New tests for NYC cabbies mean street smarts are no longer required
New Yorkers, beware: cab routes are about to get even more circuitous. Due to driver shortages and higher exam failure rates, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission has revised its exam to include fewer questions that require local knowledge, making getting the green light to drive a yellow cab easier than ever.
The cab license test's 80 questions used to hinge on local geography, but now most of those questions are a figment of the past. Now, there are 10 remaining geographic questions, all of which focus on navigating around the city with a map. Allan Fromberg, a spokesman for the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, told The New York Times that the test was revised because times are changing — and even cab drivers can rely on GPS.
Perhaps the change also reflects the growing need to compete with car services like Uber and Lyft, which require neither licenses nor specialized knowledge. In recent months, UberX has slashed prices, crumbling the yellow cab monopoly.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Since the exam's revision, pass rates have risen 20 percent, according to The Times — so make sure you tell your cabbie your preferred route, otherwise he could end up Googling it.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 5, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - mark your calendars, a relief, and more
By The Week US Published
-
'Wolf Hall: the Mirror and the Light' season two – still a "crown jewel"
The Week Recommends Damian Lewis and Mark Rylance star in this 'superlative' Tudor drama on BBC One
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Election Day. Finally.'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published