Sep
Does one belong to the city? Is it how they're registered? Etc.
Answer:
Mini-cab cars and drivers are both licensed by the Public carriage office now and have been for a few years. This requires a criminal record agency check, medical and map reading test.
A black cab driver has spent around or at least three years driving round London on a scooter memorising set runs and will know just about every street and point of public interest within a six mile radius of Charing cross.
Mini-cabs are cheaper but have to be booked, only a black cab can legally be hailed on the street and use bus lanes.
There are illegal mini-cabs around and they are unsafe. The reason mini-cabs are now licensed is because of the number of assaults on women by unlicensed mini-cab drivers. All mini-cabs have massive license stickers in their front and rear windscreens and you should not get in a mini-cab that’s illegally touting for business by hanging around pick up points. Always telephone for one.
The advantage with a black cab is they know how to get you there, a mini-cab driver doesn't have the same street knowledge and we will get you there…eventually. Mini-cabs are much cheaper for early morning airports runs though.
Answer:
Firstly both Black cabs and minicabs are licensed. It's illegal to drive a car for hire in London without it being licensed .However, you can pick up a Black cab anywhere just by hailing it, minicabs have to be pre-booked.
Minicabs can charge whatever they like whereas Black cabs have to charge a certain amount. Minicabs are generally cheaper than Black cabs and only charge by distance whereas Black cabs charge by time and distance (so if there's a lot of traffic minicabs are an awful lot cheaper). If you're going a long distance minicabs might offer you a flat rate and will often tell you the cost before they set off.
Black cabs and minicabs are owned by the people who drive them.
Answer:
If you want a licenced and experienced London cab driver, get a black cab.
Minicabs are more of a gamble. You may get a competent driver is a decent vehicle, but you could also get an illegal immigrant mental patient driving something with no brakes and no insurance. If you’ve to use a minicab, always book by phone or go into the cab office in person. Don't just go with some guy who stops you and asks if you want a minicab - That's illegal and they're not supposed to do it
Answer:
the black cab is a licensed cab driver, which basically means that it is extremely safe to travel in one, since they’re owned by the city of london. mini-cabs are unlicensed cabs that can be very unsafe to travel in if your careful. It really depends on how well known the cabby is etc. but i advocate if you're visiting london to take a black cab, they might be more expensive..but your safety more important, as well as the comfy leather seats ^o^.
Answer:
The main differences between Black Cabs and Minicabs here in London are as follows: -
The traditional London Black Cab is granted to pick up fares from the street or via the telephone/radio etc. The Black Cab is also most commonly called the licensed cab trade.
Black Cabs of London - their history
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF5ep04iz…
The cab trade in London really got started in the 17thC when Oliver Cromwell (think it was he) or gave out licenses etc - parliament.
The London Minicab trade is quite different. It's history really goes back to the 1960s when they first appeared on the streets of London, mainly Minis of the period.
A minicab driver isn’t granted to ply for hire in the same way as a London Black Cab, but must instead receive pick-up instructions via radio from his company HQ.
To become a licensed Black Cab driver here in London, a person must first do the 'knowledge' (see link below). This takes about two years on average. A London Black Cab driver is expected to know his/her way around, because quite often the passenger may not know the way around. Typically, a passenger may grab a cab outside Euston station and simply say to the driver, “Harrods, please cabbie”. The London Black Cab driver will then take the shortest route from Euston to Harrods.
http://www.the-knowledge.org.uk/main/
Note that the minicab is usually someone's private vehicle which they use for hire purposes. Such drivers seldom know their way around.
If you want to be sure and safe, always take a traditional London Black Cab.
At the Black Cab link below, you can book a London Black Cab to take you from anywhere in London to anywhere in London.
http://www.londonblackcabs.co.uk/
. . . .have a great trip and don't forget, a tip is much appreciated.
Answer:
Black cab = licensed and safe
mini cab = unlicensed and very unsafe
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