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Transport for London

Taxis and minicabs

Only licensed taxis (black cabs) can pick up passengers on the street. Any minicab driver who picks up customers without a booking is acting illegally. This includes minicabs lined up outside pubs and clubs.

Download our free Cabwise app to book your nearest minicab or taxi (black cab) in three easy steps. Search 'Cabwise' in your app store.

Find out more about downloading our taxi and minicab apps.

Taxis

Light on top of taxi

Taxis (black cabs) have a light on the front displaying the word 'TAXI'.

Taxi fares are displayed on the taxi meter and paid at the end of the journey. Taxi sharing schemes also help passengers going to the same place.

If it's not booked, it's just a stranger's car. Download our free cab booking app to book a minicab in three easy steps.

Minicabs

Minicab driver's licence

After a night out it's tempting to jump in the first 'minicab' you see, but without a booking there’s no record of your journey or driver, and you could be putting yourself in danger. Follow these steps for the safest way to get a minicab.

What is a booked minicab?

  • It is one that you or a friend has booked
  • It guarantees that your trip will be carried out by a licensed, insured driver in a licensed, insured vehicle
  • It also means that a record is kept of your journey, your driver and the vehicle used so, in the event of any problems the driver can be traced

You can also use our Cabwise service below to get phone numbers for licensed minicab and private hire operators



Cabwise

Find licensed minicab offices and other private hire operators in your area

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