Most people never check whether their minicab is licensed. Usually that's fine, but if something goes wrong, the licence is what gives you any protection. Checking takes a couple of minutes, and you only need to do it once for a company you'll use again.
This guide explains what private hire licensing covers in the UK, how to check it in London and elsewhere, and what to look for when the car arrives.
Three licences, not one
A legal private hire journey involves three separate licences:
- The operator licence. This covers the company that takes your booking. The operator has to record the booking and is responsible for sending a licensed driver in a licensed vehicle.
- The driver licence. Private hire drivers go through background checks, including an enhanced DBS check, before they're licensed.
- The vehicle licence. The car itself is licensed, which involves regular inspections.
These licences stack. A licensed driver in a licensed car still isn't a legal minicab if the job wasn't booked through a licensed operator. That's why a driver who offers you a lift outside a station is acting illegally, even if their own licence is valid.
Who issues the licences
- In London, Transport for London (TfL) licenses private hire operators, drivers and vehicles.
- In the rest of England and Wales, the local council issues the licences. A firm in Birmingham is licensed by Birmingham City Council, one in Solihull by Solihull's council, and so on.
- In Scotland, local councils license private hire under Scottish legislation.
Licensing rules differ between areas. A licence from one council is valid, but it's issued by that council, not by the area you happen to be travelling through.
How to check a London operator
TfL publishes an online licence checker on its website. You can search for:
- An operator by company name or licence number.
- A driver by licence number.
- A vehicle by registration.
Start with the operator. A legitimate London private hire company should show its TfL licence number somewhere easy to find, usually in the website footer or terms. If you can't find a licence number, or it doesn't match the company name on TfL's checker, don't book.
Outside London, most councils publish a public register or will confirm a licence if you contact their licensing team. Search for the council's name followed by "private hire licence register".
What to check when the car arrives
Checking the company is the bigger step, but a quick look at the car is still worth it:
- The licence disc. Licensed London private hire vehicles display a TfL licence disc. Outside London, councils use their own signs or plates.
- The registration. Check it matches the one in your booking confirmation, if you were sent one.
- The driver knows your booking. Ask "who are you here for?" instead of offering your own name. A driver sent for your booking already knows it.
- The driver's ID. Licensed drivers carry an ID badge, and you're entitled to ask to see it.
If something doesn't match, don't get in. Contact the operator using the details in your booking. Our safety tips cover this in more depth, especially for late-night travel.
Signs you're not dealing with a licensed operator
- No licence number anywhere on the website or in the confirmation.
- A request to pay a driver's personal bank account before the journey.
- Someone approaching you on the pavement offering a ride. In London that's touting, a criminal offence. Our touts guide explains how to spot it and report it to TfL.
- A price that seems far too low compared with other quotes for the same journey. Our guide to minicab quotes helps you compare quotes properly.
Why it matters if something goes wrong
A licensed operator has a booking record, a regulator above it and a duty to deal with complaints. If you lose something in the car, have a dispute over the fare or want to report a driver, those records are what make it possible to resolve. Our guides on lost property and how to complain both depend on there being a licensed operator to go to.
We're a private hire operator licensed by Transport for London, and our licence details are in the footer of every page. When you're ready, get an estimated fare on the booking page.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How do I check if a minicab company is licensed in London? A: Use TfL's online licence checker and search for the operator by name or licence number. A legitimate London operator should show its TfL licence number on its website.
Q: Can I check a minicab driver's licence? A: Yes. Licensed drivers carry an ID badge you can ask to see, and in London you can look up a driver's licence number on TfL's checker.
Q: Who licenses minicabs outside London? A: In England and Wales, the local council licenses private hire operators, drivers and vehicles. In Scotland, local councils license them under Scottish legislation.
Q: Is it legal to get into a minicab that wasn't booked? A: A minicab must be booked through a licensed operator before the journey. A private hire driver who picks up passengers without a booking is acting illegally, and the passenger loses the protection a booking record gives.
Q: What does a TfL licence disc look like? A: Licensed London private hire vehicles display a TfL licence disc. If you can't see one, or the registration doesn't match your booking, contact the operator before getting in.