, so to be truly comparative I wouldn't include it

 

[kay12344]

Never in your life you could earn as the knowledge boys working for uber

 

[Morgause]

A first-class Law degree in 2017

My only reason to join PH is to make doing the Knowledge easier (and doing it by car, rather than by riding a motorbike).

My other alternative is (I am inclined to choose this one) to sacrifice two mornings a week, do the runs on a cheap motorbike - and finish the Knowledge in about 4 years' time.

"Two Mornings a Week" for 320 Runs with 640 Quarter-Miles. Never say never but I would be surprised if you passed in 4 years by ONLY doing two mornings a week..

Surely, the outcome of your endeavours would be obvious. Best to talk to the experts at Knowledge Schools 🥇 🥇 🥇

 

[newber19]

Is it worth doing the KOL in 2020? The wage sacrifice in order to get the badge to tap into a shrinking pool of customers. Meanwhile the vehicle costs £60k plus?

I started as a PH driver just 4 months ago. I've worked/ran PH companies for 12 years. Uber killed PH companies, Uber is killing the BC trade (hence the relentless protests).

Pre-Uber doing the KOL was well worth it. Now, the PH industry continues to grow and looks to future technologies (driverless cars) whereas the BC trade offers nothing to even suggest it may exist in a decade.

I would 100% go for the badge if it was worth it. But a huge gamble surely?