Thousands of taxi and minicab journeys are taken every day, the majority without incident. We take passenger safety extremely seriously.

Yes, taking a taxi in London is exceptionally safe, provided you use the official Black Cabs (Hackney Carriages) or reputable, pre-booked private hire apps. London’s Black Cab drivers are among the most vetted in the world, having passed "The Knowledge"—a rigorous geographical exam—and a comprehensive DBS criminal background check. These vehicles are the only ones legally allowed to be "hailed" on the street or picked up at a taxi rank. For private hire vehicles (PHVs) like Uber or local minicabs, safety in 2026 is maintained through mandatory app-based tracking and "share my trip" features. The biggest risk in London comes from "unlicensed" or "illegal" minicabs that may approach you on the street, especially late at night. You should never get into a private car that you did not specifically book through an app or a central dispatch office. Official Black Cabs will always have a white and green license plate on the rear and a taxi light on the roof; if the light is on, the driver is available and safe to hire.