The CORRECT Way To Hail a London Taxi!

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

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[@johnpersonage7220]

I stepped out of a London hotel once with both hands full of heavy camera equipment and I needed a cab to an address a few miles into South Kensington. A cab was passing at that exact moment and I followed him with my eyes with a look of "damn, I missed him" written on my face. He must be the most observant cabbie ever because he stopped and beckoned me over.

[@ianmitchell9102]

We just know, takes years of experience 😉

[@Kafka04]

Same thing happened to me! I was on the opposite side of the road and he turned round to pick me up. When I asked him how he knew I needed a cab-he said, from the dirty look I gave him!😬🤣

[@ClarkeDesign]

I wonder if Americans (other people too) get confused between a taxi and a private hire cab. Hailing a taxi (black cab) is fine, but hailing a private hire cab is not, as you are not insured unless it has been pre-booked.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Very true, golden rule is to always look for the light! 😊

[@Pauldjreadman]

That's a great point.

[@benwakefield93]

I mean, even in that case, the onus is on the driver, I would think? Hailing the Pre booked isn't an offence in itself.

[@cesariojpn]

The "Hailing a Taxi is Illegal" might stem from jurisdictions and rules. Example: Las Vegas doesn't allow hailing a taxi on the Las Vegas Strip. That's why people who want a Taxi are advised to go to the front of a hotel and get a taxi from the rank there.

[@barneylaurance1865]

And London doesn't allow hailing a private hire vehicle, aka minicab. Visitors might not be clear on the difference. Although of course it would be the driver that would get in trouble, not the passenger.

[@MrLudx1000]

I was just watching an old video on your channel yesterday when you drove during the tube strike, and thought about how, as a tourist, I could hail a taxi as best as possible, seeing how you had to go around the block to pick someone up in a complicated location, telling him to follow you and he didn't, and today you upload a video exactly on that subject, brilliant ! And I think everybody visiting London should watch that video to know the how to's and the how not to's

[@dadatheartist-pt4th]

Do not!!! Aim the hand diagonaly straight 🇩🇪🙋🏻‍♀️ Remember hail don't HEIL

[@andrewoneall]

Just returned from London and think I mastered the "Loud and Proud". Thanks for all of the great tips, especially telling the driver the destination through the window.

[@colinmaynard2879]

But as you frequently mention. I think the difficulty of seeing if the hire is illuminated tends to lead to not making too big a gesture for looking foolish as it drives by

[@AlfaGiuliaQV]

This is a part of the charm of London for me as a visiting tourist. I always knew there is these certain steps to follow when whishing to ride a black cab, but insecurity gets the best of me. I alwas have it somewhere in the back of my mind that the cab driver will be offended if i do it wrong and i can come off as rude customer. This video is exactly what i needed to get som hailing down-confidence 🙂

[@ianmitchell9102]

Trust me, you won’t ever offend us, always thankful for the work 😉

[@fredjohnson9426]

I'm sure they're extremely used to people who don't have much experience; just don't be outright rude and you'll be grand.

[@itsjohndell]

Your biggest worry is not looking both ways at the cross walk brcause you aren't used to the traffic driving on the left. In the 1930's Winston Churchill was on a speaking tour in the US. He stepped off the curb on Central Park West and was struck, nearly fatally. spent months in hospital. Being a big man he told the Police it was entirely his fault and made sure the driver was not detained or charged, and always maintained that it was "My own damned fault!"

[@ianmitchell9102]

@@itsjohndell if only politicians these days had the same honesty 🤷‍♂️

[@itsjohndell]

@@ianmitchell9102 We will never see the like of Churchill again.

[@Katilain96]

Thank you for this video! I really want to get the black cap experience when visiting London but ive never used a Taxi in my life, so this really helps!

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

It's an awesome and empowering feeling having your arm that high 😊

[@johnorchin8567]

I would also suggest hailing a cab going in the direction you want to go, so the driver doesn’t have to do a u turn.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Sometimes people abide by this too strongly, and miss a lot of potential options to get home sooner!

[@Markstaxidiaries]

Dropping off is an art too! Customers who want to get out and pay when I’m stuck on a red light then it turns green is super frustrating. All hail the black taxi!

[@Stanf954]

As a native NY'r, hailing a NYC Yellow Taxi is an art. London's version is a snap.

[@pegasustargaryen]

6:00 FYI, in Germany we mostly just sit down somewhere in a restaurant! 😂

[@monikaunterwegs7960]

Thank you for this video! I'm going to London in one week with my parents. I had been to London a few times, but I'm not experienced in using a taxi. My parents are for the first time in London. I hope, after watching this video, I can impress them 😀

[@johnfox570]

I'm glad you done this video tom, sometimes I'm driving around you know they want a cab but look a bit shy to stick there hand up, but after 30 odd years doing the job I more or less just drag them in anyway hahaha, be lucky mate

[@kipe933]

A few things I've been wondering about for a while: 1. At Camden Town station, there's what appears to be a rank in the middle of the street. Are passengers expected to dodge across traffic, hail one of those taxis down, or something else? 2. Which apps do taxi drivers prefer for app jobs? I use Free Now out of habit, but don't know if others take less commission/have more drivers/etc. 3. Is it still possible in this day and age to call a number and get a taxi (not a PHV)? Or have they been completely replaced by apps?

[@kevm5644]

Always on the lookout for your cab when driving in and out of London

[@RadioActive_Avaition]

Just using my other half’s account thanks for the quick chat outside The Royal Oak on Regency street SW1 Thanks for putting a smile on my face 2023 Tom must hit 100k subs this year

[@bluebusmms]

A useful video, great content. I had never considered that I should chat to the driver before getting into the cab.

[@rustystuff]

The bit about speaking to you through the passenger window comes naturally to me, so when I tried it in New York, the cab driver looked at me like I was some sort of alien 👽 then I had "just get in" 😆

[@DadgeCity]

Light on, hand up, cab stops, one of the joys of London

[@Adam-Adamson]

2:10 yellow or red light?

[@sb1056sb]

When you said at the start of how satisfying it is to hail a cab, I chuckled to myself because it’s so true. 😂😂

[@RonRicho]

Very, very good video and advice. Thanks, Tom.

[@gamerduder9425]

loving the videos dude its me The Alba Galavanter on my other KZbin channel taking a break from doing stuff on it ordering a taxi from an app is kinda similar to ordering a takeaway from say one of the app providers they add a small charge on for delivery and the processing cost

[@michaelorton6808]

never thuught about hailing.well done.

[@deanobombeano234]

Hi Tom....1:12 in it says no stopping on zig zags or pink lines.....where would you find pink lines? My understanding is red lines /routes are fine. Intrigued on the pink restrictions

[@azizbassman]

Wow , Tom. I was just thinking this as an idea for a video and here you are posting it great job 👏

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Great minds think alike Aziz

[@georgebaker1486]

tbf I've lived in London for 5 years but lived in essex the rest of the time. Anytime I hail a bus or taxi regardless I'm waving like I'm a blacksmith hitting the anvil. That way it isn't my fault.

[@exitoz1396]

The taxi rank is crazy. I live in sweden and there are what looks like ranks but it doesn't matter what car you go to the driver will not shut you down and refer you to the car up ahead. Just get in and go

[@Pauldjreadman]

I didn't realise that you could hail a cab down still.. I assumed you phoned up and booked. Glad this tradition has been upheld. It’s far easier.

[@christycheray]

In the city that I live in, you have to schedule a cab beforehand. You are not allowed to hail a cab. They operate the same as Uber and Lift.

[@vishneviysok]

Great vlog! Brilliant! ❤

[@Takcep]

Когда ролик делали? Неужели в Лондоне такая теплая погода? When was the video made? Is the weather really that warm in London?

[@markpunt9638]

Yes - I’m never sure how many fingers to use: one, two, or five on the outstretched hand. 🤔

[@theogrant528]

Could you talk about the green shelters?

[@mtty1988]

Great TfL infomercials

[@iandrew6347]

Love seeing your videos

[@etang77]

My first time in London, my friend (who's only been with her family a couple of times), we headed out to see Les Mis at Palace Theatre at the time. I don't know why we did so little research but we got out of the Tube at Leicester Square and doesn't have a clue where to go, so we flag down a taxi, and the taxi driver told us, to just walk up there for a few minutes and it's there. I'm pretty sure there are taxis in other part of the world, who would have just earned that fare.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

That little corner can be super heavy with traffic. It’s not a pleasurable experience for the customer, so if we lay out the options they can decide!

[@kkrispy2009P]

Thanks for the tips tom

[@sheilam4525]

Very informative!😁👏

[@simonbaker5972]

Great vlog. I came out of J. Sheekeys onto the Charing Cross Road side , Trying to hail a taxi to N14. One said no he's not going in that direction and the next one said yes and took me. I never experienced that before. Wonder why that was!

[@hughraynor8670]

I only recently found out after a LONG search for an available black cab that late into a Friday night, cabbies available for hire won't use their light, as they want to sus customers out before they pick them up.

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

I don't follow? The light has to be on for you to know they are available;e... Light off they are off home or picking up a pre-booked passenger.

[@hughraynor8670]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver I was out for a work Christmas party in December. Took me ages to get a cab. There were plenty driving round empty with their lights off at 2am. When I finally found one with his light on, he told me that it's common for them to drive around without their light, flag them anyway, and if you're not stumbling around they'll probably pick you up. But it sounds like this isn't a common thing based on your response?

[@fuzzylon]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver I've seen this too - very late at night or in the small hours. If the light is on and a taxi stops they have to take you - whatever state you're in. If they have the light off then they can look out for people who look like they're looking for a taxi and choose whether to take them or not. e.g. people standing on a corner near a railway station looking up and down the street, but not looking too drunk. The taxi just stops by them and asks if they're looking for a taxi.

[@simatbirch]

Good vid Tom. I still think that there are a lot of people that don’t know you can hail a taxi.

[@smithyedward5614]

I've always wondered the etiquette of asking drivers 'set prices' if you're going outside of London - say to Luton Airport or if you live in a close by commuter town and miss the last train... What are rules? Do all drivers do that? Is it rude ask? How do they calculate prices etc?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Yea anything out of London is defo up for fixed pricing. Good for the cabbie because they can be paid upfront. It's just a case of "I'd like to go to Luton, I understand it might be a bit of a long job, wrong direction, would you be able to take a fixed fare? Or would you know a driver who would?". There's bound to be a driver who will be heading home who would bite your arm off for something that pays to go his way. So even if it's not the first cabbie, he will know someone who might.

[@smithyedward5614]

Oh cool, thank you for the reply.

[@kiradotee]

2:55 wtf who would use a peace sign lmao 😂

[@charlesg4640]

Any advice on getting a taxi or Uber after a concert at Hyde Park? I understand the roads are closed around the area for a bit after a concert. Thanks!

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Hit the main road and stick your arm up. There sometimes is a rank on Park Lane. But no the roads aren’t closed

[@charlesg4640]

Thank you kindly!!

[@CallieMasters5000]

Ok, but how often do you get the passenger saying lines like you see in the movies, like "Follow that cab! Hurry, run the light, I'll pay any fine!" or "Anywhere, just drive!" or "Fast as possible, I'm being followed!" or "Take me as far as I can go for £10!"? How about nonspecific instructions like "take me to Baker Street (or Croydon), I'll tell you exactly where when we get there!". Do you get these and would you do the job?

[@frankies6770]

I’m curious here in the states at least in Philadelphia Pennsylvania the hotels have the blue light system. The doorman or doorwoman will activate a flashing blue light to indicate they need cabs when there is nothing in the hotel taxi line. Is that used there or something similar?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Yes! Many of our hotels have a flashing beacon hidden away somewhere on the building!

[@frankies6770]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver cool it’s a great system

[@renzola13]

Hello from Dallas. When I visit London, I’m hiring you exclusively. 💯

[@ap9970]

My sister was amazed on her first visit to London that you can could get a Taxi by just sticking your hand out, as opposed to "we have to phone them up at home".

[@zulfqarali905]

Hi Tom keep it up you are doing a great job 😜 in making all great videos superstar have you ever picked up to Walsall west midlands england junction 9/10 m6

[@mikkop71]

What is the correct way for customer to get on taxi at the rank? If there are no people waiting easy, but if there is a long queue? Do I need to go first one or can I choose?

[@adamharris-batt6333]

where do you get your shirts from I like that one lol

[@brianbrown826]

Tom, is it correct that once a taxi with light on has stopped for a fare the driver has to take the passenger and can not refuse unless the passenger is drunk or wishes to go a long distance? 2. The driver saying he is not going in the direction the passenger wants is not a reason for refusal

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Correct. Light on means available. Refusal can only be distance, time or drunken/no means or paying.

[@c0d3_m0nk3y]

To hail, stick your hand out vertically. To heil, stick your hand out horizontally. Better don't get those mixed up ;)

[@Gordon..]

Unless you're in a wheelchair and suddenly you become invisible to Taxis

[@bar10ml44]

Excellent

[@jaychow5220]

may I know which taxi app is the best in london

[@jamielee9350]

Taxis will not pull up if it is not safe to do so, so avoid standing too close to bus stops, pedestrian crossings, level crossings, traffic lights, etc. Never shout, “TAXI!” at a black taxi while it is moving. This is against the law and taxi drivers will not stop for you unless you stick out your arm to hail them.

[@derekclark5324]

Hi Tom just a quick one why would a trip from Tower of London to Haymarket was £16 but on the way back it was double from the same place and they did the same route

[@skoodledoo]

I'm a Londoner Tom, but you might want to change what you put about cab being "free". Most know you mean available not cost-free, so you might want to differentiate from that just for the international viewers you have.

[@Vickix1185]

Hey Tom, any tips for those travelling with a disability? I’m visually impaired and often struggled when in London as I can’t always see the hire light. I’ve also travelled with a wheelchair user before which has its own challenges. Any tips for the next time I visit from the Midlands?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

If coming in at a major station do ask the accessibility staff, they are always helpful to get you a cab from the rank 👍🏻

[@Vickix1185]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver thank you so much, I have to say assistance in London can be a real mixed bag and I’ve often had to wing it on my own. Just seen another of your videos that mentioned the old rank at Euston - this was the first rank me and my friend (wheelchair user) ever used and we were like a deer in the headlights! Thankfully the cabbie at the front spotted us and shouted us over! I have some questions about some experiences I’ve had with cabs in London and elsewhere over the years, so you have an email address for people to contact you as I’d love to pick your brains :)

[@Vickix1185]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver thank you so much, I have to say assistance in London can be a real mixed bag and I’ve often had to wing it on my own. Just seen another of your videos that mentioned the old rank at Euston - this was the first rank me and my friend (wheelchair user) ever used and we were like a deer in the headlights! Thankfully the cabbie at the front spotted us and shouted us over! I have some questions about some experiences I’ve had with cabs in London and elsewhere over the years, so you have an email address for people to contact you as I’d love to pick your brains :)

[@phillipstafford2410]

Not from London or UK, curious how this would work for a person with little or no vision, my limited experience with cabs is with services that are call only (similarly with a bus, in NA the buses stop automatically if your at a bus stop)

[@gamerduder9425]

im planning another trip to London this July im doing a few videos for my other youtube cannel The Alba Galavanter im staying at the Sara Hotel i was wondering how much a cab would cost from Victoria coach station i was also wondering how far it is?

[@oneteaminbristolbcfc]

I get confused sometimes when I pass a bus stop and people are putting there arm out and I think “oh great…” only to look in the mirror as I start to pull over to see a bus behind me😊

[@eatinghealthy2893]

yes I get xx

[@IseyWasTaken]

Not sure why im watching this while ive lived in london for my entire life and use taxis everyday

[@johnorchin8567]

Probably for the same reason you would watch a video telling you how to make the perfect cup of tea.

[@georgebaker1486]

Your efficiency tips I thought was decent manners. Who gets in a cab before saying where they wanna go through the window? Guess I'm gifted in the art of ettiquette. I don't know why i've naturally done that.

[@MatrixFuse]

Personally, I just pull my trousers down to hail a taxi. Gets their attention dead easily, but they often drive off for some reason...

[@lwiindiwillard7174]

Hi Am looking for a second hand London taxi. Zambia-africa

[@georgebaker1486]

Decent thumbnail change!

[@jaychow5220]

Why don't using taxi app?

[@CallieMasters5000]

Once I saw a teenager stick out her hand on the opposite side of Oxford Street, the cab makes a u-turn in the street to pull right up to her, and then all she did was ask for directions or some general info and she didn't hire the cab. Wouldn't that annoy the hell out of you as the driver?

[@MrStefzor]

Hey Tom, love the vids - nothing more than sitting back and watching your working day vids driving customers around. When can we expect At Work With a London Taxi Driver - Friday (Part 5 of 5) to drop?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Hopefully in the next few weeks 😊

[@clarenceishmael9615]

This new minicab generation have no idea how to interact with a taxi driver. The arm pointing forwards rather than straight up is virtually invisible to the driver and unfortunately customers expect to jump in the back first rather than instruct the driver at the nearside window the traditional way.

[@thekerryman]

Re the Americans wasn't it illegal to hail a mini cab back in the day?

[@michaelwood3099]

Who would have thought getting a taxi was that complicated, perhaps punters need to do the the hailers knowledge.

[@Zazzri]

Your first scene is the biggest problem. I want to support cabbies but so often when I need one I never seem to see any, its what turns many to the other forms of transport

[@gp1207]

hey did u give your first job as taxi driver for free ?

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Long Lane to Fore Street, was around £3.40 haha!

[@gp1207]

@@TomtheTaxiDriver lol

[@louiem2]

I was once drunk in Covent Garden. Jumped into an unlicensed cab and stupidly paid £20 to get to Trafalgar Square. Lesson learned.... i stopped drinking and found God! 🙃 (The first part is true)

[@Titot182]

How to hail or how to heil? Is there a certain angle and straightness that needs to be avoided? Asking for a friend in the chelsea firm

[@TripsandFeasts1]

Very interesting as usual Tom. However, as I’m sure you know, London, even central London, is not full of double yellow lines, far from it. I’ve chauffeured in London since 2006 and it saddens me to say that the standards of the black cabbie have gone down quite a bit since I started. I see black cabbies do things now that they rarely did back in the day. Picking up clients and causing an obstruction like stopping on double yellows is one thing, but I’ve seen plenty of your colleagues drop off clients in the most stupid of places. Due to the fact that the client can easily take a couple of minutes to pay, that’s a couple of minutes of obstructing traffic. TFL officers aren’t on the streets as much as they used to be pre-covid and many of your colleagues are guilty of selfishness and causing an obstruction. I never let a client tell me where to drop off, unless a wheelchair is involved. I hope you agree with me.

[@divaqueen7898]

This is something your Mammy and Daddy sub-consciously teach you going up, but having watched this video, I can see why is would be problematic for visitors.

[@AnglOsAxOn2]

Black cabs are apart of London and should always be, uber cabs are destroying Black cabs. As such Black cab prices have increased.

[@GTLPT]

I was on my way home from a concert, and a LEVC TXE came, had it's light on, but did not stop, obviously, that problem with the light looking illuminated when not actually had occurred, but then 2 minivan taxis rolled up, the first one came up, but another guy jumped all over that one, but the second one saw me. I was not aware the driver was stopped for me, I thought he was just stopped for the turn, but he honked us to go over to him, check he could do it through the window, and it was a success.

[@edinburghandbeyond]

Ur title should say the correct way to hail a taxi in the UK not just London unless London has a different way to hail a taxi lol

[@johnhehir508]

The most important thing to do when hailing a taxi .is to stand on the pavement and not in the road😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@adiano4166]

I have decided i do not like the thumbnail of this video

[@TomtheTaxiDriver]

Why?

[@Alastair_]

Your new haircut makes you look like a Christian youth worker.

[@prlben1255]

might wanna rethink the picture for the video lad. Love your videos but you look like a guy who's name rhymes with Witler 🤣🤣

[@ValeryValWho]

So according to your thumbnail, we need to do the nazi salute to get a taxi, right? 😜

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

next up - how to go to the toilet.

[@Agonar81]

1st

[@rumelahmed4539]

The correct way is to raise your middle finger at them.