Have you ever considered using a black cab as a private car? With vehicles being decommissioned after 12 years, taxis are a great choice (unless you want to drive in a Ulez area!), here are what steps you must take to secure one of your own.
The classic Austin FX3 are likely to set you back as they are bought by enthusiasts, its successor the Fairway is also probably rare. My choice would be the TXI with a Nissen engine, one of the most reliable vehicles to ply London’s streets. The TXII, supposing an improvement, was a disappointment. The last iteration of diesel vehicles, the TX4 are now coming up for sale in some numbers as electric vehicles are replacing the fleet.
Black cabs, come in other colours, can carry five passengers in comfort (six if you add a front passenger seat, which is possible), and can easily turn in 25ft, that’s a boon in congested side streets.
How to modify the taxi so it’s fit for private use
First, you should ensure that you aren’t misleading people into thinking the black cab is for hire, you should remove any signage indicating that it is available for hire. If there is a plate still affixed to the vehicle’s rear this mustn’t be displayed. Paper ‘identifiers’ on the front and rear screens need also to be removed. However, I would caution against removing the roof ‘For Hire’ sign as water would certainly get through.
You may prefer to remove any no-smoking signs or similar from the inside of your vehicle, but it’s up to you. If a tariff notice and interior plate number remain you might like to keep them for the authentic cabbie look, and as they cannot be seen by the public you’ll not get into trouble.
How do I buy a black cab?
A quick search online will reveal that you can buy used black cabs from private sellers, or you might like to approach fleet owners who are now having to downsize, most independent cab garages could put you in touch.
Have a mechanic check the vehicle before you hand over any money, ex-taxis often don’t come with service histories, and the mileage will almost be on the high side.
How much does a black cab cost to buy?
An iconic London taxi can be bought for anywhere between £1,000 to £20,000. The price will depend on several factors, including the black cab’s mileage, age, and engine capacity.
License requirements
You don’t need a special license to drive a black cab unless you’re planning on becoming a cabbie. A standard driving license is all you need.
Taxi insurance for private use
If you’re buying a taxi for private use, you’ll need decommissioned taxi insurance for social, domestic and pleasure. Not all insurance companies offer this though. If you’ve decided that a black cab is the vehicle for you Adrian Flux provide quotes for all sorts of unusual vehicles, from former taxis to modified motors, bespoke vehicles and everything in between.
MoTs and servicing
A black cab will have seen many more miles than other second-hand cars, as such, it’s a good idea to get a service every 6,000 miles, just to make sure you keep your ex-hackney in tip-top shape. While London cabs now require two MoTs a year, only annual check-overs are required for private vehicles.
10 reasons why a black cab is the ultimate people carrier
They’re incredibly roomy – Black cabs have unrivalled passenger headroom and legroom, there’s plenty of space for shopping and luggage. The boot is quite small, but luggage can be stowed in various places in the passenger compartment and beside the driver.
The insurance is cheap – Most insurers will struggle to know how to rate your taxi, go to a specialist broker, you may find it's cheaper than a modern people carrier.
They’re cool – You’ll also be joining the ranks of celebrity cabbies – over the years, Sid James, Laurence Olivier, Stanley Kubrick, the Duke of Edinburgh, Stephen Fry and Kate Moss have all used a black cab as personal transport.
They’re safe – Black cabs are easily one of the safest car models on the road, that’s partly because they don’t go very fast. As a licensed passenger vehicle, safety was clearly of major importance when these cars were designed, and the result was a robust and safe set of wheels.
You can enjoy some peace whilst transporting the family – In a cab, simply close off the driver’s partition and turn off the intercom.
They’re good value – They will have been incredibly well maintained over the years, at one time the engine compartment required steam cleaning before its annual overhaul (the annual required inspection), my cab of choice with its Nissan 2.7 diesel engine, the TX1 is pretty bombproof and the chassis is incredibly robust. You can buy taxis from places like Elite London Taxis.
They’re accessible – All taxis from when the TXI was produced are wheelchair-accessible, and older ones might have been retrofitted. Access to and from the vehicle is good because of the large doors and spacious roof height.
Spare parts are cheap – Being ubiquitous parts are easily found and cheaper than mainstream vehicle manufacturers. Also, the body panels are cheaper than on most cars and bolt on and off, making repairs quicker, easier and cheaper.
They’re great for advertising – Black cabs are now well utilised as advertising mediums, with vast panels available for graphics. Here on CabbieBlog, we have featured vendors ranging from coffee stalls to ice cream vans. So, if you run your own business, black cabs are the perfect way to get about and plug your services at the same time.
Other cabbies give way – If you drive in London, genuine cabbies will let you out from a side turning, just ensure you reciprocate, or face a hard stare.
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