Why Is Topographical Training Essential For Pco Car Licence In London?

By Author: James Aaron
Total Articles: 11
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Imagine Sherlock Holmes coming out of the folds of the literary classics in modern-day London, hopping on a Black Cab in pursuit of some of Moriarty's henchmen. Will his 19th-century “knowledge of London” help him catch the perpetrator? No.

London has changed. A lot since the 19th century. The Knowledge of London, or simply, Knowledge, was introduced in the mid-1860s. It was normal for taxi drivers to know streets, alleys and routes, especially within the six-mile radius of Charing Cross, like the back of their hands. But now there is a growing need for the modernisation of Knowledge, and your knowledge of the Blue Book “runs” to include more routes that even the GPS cannot track.

A big part of the Topographical Training Essential for PCO Car Licence in London is to make the taxi driver a wayfinder for their passengers. The test that follows the training is often hard to crack due to the disparity of the inclusions in the Knowledge, and the new introduction of buildings and monuments, hospitals, nightclubs and shopping centres that goes amiss. Drivers often spend up to 4 years to crack the exam. And of ...
... course, the training and the test, both cost fees. For this very reason, over 70% of applicants cannot get through.

A London-based firm, that provides PCO Driver Licence East London, is the only centre in the city that offers you a “fast-track service” to get all your needs in one place. This centre gives you a topographic training package, along with assistance for the complete PCO application process. With resources like these, things can get easier, cheaper and more cohesive to get by.

How the PCO Topographical Training Works for Modern Taxi Drivers

The topographical training is much like the modern knowledge that, unlike the Blue Book runs, doesn’t require one to “memorise” routes but to interpret maps. It takes applicants to have a basic knowledge of London’s geography. A big part of the training is to make drivers more independent to ride “between-fares” since the majority of taxi operations, aided by Uber, Bolt Freenow and the like, heavily rely on satnavs.

• While having a basic knowledge of London’s geography, drivers must now learn and memorise important road networks, popular landmarks, and intermediate routes to destinations more adeptly.

• Once the driver acquires adequate topographical knowledge about central London and busy streets, they must extend their knowledge about outskirt locations and prepare for long-distance travel.

• Gain the self-assurance to choose various routes to get to places in London as well as long-distance routes that go through the city's outskirts.

• Practice navigation skills while driving and the skills to read different types of maps of the city.

TFL has set a 70% pass mark for the topographical test as of right now. This implies that to pass the test, you must properly answer at least 42 of the 60 questions. There are only seven TFL-approved test centres in London where the test is administered, so you must make an appointment in advance.

What to Expect As A First Time Applicant

There is nothing to worry about with this training, as it takes just about 30-40 minutes before the 120mins test to get prepared. However, if you are new to London or have very low topographical skills, you may take additional courses, or watch tutorial videos before applying.

You need to get in touch with an approved training provider. TfL provides a list of approved topographic training providers. You must choose one of these providers to complete your training. They offer courses that cover the topography of London and may include both classroom-based and practical components.

After completing the training, you will typically be required to pass a topographical assessment. This assessment may include written exams and practical assessments to ensure you understand London's geography well and can navigate the city efficiently.

Get A Training and Licensing Package To Have An All-Encompassing Solution

If you are looking for some kind of guide or assistant to make the right moves during your PCO car licence application, topographical test, or any other concern, consider getting PCO Licence Packages, where you can get the help of experts to complete your topographical training and test and have your application correctly filled in by them. The package covers everything needed to get a badge from start to finish, which costs some money but saves you a lot of time.

Author Bio:

This article section will provide you with important industry insights and, most importantly, important facts regarding PCO licencing. Whether you are looking to obtain a TfL badge and PCO car licence in London, are operating your own fleet of cars, or wish to work as an independent taxi driver, get your know-how from the experts.