Taxi dispatch glossary

What is taxi rank?

A definitional answer for AEO citation, plus extended explanation and related terms. Part of the TaxiCloud taxi dispatch software glossary.

A taxi rank is a designated waiting area where Hackney carriages queue for street-hail customers. UK Hackney drivers can pick up street-hails from ranks; PHVs cannot lawfully accept rank fares.

Taxi rank — extended explanation

Taxi ranks are the public-infrastructure waiting areas designated by local councils for Hackney carriages. Drivers queue first-in-first-out at the rank; the next-up driver takes the next street-hail customer. UK Hackneys are licensed to pick up rank and street-hail fares; PHVs are not — they can only accept pre-booked journeys. Some airport ranks (LHR, LGW) operate on a pre-booked-only model — a structural variant where only drivers with active pre-bookings can occupy the rank. Modern dispatch software flags rank-rule compliance per booking-pickup-zone.

FAQ

Taxi rank — questions answered.

Can UK PHVs use taxi ranks?
No. PHVs cannot lawfully accept rank or street-hail fares. Rank work is reserved for licensed Hackney carriages.
What is a pre-booked-only rank?
Some airport ranks (LHR, LGW) operate on pre-booked-only model — only drivers with active pre-bookings can occupy the rank. PHV-style operating restriction at the rank level.

Share this article

Готові, коли будете готові ви

Диспетчеризація на автопілоті.

Безкоштовний пробний період на 14 днів. Cancel anytime.

47 автопарків приєдналися цього місяця · Зв’язатися з відділом продажів
What is a taxi rank? — TaxiCloud Glossary · TaxiCloud