Insider tip: Luckily, black cabs have lots of experience having children in the back of their cabs. Both of our children came home from the hospital in a black cab, held in our arms. You do not need a car seat in a black cab and can just buckle everyone in.

In the United Kingdom, specific laws govern child restraints in taxis, which differ slightly from private car regulations for practical reasons. For London's iconic black cabs (and other licensed taxis), a child under 3 years old may travel unrestrained in the rear seat if an appropriate child car seat is not available. This means you can legally hold a baby on your lap while in a black cab, although it is not recommended for safety. If the child is over 3 years old, they must use an adult seat belt if a child seat is unavailable. It is important to note that it is illegal to carry a child in a rear-facing seat in the front if an active airbag is present. Many modern parents in London prefer to pre-book specialized services like "Taxi Bambino" that provide certified car seats, as most standard black cabs do not carry them by default. While the "unrestrained" rule provides a legal exemption for taxi journeys, the physical risks of holding a child during a collision remain the same regardless of the vehicle type.