All legitimate private hire vehicles and operators in London are now licensed by Transport for London (TfL) so that passengers can easily identify the legal minicabs.

The completion of licensing the 37,000 private hire vehicles marks the second phase of the process, which started with private hire operators who were licensed in 2001.

The final part will be the completion of private hire driver licensing, which started in 2003 and is due to be completed by summer 2006.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London said, “This is a major step in ensuring safer travel for Londoners. The private hire industry was unregulated for years leading to wide differences in the quality of vehicles and drivers. Passengers can now ensure they are using a legitimate minicab by checking to see that the vehicle carries a licence disk. Minicabs should not be hailed in the street and people should not use minicabs without a licence disc.”

Ed Thompson, Taxi and Private Hire Director, said, “We have now licensed all private hire operators and vehicles and we are on target to achieve the licensing of all drivers by summer 2006.

“Passengers should look out for the distinctive, yellow licence disc which should be displayed in the front and rear windscreens (top corners, nearest the kerb). It will have the licence number, car registration number, expiry date and the number of passengers it can legally carry.