These taxi drivers are different — they have to pass an exam

Consider that you need a cab to get to your destination and you have no information on the route.

You show the address to the driver and he takes you to your destination without using a navigation device, arguing with you on the fare or keeping you waiting in traffic. You may not believe what you are reading right now, but this is not a dream; this really does exist. In London!

The drivers as described above are very popular on the streets of the city. However, achieving this fame and reputation has a price. The first step is to be a master of the book titled “The Knowledge.” And then you have to pass an exam based on this book. No, you did not read that incorrectly. The taxi drivers in London are subjected to a test based on this book, which contains information on all London streets and cab driving. Those who can figure out the best route without using a navigation device or a map whilst observing the rules of the road become entitled to drive a taxi on the city’s streets. There are particular places that the drivers have to know especially such as churches, police stations, museums, parks and theaters. Some prepare for this test for four years.

This shows that becoming a cab driver in London is not something that just anyone can do. Of course, the candidates do not take the exam by memorizing this book alone. There are preparatory schools in the city specializing in this test. Specialist CDs, websites and blogs are the greatest helpers.

6,000 take exam each year, only 1,000 pass

As utopic as it sounds, John Mason, Transport for London’s director of taxi and private hire, will convince you that this is real. Mason argues that the test based on “The Knowledge” is the toughest in the world. He believes that this test is really difficult because it involves history and tradition, but it is also a remarkable invention. Mason says: “We are trying to raise the standards of the drivers in every possible way.” Nearly 6,000 candidates take the test every year, but only 700-1,000 pass. Cab driving is not something that just anyone can do in London. The drivers in this city have a career plan and goals. Becoming a driver of a ‘black cab” is one of these goals. If you get one of these in the city of London, you should consider yourself lucky because these drivers have extensive knowledge of the city.

Tom Marie has been a driver on London’s streets for 15 years. He is a famous black cab driver. Marie says there are many men and women who spend years learning thousands of the streets in London to become a black cab driver. A common sight in London is seeing someone driving around on a scooter with a clipboard attached, studying hard. This is the case in London.

The situation in Turkey does not even come close to London’s since driver competence is not examined before they can become a cab driver.

I interviewed local taxi drivers and asked them whether they would choose this profession if they had to take an exam like the one in London.

The responses are fairly interesting. Below are some comments by cab drivers:

‘It is not realistic to have a taxi driving test given that even college placement exams are not done properly’

Sarat Toy (20)

I have been driving cab for a year-and-a-half. If we had a system like the one in Britain and if I really wanted to be a cab driver, then I would have worked hard to become one. But I do not think older people would do this because those who retire in our country often become cab drivers. An exam would be tough for them. I have a navigation device in my car and I use it, especially at nighttime. I do not think that an exam system like the one in Britain would work in Turkey given that even college placement exams are not held properly.

‘There are many cab drivers; which ones will take the exam?’

Hasan Cırık (38)

I have been a cab driver for five years. Despite my five years of experience, I sometimes cannot easily find some destinations. The İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality offered a training program for drivers five years ago, although it was not similar to the system in Britain. Of course the test was not a mandatory part of the program. Only volunteers participated in it. As far as I understand, the system in Britain is obligatory. Introducing such a system in Turkey seems to me a remote possibility. There are many drivers in İstanbul. How many of them will take the exam? I would not spend four years studying to become a driver.

‘In fact, we do need such a system’

Naim Cerah (45)

I have been a driver for 17 years. I would have become a cab driver even if there had been a system like the one in Britain because I love this job. I do not have a navigation device in my car. I know most of the places in the city. In fact, we do need such a system.

‘Cab driver license project to be introduced’

Yahya Uğur, chair of the İstanbul Chamber of Cab Drivers, said in remarks to Sunday’s Zaman that there is no such system like the one in London in Turkey. “Cab drivers did not have to do anything up until last year. Anyone who wanted to become a driver was permitted to drive a cab. For the first time, the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality has introduced a registration system for cab drivers. Those with a criminal record were identified and not licensed.”

He believes that such a system could be introduced, but it will take some time. “We are now working on a project, the ‘cab driver license’ project. Those who hold this license will be able to become cab drivers. Under this project, candidates will be tested about first aid knowledge, professional training, anger management and foreign language competency. These are essential. I hope we will be able to do it. We have to do this in order to address prejudices. We introduced a toll-free hotline via which the customers can register complaints so that the cab drivers are disciplined. I can say that the number of complaints declined after this line was set up.” Uğur said there are 18,000 cabs and 35,000 cab drivers in İstanbul alone, but he is not sure if it is really possible to train all of them. However, this could be done in time. The taxi complaint hotline is 444 15 23 and 325 15 15.