Can you hail a London taxi?

If you see that the light is on (you'll know if it is, it's a bright yellow light), then to hail the cab simply stand on the side of the pavement and extend your arm outward. There's no need to shout “taxi” and indeed, it's actually illegal to shout “taxi” whilst trying to hail a cab.



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There are two kinds of taxis in the U.K. - taxis that you flag down (Hackney carriages), and taxis that you book in advance (private hire) - and that includes Uber. You are not allowed to flag down a private hire vehicle.

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Since the time of Queen Anne, the humble Hackney carriage has attracted the most legislation, totaling over 37 Acts, many of which are still in force. One thing many passengers may not be aware of is it is actually illegal to hail a taxi cab in motion.

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Yes, you can buy a London taxi and keep it as a personal vehicle. However, you should ensure that you aren't misleading people into thinking the black cab is for hire – to do so, make sure the cab is modified so it's fit for private use.

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A taxi driver is obliged to accept passengers which fall within the taxi authorized area and are within 6 miles of the origination of the fare. A taxi driver can refuse a fare if the passenger looks drunk, sick or aggressive.

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Tipping taxi drivers It is polite to tip 10 to 15% of the taxi fare for black cabs and licensed minicabs in London. However, most people simply round up the fare to the nearest £1 and tell the driver to keep the change.

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As a taxi and minicab driver working in the UK, you'll find it's much easier and more cost-effective to hire a vehicle from a reputable operator like Addison Lee, rather than use your own car as a private hire vehicle. Do taxi drivers and minicab drivers own their cabs? Not necessarily.

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London Black Taxis +44 (0)20 3984 4515.

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Unlike some countries you do not have to tip in the UK. However, there are some unsaid social rules about leaving a tip. For example, if you take a taxi it is normal practice to round up the fare to the nearest pound.

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Tipping is appreciated but not always appropriate in London. There are some situations where it is customary, for example in restaurants.

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London black cab fares are metered, and the minimum charge is £3.20. Additional charges apply when you take a black cab from Heathrow, book by phone, and on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. All black cabs accept payment by credit or debit card without a surcharge.

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Black Cabs and Bowler Hats One unique fact about the Hackney Cab is that dating back to their horse-drawn equivalents in the 17th century, they were required to be tall enough to fit a person wearing a bowler hat.

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Distinctive characteristics of taxis When the roof sign is illuminated, it means that the taxi is available for hire. When the taxi light is off, it means that the taxi is already picking up a customer or is not in operation.

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Yes, you can hail a London black taxi in the street and pay the driver in cash at the end of your journey. Most cabs also accept credit and debit cards now.

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A hackney or hackney carriage (also called a cab, black cab, hack or London taxi) is a carriage or car for hire.

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