Nothing sets a scene in London faster than a black cab. CarSeen casts London taxis for filming: film, TV drama, commercials, music videos and photoshoots. Our catalogue has cabs from the 1930s to the current electric TX, plus New York yellow cabs for US-set scenes shot in the UK. We source from private owners, collectors and specialists, and handle the logistics to set.
London cabs by era
Choosing the right cab for the year is one of the easiest ways to make a London scene feel right.
- Pre-war. Upright 1930s taxis like the 1936 Austin 12/4 London taxicab, for period drama.
- Austin FX3 (1950s). The post-war cab, as in the 1958 Austin FX3. The Beardmore Paramount is a rarer alternative from the same era.
- Austin FX4 (late 1950s to 1990s). The classic black cab, built for decades with only small changes. See the 1969 Austin FX4 and more on the Austin page.
- Fairway (late 1980s and 1990s). The later FX4, badged Fairway, from Carbodies and London Taxis International. See the 1997 Fairway.
- TX4 (2000s and 2010s). The modern-era cab, as in the 2009 LTI TX4, and later from the London Taxi Company.
- LEVC TX (current). The electric cab on London's streets today. See the 2019 LEVC TX and more on the LEVC page.
Black is iconic, but cabs have also run in other colours and in full advertising liveries. Our catalogue includes white, cream and burgundy examples.
Not in London? For New York, see Checker Marathon yellow cabs such as the 1978 Checker Marathon and the Ford Crown Victoria NYC taxi. For Japan, there's the Toyota Crown taxi. Browse every taxi for film and TV.
Catalogue images are representative of each model. Your shortlist shows the real cabs available for your dates.
Filming with a black cab: what to plan for
- Picture cab or working cab? A picture cab is hired as a vehicle for the camera. It won't normally be a licensed, working taxi, so it can't pick up members of the public. Plan scenes with extras rather than real passengers.
- Period details. The roof "For Hire" sign, licence plates, meters and interior fittings changed over time. Tell us the year of the scene so we can match the details, and speak to your art department about signage.
- Interior filming. Many cab scenes are shot from inside: the driver, the passengers, and the partition between them. Ask for interior photos on the shortlist, and plan camera positions early. The rear compartment is roomy, but rigs need space.
- Driving shots. Dialogue in a moving cab is often shot on a low loader or with a tracking vehicle, which keeps cast safe and gives the camera freedom. On London roads, filming from moving vehicles involves the Metropolitan Police Film Unit. See our London picture car guide.
- Charges. Working taxis licensed by TfL have a Congestion Charge exemption, but a picture cab usually won't be licensed, so don't assume it applies. Older cabs may be exempt from the ULEZ if they meet TfL's historic vehicle rules. We check each cab and flag charges on your quote.
- Drivers. Some owners drive the cab on set; for other scenes a production driver or actor takes the wheel. We confirm who drives, and on what terms, before the shoot.
More London icons
Pair your cab with a Routemaster bus, a police panda car or a period street of 1960s and 1970s cars. See period cars for film.
Credits
Our team have worked with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC, Channel 4, Paramount, Apple TV, Meta, Google, Disney+ and Discovery. See credits.
FAQ
How much does it cost to hire a black cab for filming?
Every job is quoted on its own. The cost depends on the cab, the number of days, how it's used, transport and drivers. Send a brief and we'll confirm it on your quote.
Which black cab is right for my period?
It depends on the year of your scene: FX3 for the 1950s, FX4 for the 1960s to the 1980s, Fairway for the late 1980s and 1990s, TX4 for the 2000s and 2010s, and the electric TX for today. Tell us the year and we'll suggest the best match.
Can a picture cab pick up real passengers?
No. A picture cab is hired for the camera and won't normally be a licensed, working taxi. Use cast or extras as passengers.
Can you supply a New York yellow cab?
Yes. The catalogue includes Checker Marathon and Ford Crown Victoria NYC taxis for US-set scenes shot in the UK.
Can we film inside the cab while it's moving?
Yes, but moving shots on London roads are often done on a low loader or with a tracking vehicle, and involve the Metropolitan Police Film Unit. Plan it early with your production team.
Are the photos on your site the actual cabs?
No. Catalogue images are representative of each model. The shortlist we send shows the real cabs.
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