Hackney carriages (taxis) can be flagged down in the street or hired from a taxi rank. Private hire vehicles ('minicabs') are passenger vehicles which can be either a 4-door saloon/hatchback, carrying up to four passengers, or MPVs that are licensed to carry between 5 and 8 passengers.

In the UK, the maximum passenger capacity for a standard taxi (Hackney Carriage) or Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) is eight passengers, plus the driver. Any vehicle designed to carry more than eight passengers is legally classified as a "minibus" and requires a different type of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) license. Iconic London Black Cabs are typically licensed to carry five or six passengers, with three on the main rear bench and two or three on the fold-down "jump seats" facing backward. Outside of London, many local authorities license "Multi-Purpose Vehicles" (MPVs) like the Ford Galaxy or Mercedes Vito to carry the full eight-person limit. In 2026, it is a peer-to-peer essential to remember that infants and children count as full passengers toward this legal limit; you cannot "squeeze in" an extra person just because they are small. A high-value strategy for groups of 6 to 8 is to book a "Large Van" taxi in advance, as they offer significant cost savings compared to booking two separate standard cars and provide a much more social "door-to-door" experience for the whole party.