Purpose-built taxis
Black cab insurance for purpose-built hackney carriages
Black cab insurance covers purpose-built hackney carriages, from older diesel cabs to electric range-extender models. Repair costs and off-road time are what set it apart.
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Purpose-built cabs, diesel or electricBlack cab insurance at a glance
Black cab insurance is public hire taxi insurance written for purpose-built, wheelchair accessible hackney carriages. These cabs cost more to buy and repair than a saloon, and parts can take longer to source, so insurers rate them as a specialist vehicle.
Most black cabs work in London under a TfL licence, but purpose-built cabs are also licensed by councils across the UK.
Black cabs in numbers
Sources: TaxiPoint (20 August 2026) · Department for Transport (13 August 2026) · CITTI Magazine (21 December 2023). Full list at the bottom of this page.
Why black cabs are insured differently
A purpose-built cab carries a wheelchair ramp, a tight turning circle, a partition and, on newer models, a battery and range-extender engine. Each adds to the repair bill after an accident and to the time the cab is off the road.
In London, TfL requires taxis licensed for the first time to be zero emission capable[3], and more than half of the capital's cabs had made the switch by the end of 2023. A newer electric cab is worth considerably more than an older diesel one, which changes the comprehensive part of the premium. See electric taxi insurance for battery and charging points to check.
An ageing trade and what it means for cover
London's licensed taxi drivers are getting older. TfL records from January 2026 show 59.2% of drivers were aged 56 or over and only 0.4% were aged 21 to 30[1]. Insurers take age and experience into account, and many long-serving drivers hold a strong taxi no claims bonus.
Cabs are often double-shifted, with one driver on days and another on nights. That needs named driver or any driver cover for every licensed driver who uses the cab.
What to declare for a black cab
- the cab model and year, and whether it is electric, range-extender or diesel
- wheelchair ramps, swivel seats and other accessibility equipment
- meters, roof signs, card readers and CCTV
- whether the cab is owned, financed or rented from a garage
- every driver who works the cab
Black cabs are public hire vehicles, so the base cover is public hire taxi insurance. Most are also wheelchair accessible taxis, which adds its own questions.
What insurers look at
What affects the price of black cab insurance
Every insurer weighs these differently, which is why quotes for the same driver and car can vary.
- Model and valueNewer electric cabs cost more to repair and replace.
- Repair timesSpecialist parts and approved repairers can mean longer off-road periods.
- DriversSingle-driver cabs and double-shifted cabs are rated differently.
- Rank and hail workCentral London and night work carry their own patterns.
- EquipmentRamps, CCTV and meters add to the value insured.
- Claims historyYears of claim-free cab work count in your favour.
FAQs
Black cab insurance questions
What is black cab insurance?
It is public hire taxi insurance for purpose-built hackney carriages, the traditional black cab. It reflects the higher value, repair costs and accessibility equipment of these vehicles.
Is insurance different for an electric black cab?
Often yes. A newer electric or range-extender cab is worth more and has a battery and charging equipment to cover, which can change the price.
Can two drivers share one black cab?
Yes, with named driver or any driver cover. Each driver must be licensed for the cab.
Do I need a replacement cab if mine is off the road?
It is not automatic. A licensed replacement cab is an extra on many policies and worth checking, because a standard courtesy car cannot take fares.
Are black cabs in London required to be electric?
TfL requires taxis licensed for the first time to be zero emission capable. Older cabs already licensed can carry on until they reach the age limit.
Sources
Figures on this page come from the sources below. Each was checked on 11 November 2026; figures may change when a source is updated.
- TaxiPoint, London taxi retirement timebomb as six in ten cabbies are now aged 56 or over, 20 August 2026.
- Department for Transport, Taxi and private hire vehicle statistics, England: 2026, published 13 August 2026.
- CITTI Magazine, More than half of London's black taxis are zero emission capable, 21 December 2023.
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