How to apply for the Knowledge
You apply to Transport for London for a taxi driver licence, and the Knowledge is part of that licence. Here's who can apply, what it costs and what happens next.
Can I apply?
According to TfL, you need to:
- be at least 18 when you apply (you can't be licensed until you're 21, and there's no upper age limit)
- have the right to live and work in the UK
- hold a full driving licence from the DVLA, Northern Ireland or another EEA state
- pass an enhanced DBS check and join the DBS Update Service before you're licensed
- be medically fit to the DVLA's Group 2 standard, which usually means a medical with your GP
If you have a condition such as dyslexia, contact TfL's Knowledge department about reasonable adjustments.
Green badge or yellow badge?
The All London licence (green badge) lets you work anywhere in London and is what most people mean by "the Knowledge". The Suburban licence (yellow badge) covers one of nine outer-London sectors, with a smaller area to learn but restrictions on where you can pick up. KnowLDN focuses on the All London Knowledge.
How to apply
- Register online with TfLStart your application on TfL's taxi driver licence page, or email TfL to ask for a paper pack.
- ChecksComplete your enhanced DBS check and your medical.
- Receive your introductory packOnce the checks are satisfactory, TfL sends your Knowledge pack, including the Blue Book of 320 runs. Your two years to sit the written exam start from here.
- Start learningMany students start learning their first runs while the paperwork goes through. List 1 of the Blue Book in KnowLDN is a good place to begin.
TfL fees
These are TfL's published fees. They're paid at different stages, not all at once.
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Enhanced DBS check (including ID check) | £56.42 |
| DBS Update Service (per year) | £15 |
| Licence application (non-refundable) | £138 |
| Knowledge written examination | £225 |
| Knowledge appearances (one-off) | £425 |
| Medical assessment (paid to your GP, approx.) | £80 |
| Taxi driving test (normal hours) | £92.94 |
| Post Office Check and Send | £7.15 |
| Grant of licence | £205 |
| Approximate total | £1,245 |
Source: TfL, checked October 2026. Fees change, so always check TfL's current fees before you apply. Study costs such as a scooter, fuel, maps or a Knowledge school are extra.
Studying with KnowLDN
| Plan | Cost |
|---|---|
| KnowLDN account: all 320 Blue Book runs with maps and answers, plus the 3D preview, Drive it and call-over grading on Book 1 | Free |
| KnowLDN Pro: the 3D preview, Drive it and call-over grading on all four books | Free during the beta |
KnowLDN is optional and separate from TfL; its cost isn't in the total above.
What happens next?
From there it's runs, points, the written exam and then appearances. Our step-by-step guide covers each stage, and the points page explains how TfL's official points list works.
KnowLDN is independent and not part of TfL. We can't process applications or answer questions about yours. Contact TfL directly for anything about your licence.
Get a head start
Practise your first runs while your application goes through.