Q 01/05

What device, first invented in the late 19th century, calculates taxi fares based on distance and time?

A) Odometer

B) Chronometer

C) Speedometer

D) Taximeter

Answer · why

D) Taximeter

The modern taximeter, which calculates fares based on distance traveled and waiting time, was invented by Wilhelm Bruhn in 1891, standardizing fare ca...

Q 02/05

In which city did gasoline-powered taxis begin operating in 1899?

A) London

B) New York City

C) Paris

D) Berlin

Answer · why

C) Paris

Gasoline-powered taxicabs began operating in Paris in 1899, followed by London in 1903, and New York in 1907.

Q 03/05

One etymology traces the 'hackney' cab to the French 'haquenée', which meant what?

A) A type of coach

B) A horse for hire

C) A licensing official

D) A specific street

Answer · why

B) A horse for hire

The origin is disputed: many attribute the word to the London borough of Hackney, while others favour the French haquenée, an easy-riding horse that w...

Q 04/05

In what year did New York City order every licensed taxi painted yellow?

A) 1937

B) 1954

C) 1967

D) 1971

Answer · why

C) 1967

In 1967 New York ordered every licensed cab painted yellow so official taxis could be told at a glance from unlicensed 'gypsy' cabs.

Q 05/05

Who played Travis Bickle, the 'You talkin' to me?' cabbie of Martin Scorsese's 1976 Taxi Driver?

A) Al Pacino

B) Robert De Niro

C) Dustin Hoffman

D) Jack Nicholson

Answer · why

B) Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro improvised the mirror scene's 'You talkin' to me?'; the script only said that Travis talks to himself in the mirror.