What’s the Difference between a Minicab and Taxi?

In the UK, the terms “minicab” and “taxi” are often interchanged without much thought. People don’t even realize while using these terms and expect the other person to understand. But, things become complicated because these two terms represent two different categories within the licensed taxi industry. You should understand this difference to use their services in the right way

About taxis

People refer to a private hire vehicle as a “taxi”, no matter how it is hired or operated. But, the thing is, every private hire vehicle is not a taxi. The ones driven by hackney carriage drivers are labeled as taxis. These drivers fall under the category of cab drivers who are officially allowed to ply for business directly with passengers on the street. Also, this is only the cab type that can be hailed.

In the UK, the hackney carriage means the “black” cab. But, today, you will not find many black cabs; there are different types of vehicles used by hackney carriage drivers nowadays, including saloons, SUVs, and executive cars. It’s easy to identify hackney carriages because they bear the yellow “TAXI” light on the roof.

The taxi service is available for immediate hire and doesn’t require pre-booking. But, if you want, you can book the service in advance.

How to become a hackney carriage driver

To become a licensed hackney carriage driver, you should pass a vocational series of examinations. The qualification process takes around three years. Also, you should fulfill the licensing requirements of the local authorities across the UK.

About minicabs

Also known as private hire vehicles, the minicabs are available for pre-booking only via a private hire operator. You cannot hail minicabs off the street or ply for business. Also, the minicabs cannot use bus lanes or taxi ranks.

As per the rule, a minicab can seat a maximum of eight passengers. If there are more passengers in the minicab, the private hire operator or the driver will be penalized. Other than this, private hire vehicles are not allowed to carry advertising.

How to become a minicab driver

To become a minicab driver, you should be licensed by the Public Carriage Office or PCO. You can check the website for more details. Your age should be at least 21 years and have held a full UK driving license for at least three years before applying. Other than this, you should pass a Topographical Skills Assessment and an English language test. In some states, you might have to apply for the local council to drive a private hire vehicle. Keep in mind that the application process varies from one location to another.

By now, you might have understood the major difference between taxis and minicabs and why people often interchange them in the UK. So, we hope you use the right service at the right time to get the maximum benefit.

If you are a driver looking for more passengers or a passenger looking for the best private hire vehicle, visit Flex Taxis.