Mike Hughes wrote:

Which is where the touts are ready to pounce. That's why it's safer to
use a proper licensed taxi from the rank which is controlled by the BAA
agents.

Lol, get into the car of one of the touts claiming to be your driver.
When you get to the other end, tell them it was booked on account.

No, seriously, it's now licensed just like taxi drivers except that the
drivers don't need to pass "the knowledge". The taxis have the
advantage that they can ply for hire on the street whilst mini-cabs (or
"private hire") cars have to be booked through their official operator.

Since the licensing of minicabs the advice about their prices is no
longer as clear cut as some would believe. Many of them charge more -
and in some cases a lot more - than the metered rate. Their prices have
risen because they have found that licensing involves costs which the
traditional taxis have always had (proper insurance, vehicle testing,
PCO costs, etc).

They have always required 3rd party insurance. The vehicle testing is
now heavier than it used to be - I think they require a 6-monthly test
rather than just the regular MOT, and the cars carry a green badge if
the test has been passed. Note that the green badge on the car is NOT
an indication that the driver is licenced. The driver should carry his
own ID badge.

As for the price, the operator will set the price in advance, usually
based on the distance between the postcode zones.

There is also a reduction in the numbers of minicab
drivers as previously many of them were working outside of any legal
framework. To attract people and keep them operators are having to put
up their prices.

Actually the fact that there are fewer of them would benefit the
drivers who would be spending more time working and less time hanging
around. The major problem is that the majority of the operators only
get business from their local area and the drivers have to return to
base empty. In fact networking the smaller operators together and
limiting the number of hours that a driver is allowed to work would be
the best thing they could do next for the business. Note that I think
the hours that a black cab driver is allowed to work should also be
limited, and these limits should be the same as those that apply to bus
and lorry drivers (and should apply to delivery van drivers too).

Basically, if it seems very cheap there is every chance that the driver
and/or vehicle may not be properly licensed and insured.

Less likely than before now they are licenced.

I believe that the OP is a female who *may* be coming to the UK for the
first time (correct me if I'm wrong please). In these circumstances I'd
suggest that she uses a taxi rather than any minicab company as she
doesn't have any knowledge about them. If she's able to get one from
*personal* recommendation (rather than off this thread) then she *may*
wish to use them - but can she be sure it's properly licensed and
insured?

Yes, if someone else books one for her. In fact it might be a good idea
to book a cab from the Blackheath area as they are more likely to know
the best route. Friday night is a busy night but it tends to get busy
later on.

Mike Hughes
A Taxi driver licensed for London and Brighton
at home in Tarring, West Sussex, England