Black cab, minicab or chauffeur? What's the difference in London

In London you will hear people talk about black cabs, minicabs, private hire and chauffeurs as if they were the same thing. They are not, and the difference matters for your safety, the price you pay and how you book. Here is a plain-English guide.

Black cabs (taxis)

London's black cabs are licensed taxis. They are the only vehicles that can be hailed in the street or picked up at a taxi rank. Fares are set by a meter, so the price depends on the time and distance of the journey, including any time spent in traffic. Black cab drivers have passed "the Knowledge", a demanding test of London's streets.

Private hire: minicabs and chauffeurs

Minicabs and chauffeur cars are both private hire vehicles. In London they are licensed by Transport for London (TfL), and so are their drivers and the company that takes the booking. The most important rule is simple:

A private hire journey must be booked in advance with a licensed operator. A private hire driver is not allowed to pick up passengers who approach them in the street. TfL advises never to get into a minicab that has not been booked, because an unbooked journey is not recorded and may not be insured.

A licensed private hire car shows a TfL licence disc, and the driver carries a private hire driver's licence. When you book, a proper operator tells you who is coming and in what car, so you can check before you get in.

So what makes a chauffeur different from a minicab?

Legally, both are private hire. The difference is the service:

• The car: chauffeur services use executive and luxury vehicles, kept clean and in good condition, rather than any car that is free.
• The price: a chauffeur journey is usually agreed up front, so you know the cost before you travel, whatever the traffic does.
• Planning: flights are tracked, waiting time is set out in advance, and the driver knows where to meet you.
• The driver: punctual, smartly dressed, and focused on a calm journey: help with luggage, a quiet ride or a phone call in peace.

Which should you choose?

For a short hop across town, a black cab you can hail is hard to beat. For airport runs, early starts, business meetings, weddings, days out and any journey where you need to arrive on time and know the price in advance, a pre-booked chauffeur makes more sense. It is also often better value than people expect for long journeys, because the price does not rise in traffic.

How to book safely

1. Book with a licensed private hire operator, never with a driver who approaches you.
2. Check you receive a confirmation with the price and booking details.
3. Before you get in, check the car and driver match what you were told.
4. Keep the operator's phone number handy for changes.

Read more about our chauffeurs and how we keep journeys safe, or get an instant quote for your journey.