Taxi drivers, also called cabdrivers or cabbies, use a meter to calculate the fare when a passenger requests a destination. Many customers request a cab by calling a central dispatcher who then tells the taxi driver the pickup location.

In the United States, taxi drivers are most commonly referred to simply as "cabbies" or "taxi drivers." The term "cabbie" is a casual, affectionate shorthand derived from "taxicab," and it is used ubiquitously from New York City to Los Angeles. In more formal or legal contexts, they are referred to as "hackney drivers" or simply "hacks," a term that dates back to the "hackney coaches" of the 17th century. In 2026, however, the terminology has shifted significantly due to the dominance of ride-sharing. People who drive for companies like Uber or Lyft are almost never called "cabbies"; they are referred to as "ride-share drivers" or simply "drivers." If you are in New York City, you might hear a driver specifically referred to as a "Yellow Cab driver" to distinguish them from "Green Cabs" (which serve the outer boroughs) or "black cars" (limousines). For a 2026 visitor, "cabbie" remains the most natural and understood term, but don't be surprised if you hear a New Yorker yell "Taxi!" or "Hack!" when trying to flag one down on a busy street corner—it's a linguistic tradition that has survived even the digital revolution.