CabsOn Service

Private Hire Taxi London — TfL-Licensed Pre-Booked Service

TfL-licensed private hire taxis (PHV) across London. Pre-booked only, fixed fares, ULEZ-compliant fleet.

Get an Instant Quote Corporate Account

Book Your Journey

Fixed-fare quotes in London.

CabsOn operates as a Transport for London licensed private hire taxi service across Greater London. Every vehicle is a registered TfL Private Hire Vehicle (PHV), every driver holds a current TfL PHV badge, every job is pre-booked through dispatch or online, and every fare is quoted upfront before booking.

Private hire taxis in London are distinct from black cabs (hackney carriages) in two ways: they cannot be flagged on the street (pre-booked only), and they typically price 30 to 50 percent lower over identical routes.

What is a TfL Private Hire Vehicle?

A Transport for London Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) is a passenger vehicle licensed by TfL to carry paying passengers on a pre-booked basis. PHV drivers must:

  • Hold a current TfL PHV driver licence (renewed annually)
  • Pass an enhanced DBS criminal record check
  • Pass a medical fitness assessment
  • Hold a valid full UK driving licence held for at least 3 years
  • Pass a topographical knowledge assessment

PHV vehicles must be inspected annually by TfL, hold a valid PHV licence sticker, and meet ULEZ emissions standards (Euro 6 diesel or Euro 4 petrol minimum, or zero-emission).

Private hire vs black cab

Private Hire (PHV)Black Cab (Hackney)
BookingPre-booked onlyCan be flagged on street
PricingFixed fare quoted upfrontMeter (varies with traffic)
Knowledge requirementTopographical assessmentThe Knowledge (3 to 4 years)
Typical cost30-50 percent lowerHigher (especially in traffic)
VehicleSaloon, MPV, executiveBlack cab body style

Why pre-book a private hire taxi?

  • Price certainty — fixed fare quoted before booking
  • Specific vehicle class — saloon, estate, executive, 8-seater MPV
  • Driver assignment — name, photo, vehicle details by SMS
  • Flight tracking on airport arrivals with up to 60 minutes free waiting
  • Corporate accounting — monthly invoice, VAT receipt, PO numbers

CabsOn fleet — all TfL PHV licensed

  • Saloon — Toyota Prius, Skoda Octavia, ULEZ-compliant
  • Estate — Skoda Superb Estate, full-luggage airport runs
  • Executive — Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series
  • 8-seater MPV — Mercedes V-Class, Volkswagen Caravelle
  • Chauffeur — Mercedes S-Class flagship
  • 16-seater minibus — Mercedes Sprinter
Licensed drivers Greater Manchester or TfL Private Hire (PHV) licensing on every booking
DBS-checked Background-checked drivers with airport access permits
ULEZ & Clean Air ready Modern fleet meeting London ULEZ and Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone standards
Fixed fare guarantee Drop-off charge, congestion charge and ULEZ bundled into the quote, no surge pricing
Vehicle classes

What you can book for London

Saloon

  • Up to 4 passengers
  • 2 standard suitcases
  • Most economical option

Default choice for solo travel, couples and pairs heading to the airport. Modern petrol-hybrid or fully electric saloons across the fleet.

Estate

  • Up to 4 passengers
  • 4 suitcases
  • Family-friendly

Choose this when bags outnumber people. A standard family of four with full check-in luggage fits cleanly in an estate where a saloon would not.

Executive

  • Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5 Series
  • Suited driver
  • Water and wifi included

Business class transport for corporate travellers, visiting clients and hotel transfers. The default for premium-postcode airport runs.

8-seater MPV

  • Up to 8 passengers
  • 8 suitcases capacity
  • Mercedes V-Class or Vito

Single-vehicle transport for groups of up to 8. Common on hen and stag bookings, sports teams, family airport runs and corporate group transfers.

Chauffeur

  • Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7 Series
  • Suited driver
  • VIP and wedding work

Flagship class for VIP travel, weddings, premium events and corporate visiting directors. Hourly hire from 4 hours minimum or fixed-route.

Every booking includes

What is in the fixed fare

Flight tracking on every airport pickup

Pickup time auto-adjusts to actual landing. No driver-side panic if your flight runs late.

60 minutes free waiting on arrivals

Plenty of buffer for immigration, baggage claim and customs at the busiest airport hours.

Drop-off charge included

The £5 forecourt fee at every UK airport is in the quote, not added at the kerb. Same with London congestion charge and ULEZ.

Optional meet and greet

Driver waits at the terminal arrivals exit with a name board. No extra charge.

Card, PayPal, corporate invoice

Pay how you want. Corporate accounts get monthly invoicing with PO numbers and VAT receipts.

Child and booster seats

Available on request, fitted before pickup. Confirm seat type at booking so we match the right vehicle.

Coverage

London on the map

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What is a private hire taxi in London?

A TfL-licensed Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) is a pre-booked passenger car. PHVs cannot be flagged on the street like black cabs — they must be booked in advance through a licensed operator like CabsOn.

Is private hire safer than ride-hailing apps?

Both operate under the same TfL PHV framework. CabsOn drivers are TfL-licensed, DBS-checked, and operate vehicles inspected annually by TfL.

Are CabsOn private hire taxis ULEZ-compliant?

Yes. The entire CabsOn fleet meets or exceeds ULEZ emission standards. No daily ULEZ charge passed to customers.

Can I book a private hire taxi on demand?

Same-day and immediate bookings are accepted subject to driver availability. By law TfL PHVs cannot be flagged on the street — they must be pre-booked, even if pre-booked by 5 minutes.

Do you offer corporate private hire accounts?

Yes. Monthly invoicing, PO numbers, named-passenger booking, VAT receipts. Contact us to open a business account.

Related

Other journeys we cover

London Taxi London Minicab Corporate Taxi London London Taxi Fares