Why are taxis yellow
If you’re wondering: “Why are taxis yellow?” you’re not alone. The striking colour is a globally recognised feature of taxi transport, but how did this come about? In this blog, we dive into the history and psychology behind the yellow colour of many taxis.
A colour with a history
The tradition of yellow taxis began in the United States. In 1907, John Hertz founded a taxi company in Chicago and chose to paint his vehicles yellow. This new look was not a random decision: a study by the University of Chicago found that yellow was the most noticeable colour (at least, that’s what Hertz said). It made taxis more visible in busy city traffic.
The trend quickly spread. In the 1960s, New York City established regulations requiring official taxis to be yellow. Taxis now had to be the same colour as school buses. The yellow colour ensured passengers could easily distinguish a reliable taxi from illegal or unregulated vehicles. Since then, yellow has become the standard in many major cities worldwide.
The psychology behind yellow
Why are taxis yellow? It is because the colour immediately catches the eye. Yellow has a high reflection value, making it easily visible both during the day and at night. Moreover, yellow evokes feelings of energy, positivity, and speed—characteristics that perfectly suit taxi services.
Research shows that the human brain perceives yellow more quickly than other colours, even in busy environments. This characteristic makes yellow an ideal choice for vehicles that must be rapidly recognised.
Are taxis yellow throughout the world?
Although yellow is a popular taxi colour, there are variations worldwide. In London, the iconic ‘black cabs’ dominate the streets; taxis are usually beige-yellow in Germany, and in the Netherlands, taxi colours vary widely. Here, you can recognise official taxis by their blue licence plates.
Yet yellow remains widely used globally, especially in cities like New York and Mumbai. It’s the best colour for visibility and recognition.
What About Staxi?
At Staxi, drivers choose the colour of their vehicles themselves. We work with independent entrepreneurs who use their cars for taxi services. Instead of a uniform colour, Staxis are recognised by its blue license plates and excellent service. Moreover, Staxi was Amsterdam’s first major taxi company to introduce fixed fares for every pre-booked taxi, so you always know what to expect. Fixed price, no surprise!
Conclusion: That’s why taxis are yellow!
The question “Why are taxis yellow?” has a clear answer: it started as a clever marketing strategy and evolved into a globally recognised phenomenon. Yellow is the perfect colour for visibility and recognition. However, as Staxi demonstrates, it is not the only option. There, it’s not about the taxi’s colour but reliability, transparency, and service. So whether you step into a yellow taxicab or a Staxi vehicle, the most important thing is arriving at your destination safely and comfortably!
