The black cab drivers' famed Knowledge test has been endorsed by
the UK's leading vocational examination board.
It has received official accreditation by City & Guilds, which
said the exam met "recognised quality standards".
Chris Humphries, City & Guilds director general, said the
Knowledge was "a sound training and examining system".
The Knowledge, introduced in 1865, involves remembering
every street within six miles of Charing Cross and takes up to
three years to attain.
Independent assessment
To achieve the accreditation, the Public Carriage Office's in-house
examination system was inspected by vocational training
experts.
Mr Humphries said the seal of approval will give passengers peace
of mind to know the system has been independently assessed.
"It is also a great way of professionalising one of the country's
oldest occupations," he said.
Bob Oddy, Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association general secretary,
said he was always confident the Knowledge would stand up to
scrutiny.
"Black cab drivers study for up to three years to attain
the Knowledge, so we know how rigorous it is," he
said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6173930.stm
Time to impose more stringent standards on our cab drivers...
