Unwritten Rules of Taxi Driving

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

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[@millwallnigel9255]

Says a lot about the quality of these videos that after my shift in a cab in London I sit down to watch someone else talking about driving a cab around London. Keep up the good work, mate you're a great ambassador for the trade.

[@rickyb725]

Do you support West Ham?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Cheers mate! I'm glad there's other proud drivers out there 😊

[@millwallnigel9255]

@@rickyb725 No, Leyton Orient

[@BikeSausage]

@@millwallnigel9255 In that case I shall seek out your cab.

[@johnbill8810]

Great videos. Cabbie in Manchester for 25 years. Unfortunately, etiquette and manors you mention are a thing of the past.

[@johnswanson2600]

Came to London on vacation from the US and went to the cab rank outside Victoria Station and asked one of the drivers to take me to my hotel. He pointed up the line and said "It's his turn mate." They really are unwritten rules.

[@autonomousideas1256]

The Slagging Off point really hit home with me last week. I was in a Black Cab last week where the driver swore (at an Olympic level that would make a docker blush) about pedestrians, cyclists, TFL and the Mayor for 15 minutes solid and then had a verbal altercation with a pedestrian at Borough Market. I suspect customer care is not part of his DNA! Of course, he's an exception as most London Cab drivers are true professionals. Love the channel, Tom, keep up the good work.

[@Vickix1185]

Great video Tom, really interesting for me as someone who doesn't visit London often, but makes use of taxis when I do. I love that not only is there all this etiquette between drivers, but that so much of it revolves around queuing and not queue jumping. How very British :D

[@mallorca6297]

Great Video Tom! I drive a taxi in Spain ( Palma de Mallorca) , the etiquette here is the same: no pulling out In front or overtaking another empty taxi, no loading a client beside a taxi rank even if he hails you,… but: at the airport if it’s your turn and the client wants to go somewhere inside the airport terminal ( hangar , office etc) your allowed to come back and go to the front of the queue ( showing your receipt for a very short journey)… cheers

[@connoroleary591]

Brilliant! I earn my living driving in London and always respected taxi drivers. They helped to smooth out traffic flows by driving that little bit slower and other drivers being aware of their need to stop at short notice. Using your horn and big mouthing it certainly creates a bad impression. For most people a taxi is a luxury, treat the passenger with due class. They appreciate it much more.

[@richardbates1993]

Driving instructors often use the saying "Colleagues not competitors", even though we are all individually self-employed

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Indeed, you never know what referral or work might come your way if another colleague can't cover it!

[@salina3192]

I am in London for the first time in 15 years right now and I realized how much I recignize just from binging this channel the last couple of months 😂

[@samcadwallader2899]

British queuing etiquette taken to the level of an art form. I'd love to know how Parisian, Roman or even Limenos taxis drivers decide the pecking order they take their customers in.

[@AlfoNso-ms4of]

Hi from a Roman. Unless you’re from Rome, stubborn and willing to argue with the drivers, you will probably be scammed by the driver. They’re trying to solve this at Fiumicino Airport now, but I can give you my word that they try to scam even me, and I’ve lived in Rome for 20 years and speak with a very heavy Roman accent on purpose when adressing drivers. London’s service is way better probably because of the “meritocratic” licensing system, much different from Rome’s hereditary/mortgage system. Regards

[@mojabaka]

@@AlfoNso-ms4of How do they scam? I was in Rome a month ago and the fare from the airport to city center was set at a fixed price of 50 Euros. For every other ride they drove with a taximeter and I didn‘t have a feeling that it‘s very expensive or that they somehow scammed me. My experience with taxis in Rome as a tourist was positive all in all.

[@AlfoNso-ms4of]

@@mojabaka they just invent fixed fares, add random supplements (eg luggage, airport parking fee which in Rome is free of charge) or may tell you that they want you to split the ride with other people, still paying full price fares (this last one is for the ones who drive vans). Plus, they say they don’t take card payments (they do but are gomma tell you the machine is not working so that they don’t spend in commissions and can avoid declaring their actual earnings).

[@mojabaka]

@@AlfoNso-ms4of Interesting. Thankfully nothing like that happened to me. Thanks for the info though.

[@AlfoNso-ms4of]

@@mojabaka glad you had a good time here!

[@davidw1518]

Thank you for clarifying the situation at Sloane Square! If I'm coming out of a concert in Cadogan Hall (or Holy Trinity Sloane Street) and want to get quickly and comfortably to where I've parked my car (near Chelsea Bridge), ideally I'll hail a cab in Sloane Street, but I've often wondered where I should go if I'm actually in Sloane Square. Now I know!

[@jonbyrnes4349]

I just got hooted at on city airport rank while engrossed in this video and not moving up ! 😂

[@mariuscheek]

Talking about getting into the 2nd cab on a rank.. It must have been 1994, and I was on the way home, popping up from the underground at King's Cross. I would usually have walked, but the weather was terrible, so with ~£6 in my pocket I decided to get a cab (knowing that it had cost ~£4:50 before) I told the driver Richmond Crescent and he started going on about 'It'll take ages to go round Angel, mate'. I answered, no, you don't need to go there, that'll cost 3 times as much, just get on Caledonian Road and go from there. He proceeded to have a massive argument at me about Copenhagen St being one way (it wasn't). "You can't turn right anywhere off Caledonian Road, what do you know? I've known these streets longer than you've been alive! ' etc etc, getting more and more abusive. The cabbie in the next spot got out to defend me, and totally agreed with the route "Yep, you're right, you can turn right up Copenhagen St, can't you?" He offered me a ride (had already spent too long with the first guy), and we drove off to mountains of abuse and death threats to both me and him from the first guy. About 7mins later I was at home for the princely sum of £4:20. My eventual cabby blamed the first guy's lack of knowledge and courtesy on him probably only ever doing hotel runs from Heathrow, and really just wanting a fare to get him back home in Staines!

[@mattthecomposer]

Cameo from Benedict Cumberbatch at 13:29 😂 Great video as always!

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Well spotted! Was wondering if anyone noticed that guy haha!

[@nathan_ro]

Unfortunately brooming happens far to often with me and my wheelchair cause of needing the ramp especially happens at the o2 how scarily ironic was in a cab today (Sunday) and drivers was talking about unwritten rules just after I watched the video and mentioned that I watched you and he said he knew you

[@CallieMasters5000]

Just as drivers can pick and choose their jobs, can a passenger pick and choose their driver? What if they don't want to ride in the green or purple cab, they don't like the driver or cab, or whatever, can they turn down a driver?

[@jonbyrnes4349]

Yes they can chose what cab they want

[@brianevans2819]

Loved that comment in the movie trailer prior to your video Tom: even old people don’t like old people. Brilliant. The only good thing about getting old is grandchildren. Our Chaplain at Liverpool FC walking football Bill Bygroves a very special inspirational man, I said that to him, the only good thing, I can see about getting old, is grandchildren Bill. His reply was: I have 5 grandsons and if I had known how good it was being a grandparent, I would have had them first.

[@iand7518]

Top video this! Feel like I've got a portal into a new world. Really good for punters to know these too, to know we're not always getting fobbed off when told to get into the cab behind for example. Will be on the lookout for these when I'm next in town.

[@londonirish11]

Another great video thanks very much for the information on etiquette. I always try to stand away from junction boxes zigzags et cetera so drivers can pull up safely when I am hailing a black cab.

[@itsdougslife]

Thanks for keeping these informative and insightful videos coming Tom. 👍🏻😀 All the best.

[@angelicupstart1977]

One of the most informative channels on KZbin, great personality as well. You can’t beat an expert when they know their trade 👍

[@dandeene89]

Marylebone station is a pretty common one for overranking i find. End up with taxis all the way up harewood ave near enough onto rossmore road.

[@bengolding1551]

Great video, Tom! Your first few points are all about the etiquette of not stealing other's jobs, but I actually had the opposite problem the other night on Shaftsbury Avenue. We were one of the last to leave the theatre and because of this, it seemed all the black cabs were gone. We waited for 40 mintues on a very cold street for a black cab to come along. It was a Wednesday night - perhaps weekday evenings are quieter? Have you got any tips for finding a cabbie in the theatre district after 10:30pm? Thanks!

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Yes, some parts of London can be tricky to find cabs at certain hours. Shaftesbury Avenue is very very central, meaning that any taxis trying to return to the area might be hailed before getting to Shaftesbury (if demand is high and taxis are low).

[@TUUK2006]

Mate, you should travel to Copenhagen and do a video on cabs over here. Top of the range cars and prices to match. I never thought London would be a bargain in any area compared to here.

[@johnorchin8567]

Hi Tom, Interesting what you say about using your horn, I notice bus drivers often use their very distinctive horn when pedestrians are crossing against the lights, I find this friendly warning hoot hoot so familiar and synonymous with London, would you not use your horn in those circumstances? if someone hailed you in the vicinity of a rank, would you ignore them, and risk looking rude, or stop and explain the etiquette. Another thing which occurs to me is are drivers who drive an old style cab at a slight disadvantage for work, do customers prefer to hail a new style cab? Of course if they queue at a rank it makes them more equal.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

I point them to the rank and do my best to make the driver at the front of the rank aware.

[@MatrixFuse]

I've only ever once hailed a cab after walking around London zoo all day. My legs had completely had it and despite the nearest tube only being minutes walk away I hailed a cab to take us to the station. Felt bad at the time because it was such a short hop but my legs certainly appreciated the help. Can't for the life of me remember which station it was but I've got a feeling it was Camden.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Could be Regents Park, Great Portland Street or yea Camden 😊 I love the short jobs, £3.80 starting fare and potentially a tip, the short ones add up really quick.

[@steveroney8249]

Hi Tom great videos been out 2 years and your videos have really helped I was very anxious when I first got out but watched all your videos and they have been a life saver as I think I would of jacked it in otherwise…I have told any friends who have just passed out and are on knowledge to watch your videos….keep the good work going👍👍👍👍👍

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Cheers Steve! I make them because I love geeking out about the trade and it's history. Everyone has their own interpretation of the rules, but I think you can't go far wrong with "treat your fellow driver like your brother or sister! See you out there sometime!

[@lewiswillson99]

Hey mate, you just drove past me on horse ferry road. I’ve been looking inside black cabs for ages now trying to spot you lol, and today I finally saw you. Have a good day man

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Hahah! Well spotted!

[@dalek3086]

horseferry road ....

[@dsgb]

I eagerly look forward to your new content Tom. 👍🏻😀 Keep up the good work. London cabbies are legends.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Thank you! Lot's more fun stuff in the pipeline

[@kemasuk]

I remember one time in Seattle, Washington when we approached a Crown Victoria taxi (since it was guaranteed to have room for my sister's wheelchair in the trunk (boot), but a different make of vehicle's taxi driver (I don't remember the make or model) got mad at him for "stealing his job".

[@raymondturner9441]

I did 30 years in the job. Don't miss it one bit since I Packed it in. By the way a punter can go up to any cab on the rank and get in. Could be the middle of the rank. They can take the job. Its up to the punter what cab they want

[@dalek3086]

very bad etiquette this - I would never do this

[@StukovM1g]

This reminds me of the number one rule of street vendors: Don't encroach on someone else's territory. I'm my primary school there was the same ice cream vendor every day for six years. Once, another vendor turned up and parked right next to him. He lasted three days and never came back. Seems that etiquette and customs are in place for both street vendors and cabbies so that everyone gets a fair shot to do well, without having to constantly one up each other or fight each other. Is this why cabbies hate Uber so much? For breaking the rules of the game and barging in into their turf?

[@StukovM1g]

@@dshe8637 probably went somewhere else where he wasn't unwelcome.

[@davebenno81]

Totally agree. Rules same in Liverpool.

[@brianevans2819]

The number of times after waiting at Liverpool Lime Street Station, for back in the day, when they where building the pyramids, for hours, for the 4am Sleeper Train from London Euston and they would say the Adelphi Hotel please driver, it is 200 yards away.

[@db_mufc]

Tom any chance you can do a video covering the history of why taxis are sign written and the pros and cons of doing this. Always wondered if the drivers get money from it of or its a way of making the taxi stand out. Keep up the great videos 👍

[@collin6238]

Yea they do they get about 3K a year for it tom covered this point before but it's not for him

[@kiradotee]

Thanks for your service Tom

[@Nounooon]

I respect your ethics, you are a good person

[@adamharris-batt6333]

Perfect Saturday morning video to watch with a cup of tea and toast

[@visionsinblue7093]

Wow! So detailed! Impressive - keep up the good work Tom

[@itstimeforham]

Unrelated but because I saw a few in the video… do the non-TX taxis get fewer hails because people don’t recognise them as such? The Nissan electric models in particular don’t look like real taxis, to such an extent that they actually have to write ‘taxi’ on the bonnet

[@greigs9384]

No. I drive one, and get lots of app requests for electric only. Punters seem to think they’re saving the planet in mine. Who am I to argue.

[@dinger40]

Brooming. A mate got off a train at Crewe station (station is in the middle of a bridge) and got in the first taxi at the rank. Told he wanted to go to the Royal Hotel, taxi driver said he would be better off walking. No I want you to take me. Taxi went 50 yds did a U turn at the end of the bridge charged him a fiver and dropped him off, it was the nearest building.😁😁😁

[@petergilbert7106]

Really interesting to watch. I hope your video serves as inspiration for other taxi drivers to respect the rules.

[@peter04345]

Respect your professionalism and sense of public service

[@barbaramorris5172]

Would add 1 more point to etiquette, for the driver not to be on the phone having a chin wag with their mate whilst they have a passenger. Happened to me, tried to ask him something but was too engaged with his mate to speak to me. Not often in London, so it was a shame. Was hoping to have a chat with the questions you said are good to ask your cabbie in previous vlogs.

[@bdeithrick]

Should come to Dublin . Chaos. All 20 rules broken in one street. Speed. Theft, overtaking, cutting up, ignorance. I’d love to work London

[@dbcooper7326]

As a customer can you pick any cab on the rank ? For example the first cab has a guy in a dirty cab, and you prefer to pick the second one which is clean ?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Yes. You could pick any cab you want and for any reason you want. 👍🏻 well I guess no reason required

[@Sovereign1992]

Great video as always. Glad you mentioned 12 miles/1Hr drive time. As I have been wondering if cabbies are obligated to take all requests no matter the length (within reason). Many thanks. Michael :)

[@herrjanjua7869]

Hey Tom could you do a in depth tour of your tx ramps etc, as we need to chnage our hackneys to Wac where i live

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

They are fantastic on these TXE's, hopefully I will make a short 😊

[@gazwj]

Unfortunately on a recent trip to london i hailed and was turned down despite the fact it was about 30 mins and 6 miles really annoying had to get an uber in the end

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

That's really unfortunate and sorry to hear! Drivers never know their luck, that job could lead to many more jobs!

[@gazwj]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver was frustrating but the guy i had on the way back was really nice so 1 out of 2 aint bad I suppose

[@michaelwood3099]

If you can take a fare being head of the second feeder rank then to me they aren't really feeder ranks are they, why don't they just make them three separate ranks, which in effect they are.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Because when the space becomes available you must move up. If they were separate ranks then you could just sit there until you get a job. Each rank has a little sign somewhere that tells how it operates.

[@oneteaminbristolbcfc]

Thanks for this Tom, will be looking out for you later this month I hope I see you🤞

[@azizbassman]

Great video Tom just shared to loads 👍 another one I was thinking of. Thanks for your efforts 👌

[@mariemccann5895]

Under the calm surface is a sea of sharks! Excellent video, thanks.

[@jonnnyhol2001]

are the cabs with advertisements on like that purple cinch one owned by the driver and to they get more of an income having big adverts on them compared to the plain black cabs?

[@frankobond007]

Well Done Tom, great vid mate!!!

[@suiblade.]

You can tell this guy is a real professional

[@worawatli8952]

Brooming a job is illegal in my country, just learnt that is not the case in the UK, but at least it is still unacceptable. You could get fined if the passenger reported it to the DOT. But even with the fine in place, a lot of driver still do it, but it happened much less often now, before the fine, you could be asking up to 10 drivers until one accept to go. Now it is like 1 in 10 that do it.

[@JamieTheCabby]

Great video Tom, and well made points

[@MartinIbert]

I don't know how it is in London, but here in Berlin (and I think in all of Germany), the choice of the taxi is with the customer. Period. I as the customer can walk up to any taxi in a rank and hail that taxi. If I want a taxi, and a taxi sets down a passenger right in front if me, I. AM. GETTING. THIS. TAXI. I don't care if there are other taxis behind that one. I want a taxi, and I will take it. If you look your doors on me, I may report you to the autorities. I get all your taxi fairness codes. I wonder how you avoid overtaking free taxis if their dome lights are not visible from behind (stupid design if you ask me; why could it be that other city's taxis have dome lights that are visible from all around?). I will pick a taxi from the back portion of a long rank if I know my ride will be an unpopular one. I get all that. But if I want a taxi, and I see one becoming available, I will take it.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Yes we have this rule here. Customer can choose any taxi, they might think the taxi is dirty, or prefer a newer model so they can take anyone. There’s a few ways to spot a taxi that is for hire or not for hire from behind, I will share them soon 👍🏻

[@NotBLoves]

Wow 🚕 drivers is very complicated in London. In 🇺🇸 🚕 drivers take customers they call and get assigned too. It’s pretty unique tho

[@MinionMunchkin]

Another great cab! However, not sure I agree with number 8 from a customer perspective. If I’m hailing a cab and I want to get from A to B fast. I don’t really want to have to cross the road or walk a block to the rank. What’s your thoughts on that?

[@michaelfrancis8692]

Short jobs lead to long jobs St Pancras stn to Goodsway. Then a nice T 3 waiting for me a longun all day long..

[@vjary8142]

Tom, another interesting upload, watch the Zen.

[@peterlearmouth287]

Hi Tom like always great video and great content like all ways I fill your so right about taxie etiquette, this is why you enjoy your job so much and it shows out there we all know the game so let’s keep Professional

[@Gazzxy]

why does rule 10 exist.... just follow the highway flipping code... if there is no reason to let someone out... dont. just unnecessarily disrupting traffic flow.. this should also apply to your rule 5 too you guy arnt above the other motorists on the road though too many drive like they believe they are.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

And the new highway code rule 8 doesn't disrupt traffic flow? What about a bin lorry blocking traffic? or a pedestrian who decides to jump traffic on a red crossing signal? London is hardly one for traffic flow.

[@greigs9384]

Penton St always gave you quite a long talk from a senior examiner about the rules, both written and unwritten on your finals day. Everyone knew the score. Do TfL do that?

[@jamesjohn4994]

No it’s generally just learnt on the street and drivers tend to learn very quickly 😂

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

At badge day they do have an afternoon going over some etiquette and good practices. Essential stuff like, with disabled passengers, meter can only be started once they are loaded in. Trouble is some people got their badges during lockdowns/covid. So they had them posted rather than a physical handover.

[@davidsnuggs7623]

Hi Tom I can see you working at the cartridge office one day inspiring new candidates 😊

[@danielpedersen1688]

i agree it's customer first, but let's take my weekend job as an example. On the weekends or during various holidays during summer, winter, easter etc etc.. I work as a food courier rider where i ride my bike delivering food to customers homes from various restaurants around the city, the great thing about that is like how u work, i just log on / log off when i want its on my own schedule i am my own boss so that's very nice and flexible, BUT if theirs a job that i deem that's bit too far or not really safe in the area i'm at or heading towards then i have the right to decline it. That's not to say that people should do that every single time if they do their wouldn't any point of going to work might as well just stay at home, but i feel its fair think about it this way if i go to an unsafe area to deliver would i want my bike stolen and risk it for a couple of quid? nah i don't think so, i would rather be in a safe area and know that my belongings are all with me at all times. My point is declining a job is okay sometimes even though its customer service but thats the great thing about being your own boss having ur own times u get to decide what u do.

[@ellnixuk1]

I recently had an issue trying to hail a cab at the top of Harewood Avenue. Multiple cabs with their lights on didn't stop. Would this be due to the rank at Marylebone station?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

How far up? Lisson Grove area used to be a hot spot for bilkers

[@ellnixuk1]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver right where Harewood Ave meets Rossmore Road

[@harrisonjames7489]

Annoying when you drive past a job pointing to the rank only for the slippery dog behind to pull in and take it!

[@villagernumber9233]

This was really fascinating to listen to.

[@theogrant528]

Could you talk about the green roadside stations?

[@pryan9892]

He did already in a previous video

[@garycameron1]

What are you thinking about with those earings mate?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

What about them? better than exposed holes in my lobes.

[@garycameron1]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver You are no doubt right about that. I apologise. I didn't realize you had holes in your earlobes.

[@antonyrice6981]

Number 7. If a driver in front drops someone off then someone else comes up to them and the driver says “no, go and see the driver behind” isn’t that classed as refusing a job? Which they’re not allowed to do

[@jaserobert2758]

thats the problem with unwritten rules, they're nonsense.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Technically your light won't have turned back to "for hire". It's no different if I'm dropping my last job, and I know I'm going home. If the driver asks for the destination then knocks it back, I guess that could be refusing a job.

[@antonyrice6981]

Ahh got you! Love the channel 👍

[@johnfox570]

Tom most of us are like you but remember there's always the odd bad apple

[@CallieMasters5000]

If your street name includes "...the Bastard", you must be a real legend. Have you got a nickname yet? Also, are cabs numbered so it's easy to spot a particular cab (other than the license plate)?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Tom the tit probably 🤣 Yes we have our identifiers, might make a video about those as it's a fun thing to spot out and about.

[@Willdu87]

Tom, I’ve always wondered about working times. Do tfl control how many cabs are working at a time? To ensure there are enough? Or is it up to you when you work? Also do you have any legal restrictions on driving hours like hgv drivers do?

[@mallorca6297]

Following: I’m curious too, I drive a taxi in Spain and here (palma de Mallorca) in the winter the council divides all the taxis: the lower numbers only do mornings (2am to 2pm) and the higher numbers do afternoons (2pm to 2 am) and every month we change over

[@jamesjohn4994]

@@mallorca6297to answer your question on behalf of Tom. No there is no restriction placed upon us about what time we arrive or leave work or how long we are allowed to work this is all up to the individual sole trader and license holder. 👍🏻

[@mallorca6297]

@@jamesjohn4994 cheers for answering! No one likes to be restricted by the council but in the winter months it’s better because there are less taxis in service so your hours are more productive and you can do things when your not allowed out. … cheers

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Technically the meter favours night work, so that's a built-in incentive by TfL to get us to work later hours. But other than that, it's all down to the drivers.

[@Willdu87]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver thanks Tom. Love the driving videos. Hope more are coming soon

[@jimmybaldwin737]

Great video Tom. Love your videos. Not sure about number 8 though. If you are driving around looking for work. And you get work on that street. Even though there are cabs on the rank. Then they are choosing to wait on the rank. While you are driving around looking for work. I think you should be able to take that job is someone does hale you down. Because your putting in the work looking so that should allow you. But I suppose if it keeps good rules and everyone works together then maybe it is the right thing.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Take for example Hilton Park Lane. There's quite a long rank there, and it's enclosed off the main road. If someone comes out the hotel and hails me, when there's taxis waiting opposite?

[@Markstaxidiaries]

Great vid! That was gonna be next episode 😂 time for a re edit

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Maybe we should collaborate again Mark ;)

[@Markstaxidiaries]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver love the sound of that! Let’s do it 😁

[@luisstransport]

Great video Tom

[@davidsmith3263]

Overranking? Excuse me, what’s that? Sounds like something else 😂

[@javiTests]

This is not related exactly with this topic but there is one thing about taxis I don't understand. Probably it doesn't apply to London because you have certain models of taxi to choose from and that's it, but in other cities there are taxis that are Dacia and others that cost 3 or 4 times more. If the tariffs are the same, the number of passengers is the same, the passenger can't choose which brand of taxi to get... why do they spend much more in a Lexus, Mercedes or whatever, instead of a cheap but comfortable one? If you have a private service for executives, I could understand that, where they go to your company and book from you because that's what you do. But for a normal taxi? I'm clueless 😅

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

You are spot on Javi. When I first got my badge, my intention was to buy an older TX2. If both are in good condition, a TX2 or TX4 are practically identical to the customer, and will earn the same money. One reason why you might want a newer vehicle is better reliability and warranty. Means less time off the road and less on expenses. But of course the vehicle is more.

[@javiTests]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver I'm glad to know it's not just me not seeing something obvious! 😂 Thank you! By the way, apparently Dacia is quite reliable 🤣

[@christycheray]

Would it be possible to request a ride in your cab?

[@cheweek-k4w]

Really not a fan of the "Give way to POB" rule. It goes against how everyone has learnt to drive/the actual rules of the road and could be unexpected and dangerous for other drivers on the road who are not expecting these types of movements.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

In slow moving London traffic. It’s no different to letting a car out of a side junction

[@osmanyare1469]

Great content just joined fellow cabbie my self

[@subressor1]

Would be interesting to see a comparison video where you just use the ranks for a shift vs driving around exclusively

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

I think I would go mad haha! I love driving around. I generally only join a rank if I can see it's moving, or to have a quick bite/drink.

[@Amb0ss]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver Out of interest, will some drivers mostly rank instead of driving around? I feel like I remember you mentioning in a previous video that some drivers spend loads of time at Heathrow, for example, rather than waiting for hails from the street.

[@johnhehir508]

As long as the taxi is on the rank .it's driver is plying for hire .so technically you can choose any taxi on the rank .it does not have to be the first

[@noahstrainadventures3031]

Great video thanks

[@henning8737]

What do you think about Uber in London?

[@keithcassidy1752]

Top job

[@AMGmachine]

Hi Tom, does it happen that someone takes a taxi to be driven from appointment to appointment throughout the day in the city? Everything on the meter? And is that a winning ticket for the driver? Or not so much?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

It does happen but might be for an hour, sometimes 2 hours. It is a winner because it's guaranteed work/no dead time. Especially if the job finished in central london 😊

[@HeavenlyTennyo]

Love to see another new upload! How’d you learn these cultural/moral rules? Looks like other drivers in the comment section haven’t? 🤣 I suppose karma and all that lol Also, wish I could support and buy yFood, but looks like the US isn’t an option. Lastly, I love your jacket! I’ve come to think of it as almost your uniform. Where is it from?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Hey Michelle, some stuff is told on the day you get your badge, others you pick-up over time, and others will a source of contention forever haha! Thanks, it is a Barracuta G9 or a "Harrington" jacket! Fans of the jacket included Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen and Daniel Craig. I think it deserves the accolade of the coolest jacket in the world!

[@brian.7966]

well done Tom.

[@Hdtjdjbszh]

is there a taxi driver union?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Yes multiple; LTDA, LCDC, UCG, Unite and others

[@Hdtjdjbszh]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver it seems like these sorta conventions come from a natural unionistic feeling of comradery and respect for all other taxi drivers, something that a lot of other road based work seems to lack. I am thinking delivery drivers, private hire, that sorta thing, they don't have this level of respect and convention

[@mfurmyr]

According to Taxi Point, Bolt will start recruiting Black Cab drivers. What do you think about that?

[@M0LHA]

lol. Black cab driver giving a zen drive. In my experience it's racism, "sorry mate not going that side of the river", Uber have ruined everything and finally fuck it I'm retiring. You're the exception Tom. I *never* use black cabs because of their entitlement

[@yeomancam8746]

This driver etiquette is why I use black cabs when in London. Don't lose it guys!

[@mcdunk9097]

that end bit was awkward tom. there's me doing the dishes watching till the end and I felt like it was a stand of who was going to stop looking 🙃

[@jamesg1906]

probably an obvious answer, but why do some cabs have advertising on the exterior? Are there any benefits to the driver?

[@kenwhite9218]

Get paid for having them

[@theDaveBaxter]

Why refuse jobs over 12 miles or 1 hour? Is it because the job would take you too far out the city?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Yep. For a few reasons I imagine. 1. That could add a lot of time to my journey home, if I'm nearing the end of my shift that could potentially add another 2 hours on top of my commute home. 2. The likelihood of getting another job 12 miles out of central London is incredibly slim, there's a lot of time associated with getting back to central. Sometimes it can be more profitable, other times it's better to be doing smaller jobs in town.