A taxi cab offers the privacy and comfort for passengers that trains and buses cannot provide. When there are problems and overcrowding on the public transport system, many choose to travel by taxi.
The traditional colour for hackney cabs has been black, although they now appear in a variety of colours. Some are also to be seen in advertising liveries. Fifty golden cabs were produced for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
With high demand, there are likely to be opportunities for new taxi drivers to make a living in London and in other cities. The Internet has made it much easier to find a black cab for sale, with various dealers advertising new and used taxi vehicles.
In some cases, online showrooms exhibit taxis for sale with detailed images, as well as full specifications. As with making any substantial investment, it's important to get appropriate professional advice. Talking to many taxi drivers about their business should also provide much useful information to help in making a wise choice of cab.
Before even considering the purchase of a black cab, it's essential to investigate and understand the legal requirements, rules and regulations that influence and control the taxi business. The local licensing office will provide the full details. Some of the main points are below.
A hackney carriage is the only type of taxi in London allowed to pick up passengers on the street without pre-booking. It must be licensed by the Public Carriage Office within Greater London or by the local authority in other cities.
The small roundabout at the entrance of the Savoy Hotel established the legal requirement that a black cab must have a turning circle of only 25 feet.
In London, hackney carriage drivers must pass a test to show they have a very detailed knowledge of London streets. This is the Knowledge of London Examination System, commonly called "The Knowledge".
The councils of other towns and cities have various regulations for taxi drivers which may also include a test on the local area. Some, though, only require a driver to pass a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure and have a clean driving licence.
Learning "The Knowledge" takes considerable time and effort. This may lead to some potential new taxi drivers considering a career in other areas, where this test is not needed.
In the case of "The Knowledge" in London, a driver must be able to drive a route immediately, in response to the request of a passenger. The cab driver must not look at a map, rely on satellite navigation or consult a controller by radio.
Once the test has been passed and the regulations satisfied, finding a black cab for sale and buying it is comparatively straightforward.
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