How to spot an official airport taxi (in 10 seconds)
Checked May 2026
SHORT ANSWER
Official airport taxis have: a posted rank outside arrivals, a uniform colour/livery for that city, a visible meter, a posted tariff card, and a driver ID badge with a photo. If any of those are missing, take the next one.
Every city's official taxi looks different — but the rules to spot one are universal. Here's how to vet a cab in 10 seconds.
Key things to know
- Uniform livery / colour for the city (yellow in NYC, black in London, cream in Dubai, etc.)
- Visible meter on the dashboard
- Posted tariff sticker on the window or visor
- Driver ID badge with photo, visible to passenger
- Queues at a marked taxi rank — never roaming arrivals
Practical checklist
- 1Walk past the arrivals hall — official taxis are always outside
- 2Look for a numbered queue / dispatcher
- 3Check the car has the city's official livery
- 4Confirm the meter is visible BEFORE getting in
- 5Take a photo of the driver's ID badge or plate
Common mistakes
- Trusting a generic 'TAXI' sign on a car windshield
- Trusting a uniformed person inside arrivals
- Ignoring the queue and taking a 'jumper' car
Red flags
- • No queue, just a man with a sign
- • Driver insists on negotiating before you sit down
- • Meter is covered, missing, or 'broken'
- • No taxi number on the door
WHERE THIS MATTERS MOST
FAQ
- What if there's no queue?
- Walk back inside the terminal and ask at the information desk where the official rank is. Don't take a curbside offer.
- Are 'minicabs' safe?
- Pre-booked minicabs are fine; minicab TOUTS inside arrivals are not. They're unlicensed for that pickup and uninsured.