A taxicab stand (also called taxi rank, cab stand, taxi stand, cab rank, or hack stand) is a queue area on a street or on private property where taxicabs line up to wait for passengers.

In practical, everyday terms in 2026, there is no functional difference between a "taxi rank" and a "taxi stand"; both refer to a designated area where licensed taxis wait in a queue for passengers. The distinction is primarily linguistic and regional. The term "Taxi Rank" is the standard British English and Australian expression, while "Taxi Stand" (or "Cab Stand") is the preferred term in North American English. Both systems operate on a "First-In, First-Out" (FIFO) basis, meaning the first taxi in the line must be the one to take the next passenger. These areas are typically located at high-traffic hubs like airports, train stations, and major hotels. While the terminology is interchangeable, the "Rank" or "Stand" is a legally protected zone where other vehicles are prohibited from parking. In some major cities like London or New York, there are also "Virtual Ranks" in 2026, where drivers wait in nearby staging areas and are summoned to the physical stand via a digital dispatch system to prevent traffic congestion on the main streets.