Former Aberdeen taxi driver Scott Allan has been granted special permission by the city’s licensing committee to return to the trade without retaking the Street Knowledge Test — a move that has sparked renewed debate over whether the exam remains fit for purpose.
Mr. Allan, who worked as a cab driver for three years before leaving the trade during the pandemic, applied to rejoin the city’s fleet but faced the requirement to resit the knowledge test after surrendering his badge. Normally, this rule applies to all drivers returning after a break from the profession.
Appearing before Aberdeen City Council’s licensing committee on Wednesday, 8 October, Mr. Allan argued that his long familiarity with the city’s roads made the test unnecessary. He first passed the exam in 2016.
“I’m Aberdonian, I’ve been driving here for 35 years,” he told councillors. “I’m really familiar with everywhere and streets in Aberdeen. I don’t think I’ll have any issues getting straight back into it, knowing places, streets, routes — not a problem.”
Councillors accepted his reasoning, agreeing to exempt him from retaking the test.
Debate over the Street Knowledge Test
The Street Knowledge Test has long been a point of contention among Aberdeen drivers and industry figures. Critics argue that it is an outdated barrier preventing new drivers from joining the trade — particularly as modern taxi drivers increasingly rely on GPS technology.
Uber has been one of the most vocal opponents of the test, describing it as a contributing factor to driver shortages during peak times. The council made changes to the test in late 2024, reducing the number of questions from 80 to 44 in an effort to modernise the process.
However, many local drivers still view the test as an important measure to ensure quality and safety, particularly when it comes to knowledge of the city’s expanding areas such as Bridge of Don and Cove.
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