Do you have to wear a seatbelt in a London taxi?

Seat belts are not required for licensed taxi drivers if they are carrying passengers according to British law. In contrast, taxi passengers must always wear a seatbelt and are not subject to the same rule.



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Restrictions and Requirements
  • complete a driving skills assessment.
  • have a full UK or EU driving licence, held for at least 12 months, or 3 years if working in London.
  • pass background checks.
  • pass a medical check.
  • be over 18 but over 21 in some areas, including London.


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Drivers of yellow medallion taxicabs and for-hire vehicles and their passengers, are exempt from laws regarding car seats and seatbelts. Keep in mind, the TLC encourages everyone in the vehicle to buckle their seatbelts while riding in a cab.

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Passengers in taxis are usually in a rear seat. Seatbelt use for back seat passengers in private autos is almost never required by state law. So, back seat passengers don't as a rule wear them.

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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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British law prohibits taxi drivers from wearing seat belts for their safety. Most of the time, the goal is to prevent robberies. Also, drivers find it difficult to escape dangerous riders quickly when wearing a belt. There is a higher risk of assault among seatbelt-wearing drivers.

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The original design of the London black cab didn't even have a passenger seat. It had a rack, on which you placed your luggage before retreating to the peaceful rear. This confirmed the convention at an early stage. The normal, balanced passenger occupies the back seat of a taxi.

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