"Mike Hughes" wrote in message
...

Let's deal with London first.

They must have an approved meter which is sealed by
the PCO. They have the right to 'ply for hire' (with a
lighted sign on the roof) either on
the street or at authorised taxi ranks.

i.e. *moving* on the street or parked at ranks. Taxis are not allowed to ply
for hire parked at a random spot, even if there are no parking restrictions
at that spot. I can't think why. It seems bizarre that a taxi driver can
park outside the cinema for 2 hours and watch the film, but if he rushes out
the second the film is over and puts his light on, and waits while the crowd
emerges from the cinema, he can be busted.

The driver must have been police (now CRB) checked,
medically fit, of good character and have passed the
'knowledge' of London which takes on average 3 years.[1]

As you know, Mike, you are describing the "Green Badge" knowledge which
gives the right to ply for hire anywhere in Greater London, including
Heathrow. Outer London (excluding Heathrow) is also divided into 9 "Yellow
Badge" knowledge sectors which each give the right to ply for hire in a few
boroughs. The Yellow Badge knowledge takes considerably less time to
complete than the Green Badge. Although Green Badge drivers are allowed to
sit at Outer London ranks, they rarely do, because it is more lucrative to
head back into the centre.

--
John Rowland - Spamtrapped
Transport Plans for the London Area, updated 2001
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acro...69/tpftla.html
A man's vehicle is a symbol of his manhood.
That's why my vehicle's the Piccadilly Line -
It's the size of a county and it comes every two and a half minutes