Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers
Encyclopedia
The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers is one of the 108 Livery Companies
of the City of London
. Its members are professional hackney carriage
drivers, including London black taxicab drivers
who have learnt the knowledge of London.
The Fellowship of Hackney Carriage Drivers was recognised by the City of London Corporation in 1990 and was granted livery in February 2004, becoming the Worshipful Company. The process started with an instruction from Oliver Cromwell
to the City's Court of Aldermen
in 1654 on regulating drivers. Legislation created the Fellowship of Master Hackney Coachmen, the first such society for taxi drivers.
The Company's charity supports any deserving members and their immediate family. It has run an annual taxi tour to Disneyland Paris for children with life threatening illnesses each year since 1994. Its education programme teaches taxi drivers about the history of London
and it seeks to promote public awareness about the high standards of the hackney carriage trade. The Company also part-takes in the annual Lord Mayor's Show
.
The Hackney Carriage Drivers' Company ranks 104th in the order of precedence
for the Livery Companies.
Livery Company
The Livery Companies are 108 trade associations in the City of London, almost all of which are known as the "Worshipful Company of" the relevant trade, craft or profession. The medieval Companies originally developed as guilds and were responsible for the regulation of their trades, controlling,...
of the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
. Its members are professional hackney carriage
Hackney carriage
A hackney or hackney carriage is a carriage or automobile for hire...
drivers, including London black taxicab drivers
Taxicabs of the United Kingdom
Taxicabs are regulated throughout the United Kingdom, but the regulation of taxicabs in London is especially rigorous both with regard to mechanical integrity and driver knowledge. An official report observed that: "Little however is known about the regulation by anyone outside the trade...
who have learnt the knowledge of London.
The Fellowship of Hackney Carriage Drivers was recognised by the City of London Corporation in 1990 and was granted livery in February 2004, becoming the Worshipful Company. The process started with an instruction from Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
to the City's Court of Aldermen
Court of Aldermen
The Court of Aldermen is an elected body forming part of the City of London Corporation. The Court of Aldermen is made up of the twenty five Aldermen of the City of London, presided over by the Lord Mayor...
in 1654 on regulating drivers. Legislation created the Fellowship of Master Hackney Coachmen, the first such society for taxi drivers.
The Company's charity supports any deserving members and their immediate family. It has run an annual taxi tour to Disneyland Paris for children with life threatening illnesses each year since 1994. Its education programme teaches taxi drivers about the history of London
History of London
London, the capital of the United Kingdom , has a recorded history that goes back over 2,000 years. During this time, it has grown to become one of the most significant financial and cultural capitals of the world. It has experienced plague, devastating fire, civil war, aerial bombardment and...
and it seeks to promote public awareness about the high standards of the hackney carriage trade. The Company also part-takes in the annual Lord Mayor's Show
Lord Mayor's Show
The Lord Mayor's Show is one of the longest established and best known annual events in London which dates back to 1535. The Lord Mayor in question is that of the City of London, the historic centre of London that is now the metropolis's financial district, informally known as the Square Mile...
.
The Hackney Carriage Drivers' Company ranks 104th in the order of precedence
Order of precedence
An order of precedence is a sequential hierarchy of nominal importance of items. Most often it is used in the context of people by many organizations and governments...
for the Livery Companies.