THE KNOWLEDGE SUBSIDY
What does the subsidy cover?
It’ll cover 100% of the following costs:
- Application costs
- Tuition fees
- Exam costs
- Licensing costs
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How to apply
Tap below to fill out the subsidy application form.
We’ll review your application
- We’ll send you an email to let you know if you meet the requirements and info on the next steps
Who can apply?
You must be registered as a PHV Driver on the FREENOW app.
You must have completed at least 50 trips in the last 12 months before you apply.
You must have a driver rating of 4.6 or above at the time of your application.
How to keep your subsidy
You need to complete at least 30 trips per month via the FREENOW app (including your first month).
You need to be an active student at the Knowledge school
More earningsHigher fares and premium corporate jobs
On-cab advertisingAdditional incentives for advertising FREENOW on your cab
Learn more
- More earnings
Higher fares and premium corporate jobs
- On-cab advertising
Additional incentives for advertising FREENOW on your cab
Learn more
Other benefits
- Use of bus lanes
Get from A to B easier & quicker
More choiceOption of street hailing passengers & taxi ranks
More freedomWith more choice you get more freedom & a better work-life balance
Iconic tradeBe a part of an iconic trade with a strong union & community
- Use of bus lanes
Get from A to B easier & quicker
- More choice
Option of street hailing passengers & taxi ranks
- More freedom
With more choice you get more freedom & a better work-life balance
- Iconic trade
Be a part of an iconic trade with a strong union & community
What other support will you get?
We’ve been working closely with one of the leading Knowledge schools; WizAnn. Thanks to this collaboration we’ll be hosting regular sessions to make sure you always get the support and info you need.
Our partners
Wizann
The WizAnn school started in 1996. Since then, it’s led the way in making the Knowledge more accessible and advanced by introducing state-of-the-art app and online class systems. WizAnn was the first to introduce a specific software to help study maps.
With WizAnn, you get:
- Access to all WizAnn digital products. This includes:
- A Gold Plan subscription to the website with all online videos
- WizRuns app: This gives access to all the books written for the app
- WizPoints: Daily questions live in the app with the most up-to-date & accurate info that are being asked currently by examiners
- WizAnn Team support.
…And more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I apply if I'm not a FREENOW driver?
No, you have to be an active FREENOW driver to apply for the subsidy
What does the subsidy cover?
FREENOW will subsidise up to 24 months of access to your Knowledge school. This may be extended at FREENOW’s sole discretion. FREENOW shall pay the fees directly to the Knowledge school.
For the first month and each subsequent month (provided you have satisfied the Eligibility Criteria in the prior month) FREENOW will arrange for you to be able to access the resources at your Knowledge school.
FREENOW will also reimburse you for the fees of each of the following:
One DBS Disclosure application
One medical assessment
One Knowledge of London (all London) written examination
One Knowledge of London appearance
One TfL taxi driver licence application
One TfL Grant of Licence.
Am I eligible to apply?
To apply for the subsidy program you must meet all of the following criteria (the ‘Application Criteria’):
You must be registered as a PHV driver on the FREENOW app
You must have completed at least 50 trips in the 12 months prior to your application
You must have an average driver rating of 4.6 at the time of application
Once your application has been approved, you’ll be eligible for the first month's subsidy.
We reserve the right to amend the Application Criteria at any time.
What is the criteria I need to meet each month?
Following your acceptance onto the subsidy program, you must meet all of the ‘Eligibility Criteria’ each month in order to continue to get the subsidy the following month:
The Eligibility Criteria:
You must be registered as a PHV Driver on the FREENOW app
You must complete at least 30 trips a month
Once you have been enrolled at the Knowledge school, you must access and actively engage with the training materials each month
We reserve the right to amend the Eligibility Criteria at any time. We will provide you with 30 days prior written notification of any such change
What if I don't meet the eligibility criteria for a month?
If you fail to meet the Eligibility Criteria in a given month, your access to the Knowledge school resources will be removed the following month. You will not be eligible to apply for reimbursement for the tests or licensing fees for that month. Access will be reinstated once you have satisfied the Eligibility Criteria for a further month.
How do the subsidy payments work?
Paying tuition fees: FREENOW will pay your chosen school directly each month for which you are eligible. We’ll confirm with them that you are still actively studying with them.
Paying application, licensing & test fees:
In order to be reimbursed for the fees listed above you must:
Submit the fee invoice or receipt to FREENOW within 30 days of payment by emailing at ukops@free-now.com.
Have satisfied the Eligibility Criteria in the month before the payment was made.
We’ll review the receipt within 7 working days and pay you in the next payment run
How and when will I receive payments for application, licensing & tests cost?
You’ll need to submit your payment proof to get reimbursed. Once the proof has been validated you’ll receive your payment in the next payment run with your regular weekly FREENOW payments, directly into your bank account.
Can I work both as a PHV and a black cab driver with FREENOW?
No, you need to register under 1 category with FREENOW.
Am I eligible to apply for the subsidy if I have already started the Knowledge?
Yes. However, we’ll only cover the costs incurred AFTER you’re successfully enrolled in the subsidy program and for the months you maintain your eligibility criteria
What happens once I pass the knowledge?
You can apply to change your fleet type. Send an email to our Driver Support Team at ukops@free-now.com with the proof of your Knowledge certificate and they’ll guide you through the next steps of switching your fleet type in our system
Other terms & conditions
Maximum liability
- FREENOW’s maximum aggregate liability to you (howsoever arising) shall not exceed 100% of the fees specified in 3.4 above.
- Nothing in this agreement will limit or exclude FREENOW’s liability (or the other party’s remedies) for: (a) death or personal injury arising from its negligence; (b) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or (c) any other liability to the extent that such liability may not be excluded or limited as a matter of applicable law.
Duration
- FREENOW reserves the right to close the subsidy program to new applicants at any time. Existing members of the program will be given 30 days notice of closure of the program.
Applicable law
- These Terms are governed by English law and any legal proceedings in relation to them should be issued in the English courts.
Can I apply if I'm not a FREENOW driver?
No, you have to be an active FREENOW driver to apply for the subsidy
What does the subsidy cover?
FREENOW will subsidise up to 24 months of access to your selected Knowledge school. This may be extended at FREENOW’s sole discretion. FREENOW shall pay the fees directly to the Knowledge school.
For the first month and each subsequent month (provided you have satisfied the Eligibility Criteria in the prior month) FREENOW will arrange for you to be able to access the resources at your selected Knowledge school.
FREENOW will also reimburse you for the fees of each of the following:
One DBS Disclosure application
One medical assessment
One Knowledge of London (all London) written examination
One Knowledge of London appearance
One TfL taxi driver licence application
One TfL Grant of Licence.
Am I eligible to apply?
To apply for the subsidy program you must meet all of the following criteria (the ‘Application Criteria’):
You must be registered as a PHV driver on the FREENOW app
You must have completed at least 100 trips in the 12 months prior to your application
You must have an average driver rating of 4.6 at the time of application
Once your application has been approved, you’ll be eligible for the first month's subsidy.
We reserve the right to amend the Application Criteria at any time.
What is the criteria I need to meet each month?
Following your acceptance onto the subsidy program, you must meet all of the ‘Eligibility Criteria’ each month in order to continue to get the subsidy the following month:
The Eligibility Criteria:
You must be registered as a PHV Driver on the FREENOW app
You must complete at least 90 trips a month
Your cancellation rate can’t be less than than 8% for the month
Once you have been enrolled at your preferred Knowledge school (selected from our partner Knowledge schools), you must access and actively engage with the training materials each month
We reserve the right to amend the Eligibility Criteria at any time. We will provide you with 30 days prior written notification of any such change.
What if I don't meet the eligibility criteria for a month?
If you fail to meet the Eligibility Criteria in a given month, your access to the Knowledge school resources will be removed the following month. You will not be eligible to apply for reimbursement for the tests or licensing fees for that month. Access will be reinstated once you have satisfied the Eligibility Criteria for a further month.
How do the subsidy payments work?
Paying tuition fees: FREENOW will pay your chosen school directly each month for which you are eligible. We’ll confirm with them that you are still actively studying with them.
Paying application, licensing & test fees:
In order to be reimbursed for the fees listed above you must:
Submit the fee invoice or receipt to FREENOW within 30 days of payment by emailing at ukops@free-now.com.
Have satisfied the Eligibility Criteria in the month before the payment was made.
We’ll review the receipt within 7 working days and pay you in the next payment run
How and when will I receive payments for application, licensing & tests cost?
You’ll need to submit your payment proof to get reimbursed. Once the proof has been validated you’ll receive your payment in the next payment run with your regular weekly FREENOW payments, directly into your bank account
Can I work both as a PHV and a black cab driver with FREENOW?
No, you need to register under 1 category with FREENOW.
Am I eligible to apply for the subsidy if I have already started the Knowledge?
Yes. However, we’ll only cover the costs incurred AFTER you’re successfully enrolled in the subsidy program and for the months you maintain your eligibility criteria.
What happens once I pass the knowledge?
You can apply to change your fleet type. Send an email to our Driver Support Team at ukops@free-now.com with the proof of your Knowledge certificate and they’ll guide you through the next steps of switching your fleet type in our system
Other terms & conditions
Maximum liability
FREENOW’s maximum aggregate liability to you (howsoever arising) shall not exceed 100% of the fees specified in 3.4 above.
Nothing in this agreement will limit or exclude FREENOW’s liability (or the other party’s remedies) for: (a) death or personal injury arising from its negligence; (b) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or (c) any other liability to the extent that such liability may not be excluded or limited as a matter of applicable law.
Duration
FREENOW reserves the right to close the subsidy program to new applicants at any time. Existing members of the program will be given 30 days notice of closure of the program.
Applicable law
These Terms are governed by English law and any legal proceedings in relation to them should be issued in the English courts.