Types of Car Hire
Taxis, Hackney carriages or Black cabs can be flagged-down in the street or hired from a taxi rank.
Private hire or Minicabs are passenger vehicles which are either saloons that carry up to four passengers or MPVs and mini buses that are licensed for up to six or eight passengers. These cannot be hailed in the street and must be pre-booked.
Chauffeur cars are a sub-set of private hire; generally a higher value of car such as a Mercedes bmw and bentley where the passenger pays a premium but in return receives a higher level of comfort and courtesy from the driver who may at times wear a uniform.
Taxis
Only licensed Taxis can pick up passengers on the street. London's Black cabs, are particularly famous on account of the specially constructed vehicles and the extensive training course (the Knowledge) required for fully licensed drivers; unlike many other cities, the number of taxicab drivers in London is not limited. London's cab drivers are even well-known for having developed an especially big hippocampus, a region of the brain where, among other things, information about locations is stored.
Private hire
UK minicab with company name and telephone number, the term minicab is used to refer to a private hire car; that is a car with a driver available for hire only on a pre-booked basis. They began operating in the 1960's in competition to Taxis after a loophole in the law was spotted. A minicab must be pre-booked, for example, by telephone, internet, or fax; or in person at the registered minicab office. You can book at the time that you need the minicab but only with the company registered to accept bookings.
Since 2001 minicabs have been regulated in London and most other local authorities. London minicabs are now licensed by the Public Carriage Office, the same body that regulates London black taxicabs. All vehicles available for hire by London minicab drivers must also hold a Public Carriage Office licence showing that they are fit for purpose. This is updated twice a year after an inspection at a licensed garage.
