GMB Professional Drivers clarify terms used to describe different private hire vehicles

GMB Professional Drivers call for more clarity in using terms to describe different types of cabs and taxis

One of the consistent complaints from London taxi drivers we receive is the use of 'taxi' in articles that relate to private hire / minicab, says GMB London

GMB, the union for taxi and private hire drivers, have put together a glossary to clarify terms used to describe different types of cabs, taxis, and private hire vehicles.

• Hailed taxi – taxi, London or local jurisdiction, not minicab or private hire
• Hailed cab – taxi, London or local jurisdiction, not minicab or private hire
• Street cab – taxi, London or local jurisdiction, not minicab or private hire
• Street taxi – taxi, London or local jurisdiction, not minicab or private hire
• Taxi – taxi, London or local jurisdiction, not minicab or private hire
• London taxi – taxi, London or local jurisdiction not minicab or private hire
• Black cab – taxi, London or local jurisdiction not minicab or private hire
• Cab – taxi, London or local jurisdiction, not minicab or private hire
• Taxi cab – taxi, London or local jurisdiction, not minicab or private hire
• Private hire - chauffeur, minicab, pre-booked car
• Mini cab - minicab, pre-booked car
• Chauffeur - executive car or liveried chauffeur, EG BMW, Mercedes, Range Rover, Rolls Royce, Bentley or Jaguar
• Limo - stretch limo
• Pre-booked car / driver - minicab, saloon etc
• Booked car - minicab, saloon etc
• Executive car – pre-booked car eg Mercedes, BMW
• Uber – app-based private hire service

Steve Garelick, GMB Regional Officer said:

“One of the consistent complaints from London taxi drivers we receive is the use of 'taxi' in articles that relate to private hire / minicab.

“Often even if we use social media to draw attention to the article we are called out even though we did not write the piece.

“Press and TV often use the word ‘Uber’ for private hire. Shows that talk about getting an ‘Uber’ or ‘Ubering’ are giving free advertising to a non-tax paying company.

“Subsequently we decided it would be pragmatic to send out an advisory to the press.”

ENDS

Contact: Steve Garelick 07967 763 980 or GMB Press Office 07970 114 762