Origins of the London Taxi:
Origins of the London Taxi:
Jul 20, 2025
Origins of the London Taxi:
The Hackney Carriage. By Dennis Perdicou.
Revised and updated July 4th 2025.
What’s a Hackney Carriage?
The name ‘Hackney Carriage’ doesn’t come from the East London borough of Hackney. Instead, it stems from ‘hackney’, derived from the French ‘haquenée’, a horse breed known for its steady gait and smooth ride. Possibly influenced by horses introduced during the Norman Conquest of 1066, ‘hackney’ referred to hired horses by the 14th century, then carriages, and eventually the iconic London black cabs we know today. This remarkable evolution has made London’s taxis the world’s oldest regulated public transport system!
Did you know!?
Coaches first rolled onto England’s streets during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign (1558–1603), revolutionising transport for passengers and goods. Owning a carriage was a luxury few could afford, so enterprising stablemen and footmen borrowed their employers’ carriages to offer stylish rides for a fee, often picking up passengers at bustling inns and taverns. It was a win-win: servants earned extra cash, and Londoners got around town in style!
A Typical 16th/17th Century Coach and Horses: Pic: Public Domain.
In the 1630s, Captain John Baily, a seasoned mariner, transformed the trade by establishing four licensed carriages with uniformed coachmen and fixed fares, creating the world’s first taxi rank near The Maypole in the Strand. This 100-foot (30-metre) pole, central to springtime folk festivals, stood between St Clement Danes and St Mary-le-Strand, near Covent Garden—a lively spot perfect for Baily’s groundbreaking taxi rank.
Later, Sir Isaac Newton bought this iconic Maypole for his friend, the Reverend John Pound, who erected it in Wanstead Park, East London, to support Europe’s tallest telescope at the time!
Dancing around a Maypole: Pic: britannica.com
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In 1654, Oliver Cromwell’s ordinance introduced licensing for hackney carriages, launching a regulatory system that’s never stopped. Despite tensions between the Fellowship of Hackney Coachmen and the Court of Aldermen, which led to the fellowship’s dissolution in 1657, licensing continued. By 1694, the Hackney Coaches Act increased licensed carriages to 700, cementing their place in London’s transport legacy.
The London Hackney Carriage Act of 1843 took things further, requiring all drivers—not just proprietors—to be licensed and wear a numbered metal badge while working, a rule still in place today! Drivers must even display their badge in court, whether as a witness or defendant. This act also established the Public Carriage Office (PCO), which oversaw licensing, knowledge exams, and vehicle inspections until Transport for London (TfL) took over in 2000.
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In 1897, the ‘Bersey’ (named after Walter C Bersey),—London’s first electric-powered taxi—hit the streets. With a top speed of 9 mph and heavy batteries, it earned the nickname ‘The Hummingbird’ for its quiet hum and its yellow-black livery. Only 12 were licensed, and their limited range led to their demise by 1900.
Tragically, a Bersey cab was involved in Britain’s first recorded motor vehicle fatality in September 1897, when nine-year-old Stephen Hackney was fatally injured after his coat caught in the cab’s driving chain whilst driving through Hyde Park.
The Bersey: aka The Hummingbird: Pic. collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
In 1903, the ‘Prunel’—London’s first petrol-driven cab—arrived. The PCO set strict chassis width limits at 23 inches, but Renault secured a dispensation for their 27-inch chassis, leading to 1,500 of their taxis being licensed by 1910. British manufacturers like Humber and Vauxhall tried to compete but couldn’t meet the PCO’s tough standards.
The Prunel Phaeton: 1903. Pic: 360carmuseum.com
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During the First World War, when French vehicle supplies halted, British manufacturers stepped up, supplying mechanised transport for troops. London buses were even sent to the front lines to ferry soldiers, showcasing innovation in a time of crisis.
In the Second World War (1939–1945), around 3,500 London taxis were repurposed as auxiliary fire appliances, fitted with ladders and tow bars for trailer pumps. Drivers, classified as A3 (Reserved Occupation), surrendered their licences to serve as firemen. Many risked—and some lost —their lives in this heroic, yet under-recognised, effort
The Beardmore: introduced in 1919. William Beardmore & Co. Ltd. Pic: lvta.co.uk
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London’s taxis are still bound by a historic six-mile rule, set in 1654 and measured from Charing Cross (Trafalgar Square). If a taxi’s yellow ‘TAXI’ sign is lit, drivers aren’t obligated to stop. But if they do stop within this radius, they can’t refuse a fare for a journey up to 12 miles (extended in 1968) or one taking less than an hour. Aspiring cabbies must master this six-mile radius through ‘The Knowledge’—a rigorous test of London’s streets. Learn more in my article “What it takes to be a London Cabbie”.
The London licensed taxi trade, operates under rigorous oversight by Transport for London (TfL), the regulatory body responsible for ensuring compliance with strict standards designed to uphold public safety, accessibility, and service quality. TfL’s regulatory framework governs every aspect of the trade, from driver licensing to vehicle specifications, ensuring that London’s taxis remain a hallmark of reliability and professionalism.
Did you know!?
New cabbies, are nicknamed ‘Butterboys’ which derives from ‘but a boy’, it reflects their rookie status.
And here’s a quirky fact: if a driver’s wearing a seatbelt, they’re likely not for hire! Drivers are exempt from wearing seatbelts when working, however, all the modern electric taxis won’t move unless the seatbelt is fastened.
In 1897, Gottlieb Daimler introduced the first taxi with a taximeter, the Daimler Victoria, in Germany. Paris followed with motorised ‘taximetres’ by 1899, and London and New York adopted them around 1907, shortening ‘taximeter cabriolet’ to ‘taxi’ or ‘cab’. The French term ‘cabriolet’ refers to a two-wheeled, horse-drawn carriage with a folding hood—hence why convertibles are called cabriolets today!
Gottlieb Daimler: 1897. Pic: Public Domain.
Research Sources:
•The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers (WCHCD)
•hiddenlondon.com
