Transport for London's (TfL's) Public Carriage Office is to license London's youngest taxi driver on 1 April 2008, a day after he turns 21.

I think it is a rewarding career which allows you to meet people from all walks of life

Casey MacLaren completed and passed the Knowledge in July 2007 at the age of 20, but is not legally allowed to be licensed as a taxi driver until he turns 21 on 31 March 2008.

He will be presented with his All-London 'green badge' the following day, allowing him to work throughout Greater London.

On average, it takes three to four years to be licensed as an All-London taxi driver but Casey completed his studies in just over two years.

Casey decided to take up taxi driving as a career because of its flexibility which will allow him to continue to pursue his football career.

Taking the wheel

His father is also an All-London taxi driver while his mother holds a Suburban taxi driver licence.  He lives in Putney.

Casey MacLaren said: "I have seen how my parents are their own bosses and are able to fit in other responsibilities around working as taxi drivers - it works really well.

"I think it is also a rewarding career which allows you to meet people from all walks of life, and I am looking forward to taking the wheel."

TfL's Director of Taxi and Private Hire, Ed Thompson, said: "As well as Casey, a young woman of 22 has recently been licensed.

Rewarding career

"It gives us so much pleasure to see young people choosing taxi driving as a career.

"We hope they have a long career ahead of them."

Casey currently plays football for Hendon FC and from time to time gets back on his Moped to keep his knowledge of London up-to-date.

He is planning on getting his own Tx4 taxi after a few months of renting one and says it will definitely be black.


Notes to editors:

  • Interviews with Casey can be arranged through the Press Office. Images are available on request
  • The second youngest taxi driver is 22-year-old Natalia Shalom. She was licensed in July 2007 and holds an All-London badge
  • The Public Carriage Office is part of TfL, and is charged with the responsibility of licensing taxi and private hire services in London
  • There are approximately 25,000 licensed taxi drivers in the Greater London area
  • To become a licensed taxi driver in the Capital, candidates must pass 'the Knowledge' proving knowledge of roads and places of interest in London
  • As an All-London driver, one must have a detailed knowledge of London within a six mile radius of Charing Cross. There are 320 runs which one needs to know as well as places of interest and important landmarks on the routes. With a Suburban license, a driver can only ply for hire within a specific area which is divided based on borough boundaries