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Find out about our related services for customers on the Taxis & minicab page.
We set regulations and policies for taxi (black cab) and private hire (minicab and chauffeur) services to protect customers, and ensure vehicles are safe, accessible and meet strict environmental standards.
For taxi services, we are also responsible for setting regulated taxi fares and we work with London boroughs to appoint taxi ranks across London.
Policy decisions are subject to public consultations, customer research, and/or engagement with interested parties, including the taxi and private hire industries.
We are responsible for licensing all taxi drivers and vehicles, and private hire operators, drivers and vehicles in London. We also set the requirements for licensing to ensure that we maintain the highest standards possible in both industries.
All taxi and private hire driver applicants must meet strict criteria to ensure they are 'fit and proper' before becoming licensed. Many of these checks are completed again every three years as they renew their licence. Requirements include:
Taxis, private hire vehicles, and private hire operators must also meet a number of requirements in order to be licensed.
Full details of all the criteria required is available on our licensing pages.
We work closely with the taxi and private hire trade, the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Police to ensure the safety of passengers using London's taxi and private hire services. This includes tackling touting and unlawful plying for hire
More information is available on our compliance and enforcement page.
We are responsible for implementing the Mayor's Transport Strategy and the Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan which sets out the transport vision for London and details how we will deliver the plan between now and 2031.
This includes plans to significantly reduce emissions in the Capital. As part of this, as of 1 January 2018 all newly licensed taxis are zero emission-capable.