Why are black cabs allowed in bus lanes?

London's famous black cabs benefit from being allowed to use special road lanes set aside for buses, which increase their ability to quickly maneuver through the city. Private taxi companies, such as Uber, have always been banned from using these lanes.



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Taxi drivers are within their rights to refuse a fair – but only if they have a “reasonable excuse” or the passenger wants to travel outside of the controlled district.

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What is a Bus Lane? It is a travel lane restricted to buses only during certain hours of the day. During this time, other vehicles may enter a bus lane only to make the next available right turn, or to quickly drop off or pick up passengers. Violating bus lane rules results in a $50 – $250 fine.

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Buses reduce traffic and air pollution because they are more space and fuel efficient. Bus lanes keep buses from getting stuck in traffic, making bus travel fast and more reliable.

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It is a travel lane restricted to buses only during certain hours of the day. During this time, other vehicles may enter a bus lane only to make the next available right turn, or to quickly drop off or pick up passengers. Violating bus lane rules results in a $50 – $250 fine.

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The rule derives its name from the tradition by which a hackney carriage driver at the head of a queue of taxicabs is obliged to take the first passenger requesting a ride.

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To be a London black cab driver, is one expected to know over 25,000 roads and 50,000 points of interest and pass a test called The Knowledge? Black refers to the color of the vehicle. No, that is not correct. You do have to pass “The Knowledge” but your figures are way off.

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So when it comes to electric cars and bus lanes, the answer is no – electric cars can't generally use bus lanes. But you can always check your local council to see if trials are taking place in your area. If you're an EV driver, it's best to avoid driving in bus lanes as it's unlikely you are permitted to be there.

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While on a trip, you may get a request for another ride. If you accept, the details will be added to your queue. Once you complete your current trip, the app will navigate you to that next trip location.

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The number of new applications for black cab licences has dropped by almost 95% in a decade, from 3,484 in 2011-12 to just 221 in 2021. As a result, London Taxi PR, a group which promotes the historic industry, has launched the largest ever campaign to promote the Knowledge, and encourage new drivers.

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The Knowledge was introduced as a requirement for taxi drivers in 1865. Mastering the Knowledge typically takes students three to four years; it's a challenge, but plenty of help and support is available if you are determined. As a taxi driver, you can choose when and where you work and how much you earn.

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Ridership is solid, and the number of drivers has declined in recent years. Before the pandemic, there were about 22,500 drivers of London's iconic black cabs, though at last count in March, their ranks had shrunk by about 3,000.

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Between 1 November 2021 and 31 October 2022, vehicles that are older than 12 years will be ineligible for licensing. Transport for London's (TfL) latest figures, from 31 August 2021, show that 1,228 vehicles will be over 12 years of age and will not be eligible for licensing from 1 November 2021.

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When you see a solid white line, this is used to outline the edge of the bus lane – you should never cross this whilst it is in operation. Now when you see the dashed white lines, this is used to display the beginning and end of the lanes, whilst also pointing out where vehicles can cross into it.

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