Licensed taxi in London | ロンドンの公認タクシー | 伦敦许可的出租车 | 런던의 공인 택시 | Taxi autorizado en Londres | Taxi agréé à Londres | Lizenziertes Taxi in London | Licencjonowana taksówka w Londynie

London’s licensed taxis, commonly referred to as black cabs, are an iconic symbol of the city. Despite their name, not all of these taxis are actually black. The term originated from the early London taxis, such as the Austin FX3 and FX4 models, which were predominantly painted black. This color choice was due to practical and economic reasons – black paint was cheaper and more readily available at the time. Over the years, the association with the color stuck, leading to the popular nickname. However, there was never an official requirement for London taxis to be black.

A licensed taxi in London

The technical regulations for London cabs, known as the Conditions of Fitness, do not mandate black as the only permissible color. Instead, they focus on specific requirements that these vehicles must meet to operate as licensed taxis. While color is not restricted, several technical and design specifications are strictly enforced. These include a separate compartment for passengers and the driver to ensure privacy and safety, high internal headroom to accommodate passengers comfortably, and the ability to turn 180° within a 28-foot (8.53 meters) turning circle – a feature that allows these cabs to navigate narrow streets and make U-turns with ease.

In London, there are separate licenses for the driver and the vehicle. The driver’s license, known as the Taxi Driver’s Licence, is issued to an individual who wishes to become a taxi driver. This license permits them to operate a licensed taxi in the city. To obtain it, drivers must meet specific requirements, such as passing The Knowledge test, undergoing medical and character checks, and completing a practical driving assessment. The driver’s license is managed by Transport for London (TfL) and needs to be renewed every three years.

In addition to the driver’s license, a separate vehicle license – referred to as the Taxi Vehicle Licence – is required for the cab itself. This license ensures that the vehicle meets all the Conditions of Fitness set by TfL, including safety standards, accessibility requirements, and environmental compliance. Regular inspections are conducted to maintain the vehicle’s licensed status, and this license must also be renewed periodically.

Although there isn’t a strict cap or quota on the number of taxi licenses issued, the stringent requirements and high costs associated with obtaining a taxi driver’s license and maintaining a licensed vehicle naturally limit the number of black cabs operating in the city.

PS as of 2024. Uber drivers in London are governed by a different set of regulations compared to traditional black cab drivers. They must obtain a Private Hire Driver’s Licence from Transport for London (TfL), which involves passing a topographical skills assessment, a medical check, and a DBS (criminal record) check. Uber drivers are not required to pass The Knowledge test, but their vehicles must be licensed as Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) by TfL. Unlike black cabs, Uber drivers cannot pick up passengers from the street or wait at taxi ranks – they can only accept pre-booked rides through the app. The emergence of private hire drivers, among others, has led to a decrease of about 15% in the number of licensed taxi drivers in London over the last ten years, while the number of licensed taxis has fallen by around 32% over the same period​.