Vehicle design Hackney carriage

historically four-door saloon cars have been highly popular hackney carriages, disability regulations growing in strength , councils offering free licensing disabled-friendly vehicles, many operators opting wheelchair-adapted taxis such london taxi company (lti). other models of specialist taxis include peugeot e7 , rivals fiat, volkswagen, metrocab , mercedes-benz. these vehicles allow 6 or 7 passengers, although models can accommodate eight. of these minibus taxis include front passenger seat next driver, while others reserve space solely luggage.

many black cabs have turning circle of 25 ft (8 m). 1 reason configuration of famed savoy hotel: hotel entrance s small roundabout meant vehicles needed small turning circle in order navigate it. requirement became legally required turning circles london cabs, while custom of passenger s sitting on right, behind driver, provided reason right-hand traffic in savoy court, allowing hotel patrons board , alight driver s side.

the design standards london taxis set out in conditions of fitness, published transport london. first edition published in may 1906, public carriage office, part of metropolitan police. these regulations set out conditions under taxi may operate , include regulating taximeter (not compulsory until 1907), maximum age of taxi (not more 15 years), advertisements , turning circle of 8.535 m (28 ft).

as part of transported design programme of activities, in 15 october 2015, after 2 months of public voting, black cab elected londoners favourite transport design icon.