The London Taxi

Taxis in the UK are also known as rental cars and are licensed by local authorities in most of Britain. Black taxis are popular in London, as well as in other large cities within Britain, although they are generally associated with the capital in the same way as open top double-decker red buses. To celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary of the queens' reign) two thousand and fifty golden taxis were produced.

Black UK taxis are known for their distinctive "TAXI" light on top of the vehicle that illuminates when the cheap taxi London is available for hire. In the past, taxiing across the UK would probably have been a large saloon car that allowed ample space for passengers and was affordable, but the increasing attention and regulation around disabled access led many local authorities to offer free licenses for taxis that were sufficiently equipped to allow disabled passengers in wheelchairs. Many vehicles are now specifically designed with wheelchair access in mind, with large vehicles equipped with extendable ramps and ample rear space.

There are currently an estimated twenty-one black taxis on the streets of London, each of which must be licensed by the Office of Public Transport, which is responsible for licensing taxis in the Greater London area. To become a London taxi driver, the applicant must also pass the The Knowledge test, which is designed to assess a driver's knowledge of the streets of London.