What color is taxi color?

Not all cabs are yellow — London's iconic ones are decidedly black — but the distinctive color is a classic for taxicabs. In New York City, taxis are yellow because of regulations first enacted in the late 1960s, but the process that got the first yellow cab onto the streets had begun much earlier.



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While there are some exceptions in certain places (like London, where taxis are black) the most common taxi color is yellow in most places worldwide. In some cities and countries where taxis aren't painted yellow, the taxi sign placed on top of the roof is usually yellow.

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In Germany, taxis are beige, a look that was officially stipulated by law as Elfenbein (ivory) a light ivory-color in 1971. In 2005 this legal restriction was lifted, but most taxi drivers' associations and companies still prefer the unified look and visibility of beige.

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Yellow is first in line after white for vehicle safety. Yellow cars are easy to spot, which is why this has been the preferred color for taxi drivers.

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Though there has never been law requiring London's taxis to be black, they were, since the end of the Second World War, sold in a standard colour of black. This, in the 1970s gave rise within the minicab trade to the nickname 'black cab' and it has become common currency.

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Tokyo's taxis are distinguished by the color of their license plates and lights. Licensed taxis use green license plates while privately owned cars use white and yellow plates. Vacant cabs display the characters “kuusha”, or “empty car” in red LEDs in the front window.

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Many people are curious as to why yellow is the most common color choice for taxis. The answer is actually quite simple – yellow is a noticeable color, which helps passengers spot the taxi cabs more easily.

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Not all cabs are yellow — London's iconic ones are decidedly black — but the distinctive color is a classic for taxicabs. In New York City, taxis are yellow because of regulations first enacted in the late 1960s, but the process that got the first yellow cab onto the streets had begun much earlier.

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Black cab The famous London taxis are actually called 'hackney carriages' but in London we just call them 'black cabs/taxis'. London taxi drivers have to pass a special exam called the Knowledge to get their license so if you take a black cab, you can be sure the driver will know the way.

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