Sky News Australia host Piers Morgan has launched a campaign to "save the black cab" as the renowned London hackney fights for existence amid reports its world-famous "Knowledge" test could face the scrap.

The Knowledge is the test that drivers of London black taxis must pass in order to demonstrate they have personal knowledge of the city's 25,000 streets and every business and landmark on them.

The test was introduced as a requirement for taxi drivers in 1865 and typically takes students up to four years to master.

It is considered one of the most difficult examinations in the world.

It now faces calls to be scrapped amid reports to bring the London cab into the modern age of GPS as ride-sharing services like Uber miss out on road benefits the black hackney enjoys.

Mr Morgan said these drivers are the "finest and best qualified cab drivers on the entire planet" and that any calls to scrap the test is nonsense and must be "thwarted".

"Black cab drivers don't need satellites because they've got the Knowledge.

"In exchange for that knowledge, they get special privileges – like being able to use bus lanes and pick customers up at the road sign".

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