Introduction to London’s Youngest Black-Cab Driver
“I’ve got T-shirts older than you!” The joke elicits laughter from a group of black-cab drivers gathered at the Astral cafe on Regency Place in Westminster. Around the table, these seasoned cabbies share stories accumulated over decades behind the wheel: from transporting World Cup hero Geoff Hurst to ferrying senior politicians around London, and navigating the city long before smartphones and satnavs became commonplace.
At just 21 years old, Bahrain Mujagata stands out among them. In late 2025, he became London’s youngest licensed black-cab driver after completing the Knowledge – the notoriously demanding test of the capital’s streets – in two years and five months. Most candidates take between three and four years to qualify, according to Transport for London.
Public Reaction and Unique Status
Outside Charing Cross station, a security guard notices Mujagata and immediately takes out his phone.
“I’ve never ever seen a cabby this young,”he says, laughing as he takes a picture.
“My family won’t believe this.”
Mujagata has grown accustomed to such reactions. Customers have given him flowers, chocolates, tips, and even Formula One tickets upon learning his age. Sometimes, people flag him down just to say hello.
“Very many customers have noticed me before,”he says.
“They don’t even take the cab. They’ll just stop me and go: ‘I know who you are.’ And I’ll be disappointed and happy at the same time because I thought I got a job.”
This attention highlights how unusual his choice is. According to Transport for London, the number of licensed black-cab drivers has declined over the past decade. Most drivers are older. Yet for Mujagata, becoming a cabby never felt out of place: his father and brother both drive black cabs.
Family Influence and Flexibility
Growing up, Mujagata observed his mother having to request permission for annual leave, while his father largely controlled his own schedule.
“The flexibility was the biggest thing for me,”he explains.
Mujagata studies computer science at university in London and also takes acting classes. Most afternoons, after finishing lectures, he begins driving at about 4pm and works into the night before returning for 9am classes the next day.
Even if acting or technology do not become his long-term career, he says the Knowledge ensures he will always have a profession to rely on.
“I am always going to have my badge,”he states.
“I could not work for two years and still come back and work in the third.”
The Knowledge: A Demanding Qualification
To qualify as a black-cab driver, candidates must learn London’s network of approximately 25,000 streets along with thousands of landmarks, stations, hotels, theatres, hospitals, and public buildings. They are tested through a series of oral examinations where examiners ask for the shortest legal route between any two points in the city, considering one-way systems, restrictions, and banned turns.
Mujagata achieved this while studying for A-levels, applying to university, and adjusting to life in Britain after moving from Uganda four years ago.
A large map of London covered one wall of his bedroom. He would wake at 4am to practice routes on a moped before traffic increased, revise during college breaks, and sometimes wake in the middle of the night to study.
“I didn’t sleep properly for two or three years,”he recalls.
Challenges Faced During Training
Learning London street by street involved some difficult lessons. Mujagata received parking and traffic fines after accidentally ending up in wrong lanes, as he focused more on memorizing routes than on driving them.
“Being on the road with a moped is very draining,”he says.
“During the winter, it’s very taxing.”
The oral examinations were even more daunting. Candidates sit face to face with an examiner who can ask about any route in London.
“The exam was very scary,”he admits.
One advantage Mujagata had was a Knowledge teacher at home.
“The easiest part of the process was that other people had to travel to different houses for a Knowledge teacher, but I had one in my own house.”
His father guided him through the process, while the rest of the family adjusted their schedules to support him. Nowadays, father and son often work similar shifts, exchanging information about where passengers are waiting as they pass each other on London’s roads.
Outlook on the Future of Black Cabs
Despite concerns about the future of the industry, Mujagata remains optimistic. Government plans to introduce autonomous vehicles have raised questions about the survival of traditional cabbies. Companies such as Wayve, Waymo, and Baidu aim to launch autonomous taxi services in the coming years.
Mujagata is unconvinced by these developments.
“You can replace a human, but not the humanity within them,”he says.
“The conversations you have – sometimes people just want to talk to someone.”
More than anything, he views black cabs as an integral part of London’s cultural fabric.
“You’ve got the yellow cab in New York and the black cab in London,”he notes.
“Maybe it’s not going to be as profitable as it was, I can agree with that. But I definitely don’t think it’s going to die off just like that.”
Continuing the Tradition
At the Astral cafe, the stories continue. Older drivers share tales from a profession many outsiders believe is fading. Mujagata listens attentively, occasionally contributing.
In an industry concerned about who will replace its aging workforce, London’s youngest cabby has already provided one answer.
