Have you lost something in a London taxi ? Find out how to report a lost item with Transport for London’s taxi and private hire lost property service.
About London Taxis and TfL
London’s licensed black taxis officially known as hackney carriages are regulated by Transport for London (TfL) and are one of the most recognised forms of transport in the city. There are around 15,000 licensed black cabs operating in London, with drivers required to pass the Knowledge of London one of the most demanding taxi licensing tests in the world. Black taxis can be hailed on the street, found at taxi ranks, or booked via app, operating 24 hours a day across Greater London.
TfL also regulates private hire vehicles (minicabs), which operate through licensed operators such as Uber, Bolt, and many smaller firms. For items left in minicabs, contact the specific private hire operator directly. For black cabs, TfL’s centralised lost property service provides a single point of contact regardless of which taxi you were travelling in.
What Should You Do If You’ve Lost Something in a London Taxi ?
If you realise the loss immediately after your journey, try to note the cab’s licence number (on a yellow plate at the rear of the vehicle) or the receipt number if you paid by card. This information significantly speeds up recovery.
Items left in licensed black cabs are submitted by drivers to the TfL Lost Property Office in South Kensington, usually within a couple of days. Allow 48 to 72 hours for the item to be logged before visiting in person.
How to Report a Lost Item in a London Black Cab
Contact TfL’s Lost Property Office at 63-81 Pelham Street, South Kensington. Provide the date and time of your journey, your pick-up and drop-off locations, any details of the cab such as the licence number, and a full description of the item. TfL’s system is shared with bus and other TfL services, so a single report covers all TfL modes if you are unsure where the item was lost. You can also complete and send in the Lost Item Report Form on our platform so that our team can assist you in reporting your lost item(s).
What About Items Left in a Minicab or Ride-Hailing Vehicle ?
For items left in a licensed minicab or ride-hailing vehicle (such as Uber or Bolt), contact the operator directly through their app or customer service. Each private hire operator has its own lost property procedure and does not share a lost property service with TfL black cabs. TfL’s Lost Property Office covers black cabs and TfL public transport services only.
Tips to Efficiently Report a Lost Item
- Note the cab’s licence plate or yellow badge number if possible
- Record your pick-up and drop-off addresses and approximate time
- Keep your card payment receipt if you paid by card – it may include a journey reference
- Describe the item fully : colour, brand, type, and any identifying features
- Allow 48-72 hours before visiting in person – items need time to reach the office
Contact the TfL Lost Property Office
London Taxi Lost Property Office (TfL)
Address : 63-81 Pelham St
South Kensington
London SW7 2NJ
Opening hours : Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
The office is closed on weekends and bank holidays. Items lost at the weekend can be reported online at any time and will be reviewed when the office reopens on Monday.
Can You Recover Your Item After Leaving London ?
Yes. If you’ve already left London, contact TfL’s Lost Property Office during weekday hours to check whether your item has been found. For international visitors, discuss forwarding options with the team courier arrangements may be possible for valuable items. A phone call directly to the office is the most effective approach for high-value items such as passports or medical equipment.
Recent Items Lost in a London Taxi
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Plastic bag with aftershave and perfumes and other small items in flight from London Gatwick airport to Belfast airport (UK)
Description of lost item(s) : A plastic bag with aftershaves perfume, red London bus toy keyring and other small items. A picture of two women in a London taxi at Madame Tussaud’s…
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Spectacles in grey case in London taxi (UK)
Description of lost item(s) : Prescription lenses in full size wire frames in grey hard case Location of loss : Euston Station Date of loss : 05/14/2026 I found this / these…
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Sierra blue iPhone 13 Pro Max with navy-blue case in a black London taxicab (UK)
Description of lost item(s) : A Sierra blue Apple iPhone 13 pro max in a navy-blue case. On the back of the case there’s a small pin and small red airtel sim…
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Black 2016 iPhone in a London taxi (UK)
Description of lost item(s) : In a london black cab pick up terminal 5 heathrow on 8yh July 2025 drop off at Hilton Hyde Park at approx 13.30. Left the phone in…
Information Last Updated On :
If you have lost one or several item(s), you will find information on how to contact a lost and found property service on this page. Contact information following the loss of an item
Name : London Taxi Lost Property Office 
Address : 63-81 Pelham St, South KensingtonLondon SW7 2NJ
Phone number : +44 343 222 1234 
Opening hours : Monday-friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm 
Website : https://london-taxi.co.uk/lost-property/
List of the main items found
- Lost Personal Items : Keys, ID, Passport, Wallet, Documents, Badge, Licence (...)
- Lost Electronics : Phone, Tablet, Device charger, Camera, Laptop, Headphones (...)
- Lost Accessories : Purse, Bag, Backpack, Sunglasses, Eyeglasses, Jewellery (...)
- Lost Clothing : Gloves, Cap, Hat, Scarf, Sweater, Coat, Vest (...)