The most common official and historical name for a London black cab is a "Hackney Carriage." This term dates back hundreds of years to the horse-drawn "hackney coaches" used for hire in the 17th century. While most people simply call them "taxis" or "black cabs," the legal term used by Transport for London (TfL) and in UK legislation remains Hackney Carriage. Interestingly, the word "hackney" is believed to derive from the French word haquenée, referring to a medium-sized horse suitable for hire. In the 2026 London transport landscape, you might also hear them referred to as "LEVCs" (after the London EV Company, which manufactures the modern electric TX models) or simply "London Cabs." Unlike "Private Hire Vehicles" (such as Uber or Bolt), Hackney Carriages are the only vehicles permitted to be "hailed" on the street or wait at designated taxi ranks. To become a driver of these iconic vehicles, one must still pass "The Knowledge," a legendary test of London's 25,000 streets that remains a point of pride for the industry.