Black cab or minicab: what's the difference?

Black cabs (taxis)

Black cab drivers hold a London taxi driver licence, which means passing the Knowledge: years of learning London's streets by heart. Black cabs can be hailed on the street, picked up at a rank, or booked through an app like London Cabbies.

Fares are metered and set by Transport for London, and every cab is wheelchair accessible.

Minicabs (private hire)

Minicabs are private hire vehicles, licensed by TfL too, but they must be booked in advance through a licensed operator. They can't be hailed or wait at taxi ranks, and the price is set by the operator.

Which to choose

If you want a driver who knows London inside out, a metered fare and an accessible cab, choose a black cab. London Cabbies only works with licensed black cab drivers.