Call Sign November 2003 - Page 8 - Is there 'Quickie' Knowledge

There has been much recent speculation regarding the issue of new taxi driver licences. It claims an apparent dilution of the standards now required to obtain the coveted All London Green Badge. Led by one driver organisation, the speculation infers that the present day KoL is easier than it was a few years ago. It has also been claimed that pressure was brought onto the Public Carriage Office by taxi proprietors and other ‘vested’ interests, to pass out candidates quicker in order to satisfy those proprietor’s profit margins without regard to any economic downturn and drivers’ earnings at the time.

In order to establish the facts, Call Sign undertook extensive research to determine the truth. In exclusive interviews with Tony Bishop, Head of the Knowledge Department and Senior Knowledge of London Examiner at the PCO, our reporter was given straight answers to direct questions, allowed to sit-in on an Induction Talk for new ‘All London’ recruits and furnished with statistics detailing the issue (and surrender) of Drivers Licences from 2000 until August 2003. All this information was readily offered.
   Mr Bishop described in detail the modern techniques used to test candidates’ Knowledge and monitor their progress. He categorically denied a dilution of the ‘Knowledge’ or any ‘hidden agenda’ to pass out students at a lower standard than has been the norm.
   "The length of time on the Knowledge is based on the students own commitment and dedication," he said. "The original 460 odd Blue Book runs were reduced a few years ago to 320 because of the duplication of many runs. Perhaps that gave the impression of being easier," he continued, "but that isn’t the case. Nowadays, candidates have to complete the first 80 runs in the book within the first six months. They then return to the PCO to check their progress via a system of self-marking, whereby answers, runs and points (sites) are projected onto a screen and they compare their efforts with those shown. The pass mark is 60%."
   Tony Bishop went on: "We offer guidance and advice at this early stage to ensure they are going about it the right way, but we do not see their answers. The remaining runs need to be completed within two years.
   There is also a written test as well as appearances and our scoring system, whereby students gain marks for their ability, also helps to weed out the time wasters."
   Call Sign then asked about computerisation.

Is there 'Quickie'
Knowledge?
Call Sign Goes to the PCO to Find Out!

Knoledge of London examiners. (L-R) Steve Groves, Nicola Danvers, John Wilkin, Dave O'connor and Tony Bishop is at the front. Who says they cant smile.

"Costs are a consideration," answered Tony, "and besides, computers cannot be updated that quickly to keep up with the changes in London.
Nothing beats getting out to actually see a ‘point’, although some students think it can be done from a chair! Generally speaking, it still takes three years to gain a badge," he concluded.
Call Sign was informed that there are 10.5 Knowledge Examiners, each a Licensed Taxi Driver in their own right. 10.5? Was one of them vertically challenged?
"No," laughed Tony Bishop, "we have one part-timer. In addition, we all have to pay the full licence fee when renewing our Bills like everyone else!"
Call Sign Attends an Induction Talk

Meanwhile, downstairs in the Assembly Hall, 23 young hopefuls gathered for their Induction Talk to be conducted by Michael Field, himself a seasoned Examiner. He covered every aspect of learning the Knowledge, from advice on clothing and transportation, to suitable maps, books, Internet and other resources, right the way through to Knowledge Schools, the importance of call over partners and something referred to as ‘Dumb-bell Knowledge’. This is the art of noting points within a quarter mile radius of the start/finish and drawing a circle around each. Then to mark a straight line between the two, relating to the streets one should use. The resultant image on the map resembles a weightlifters Dumb-bell! It’s an effective method of determining the shortest practicable route that relates to the old ‘cottoning up’ in the time-honoured fashion…
   As Mr. Field, with the aid of an overhead projector, built up the map of London with streets, buildings of interest, railway stations, theatres, cinemas and assorted venues that we as drivers carry about in our heads, the new recruits shifted uneasily in their seats as it slowly dawned on them what they were about to undertake!
   Michael then went on to explain that they would be expected to take people wherever they wanted to go and if candidates lived in Ealing, they would be tested on areas in East Ham! Living in Hampstead? Then go look at Croydon! He then informed them that PCO experience has shown that 75% of original students drop-out for all sorts of reasons and that the cost of the exams is £100. They would also have to find themselves a cab with which to take the driving test and arrange it themselves through the Driving Standards Agency. If that were not enough, they were advised "…not to knock on doors when looking for points that had moved, because current residents get annoyed when the umpteenth Knowledge person has disturbed their privacy!"
   Dress code was mentioned, which was described as ‘properly attired’ while ladies need to be ‘appropriately dressed’. This is endorsed when visiting the PCO for appearances.
   During research for this article, we requested details of students currently on the All London Knowledge and also the number of Drivers Licences issued and surrendered during the past three years. These details were readily furnished and are reprinted below:

Call Sign would like to thank Tony Bishop, Michael Field and Simon Buggey at the PCO for their time and assistance with the preparation of this article.

July 17 2000		2682 Knowledge Students
Sept 5 2003		2092 Students

Total reduction:		590

Year	New Lic	Surrenders	Net Change
2000	1005	434	571
2001	807	399	408
2002	839	427	412
2003	326	364	38