A Short History of London’s Black Cabs

London’s black cabs are part of the capital’s identity, with a history reaching back to the hire carriages of the seventeenth century. Horse-drawn hackney carriages carried passengers long before the motor car appeared. Later, lighter two-wheeled cabs offered a more manoeuvrable alternative on crowded streets. The familiar word ‘cab’ comes from ‘cabriolet’, while ‘hackney carriage’ survives in the language of taxi licensing.

London’s early electric cab

Bersey electric cabs operated in London from 1897 to 1899, an early attempt to replace the horse with battery power. Reliability problems and the expense of batteries and tyres made the venture difficult to sustain. As motoring developed, manufacturers began building vehicles specifically for taxi work, and meters became part of the service. French-made Unic cabs were among the vehicles seen on London’s streets before British designs became particularly associated with the capital. The industry has continued to change; it is not an unbroken monopoly of English-owned manufacturers.

The shape of the modern black cab

The Austin FX3, introduced in 1948, helped establish the shape associated with London’s traditional black cab. It had a tall passenger compartment, a division behind the driver and a luggage area beside the driving seat. The generous headroom is often recalled in stories about gentlemen keeping their top hats on.

London cabs today

The TX1 arrived in 1997, continuing the recognisable London taxi shape. Later models, including the electric-capable LEVC TX introduced in 2018, show how the fleet has evolved beyond that earlier design. Advertising and varied body colours are familiar sights alongside traditional black paint. TfL licenses London taxis, whose drivers study the Knowledge of London. Licensed taxis can accept street hails; private transfer services work through advance bookings with an operator.

International travel created growing demand for journeys such as London airport transfers. These can be arranged in advance with a licensed private-hire operator. You can book an airport transfer with London Airport Transfer, agreeing the route, passenger numbers and luggage requirements before travelling. A confirmed booking helps you choose a suitable vehicle and understand the journey arrangements.