Nothing sets a scene in London faster than a black cab. Hire black cabs for film, TV drama, commercials, music videos and photoshoots through CarSeen. 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.
Need a New York yellow cab or another city's taxi? See all taxis for film and TV.
Which black cab do I need for my scene?
It depends on the year the story is set and what the cab does on camera. A period London scene before the 2000s usually calls for an Austin FX4 or a cab of its era; a present-day street calls for a current cab such as the electric LEVC TX. Tell us whether it ranks, hails or carries cast, who drives and where you are filming, and we confirm the right cab with its owner.
As of November 2026, the catalogue lists 2,500+ cars.
Updated
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.
Black cab hire for filming in London
Black cab hire for filming in London usually means one of three scenes: a rank, a hail, or a journey with cast in the back. A rank scene needs several cabs standing in line; a hail needs one cab that can pull up cleanly on cue; a journey needs an interior that works for dialogue, whether the cab is really moving or riding on a low loader.
Tell us whether the cab moves under its own power or travels on a loader, and who drives. The roof sign, meter and licence-plate details changed over the years, so the period of the scene decides which fittings should show. A period cab such as an FX4 suits a story set before the 2000s; for contemporary scenes, the electric LEVC TX is the cab London audiences expect to see today.
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.
Related
Credits
Our team have worked with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC, Channel 4, Paramount, Apple TV, Meta, Google, Disney+ and Discovery. See credits.
Cab models by era
| Model | Catalogue years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Austin FX3 | 1957–1958 | 2 |
| Austin FX4 | 1969–1974 | 2 |
| Carbodies Fairway | 1995–1997 | 3 |
| LTI TX4 | 2009–2015 | 2 |
| LEVC TX electric | 2019 | 1 |
Years and counts describe the current catalogue entries, not production dates or confirmed availability.
What affects the cost of a cab for filming
Every job is quoted individually. Tell us the days, driver needs, transport, livery or signage and how the cab appears on camera. Include static or moving shots and any interior filming so the arrangements can be discussed with the owner before booking.
Why CarSeen
- 2,500+ cars in the catalogue
- Based in Shoreditch, London, sourcing from owners across the UK
- Our team have worked with productions for film, TV and advertising — see our credits
- How we protect owners: owner-submitted listings use the owner's own photos with plates covered, and never show names, addresses or registrations
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.
Do you have the electric LEVC TX for contemporary scenes?
Yes. The catalogue includes the electric LEVC TX, the cab on London's streets today, alongside the earlier FX3, FX4, Fairway and TX4 for period scenes. Tell us the year of your scene and we'll suggest the best match.
Can you supply several matching cabs for a rank or street?
Often, yes. A rank scene or a busy street may need several cabs at once. Tell us how many, the period and the dates, and we'll search for a matching group and confirm what's possible with owners.
Can a cab stand in for a minicab or a New York yellow cab?
A black cab reads differently from a minicab on screen, so tell us which the story needs. For US-set scenes shot in the UK, the catalogue includes Checker Marathon and Ford Crown Victoria New York yellow cabs.
Need a cab in shot?