London has two kinds of licensed taxi service: black cabs and minicabs. They are both licensed by Transport for London (TfL), but they work in different ways, are priced differently and are booked differently. Knowing the difference helps you choose the right one, and avoid getting into a car that is not licensed at all.
The short version
| Black cab (taxi) | Minicab (private hire) | |
|---|---|---|
| How to get one | Hail in the street, find at a rank, or book | Must be pre-booked through a licensed operator |
| How the fare works | Meter, at rates set by TfL | Agreed or quoted when you book |
| Driver training | Must pass the Knowledge of London | Must hold a TfL private hire driver licence |
| Vehicles | Purpose-built, wheelchair accessible | Saloons, estates, MPVs and executive cars |
| Congestion Charge | Exempt | Pays, except wheelchair-accessible vehicles on a booking |
Black cabs
Black cabs, officially licensed taxis or hackney carriages, are the only vehicles in London that can pick up passengers who hail them in the street or queue at a taxi rank. Every driver has passed the Knowledge of London, a detailed test of London’s streets and routes that typically takes several years to complete. All London taxis are wheelchair accessible.
Fares are worked out by the meter, at tariffs set by TfL, with higher rates in the evenings, at night and on public holidays. So the final fare depends on the time of day, the route and the traffic.
Minicabs
Minicabs are private hire vehicles. The operator, the driver and the vehicle each need their own licence from TfL. The key rule is that a minicab must be booked in advance through a licensed private hire operator, by phone, online or through an app. A minicab driver cannot pick up passengers who flag them down in the street.
The price is agreed or quoted when you book, so you usually know the cost before you travel. Minicab operators offer a wider range of vehicles than black cabs, from standard saloons to estates, people carriers and executive cars, which suits airport runs, groups and business travel.
Which is better for your journey?
A black cab is usually the quicker option for a short, unplanned trip in central London, when you can see one with its light on. A minicab is often the better choice when:
- you are travelling to or from an airport
- you want to know the price before you set off
- you need a bigger car for luggage or a group
- you are travelling from outer London, where black cabs are harder to find
- you want the journey booked for a set time, such as an early flight
Never accept a lift from an unbooked minicab
A minicab driver who offers a ride without a booking, for example outside a station, club or bar late at night, is breaking the law. The journey is not recorded with an operator and the driver’s insurance is unlikely to cover you. TfL and the police have warned for years that unbooked minicabs are a safety risk, particularly for people travelling alone at night.
If there is no black cab available, book a minicab through a licensed operator and wait for it to arrive, even if a car offering a lift is right in front of you.
How to check your minicab is licensed
When your booked minicab arrives, check:
- The car matches your booking. Check the make, colour and number plate against the details the operator gave you.
- The TfL licence disc. Licensed London minicabs display a TfL private hire licence disc in the windscreen.
- The driver’s ID. Private hire drivers carry a TfL-issued photo ID badge. You are entitled to ask to see it.
- They know your name. Ask the driver who they are collecting, rather than saying your name first.
If anything does not match, do not get in. Call the operator to check.
Pre-booked minicabs with Abetta
Abetta is a TfL-licensed private hire operator with more than 50 years in London. Every journey is pre-booked, with a fixed fare quoted in advance and a choice of saloons, estates, MPVs and executive cars. Book online, through the Abetta app or by phone on 020 8445 1111, or see our London minicab services and vehicles. For more on choosing between operators, see our comparison of pre-booked minicabs and ride-hailing apps.
