A taxi can be booked in advance or pick up passengers without a booking within its authorised operating area. A private hire vehicle, known in France as a VTC, must always be booked in advance. Another key difference is pricing: taxi journeys for private customers are subject to regulated fares, while private hire operators set their own prices.
For passengers, these practical differences matter more than the image associated with either service when deciding which to choose.
Taxi and private hire: a quick comparison
| Feature | Taxi | Private hire (VTC) |
|---|---|---|
| Advance booking | Available, but not always required | Required |
| Street pick-ups | Allowed within the authorised operating area | Not allowed |
| Taxi ranks | Yes | No |
| Pricing | Regulated fares for the journeys covered by these rules | Prices set by the operator |
| Taximeter | Yes | Does not use the same metered fare system |
| Planned journeys | Yes | Yes |
| Reimbursable transport for medical appointments | Available through an approved taxi service if the eligibility conditions are met | Not equivalent to an approved medical taxi service |
These are the general rules. The best option for you will depend on your departure point, destination and how you need the journey to be arranged.
Can you book a taxi in advance?
Yes. Advance booking is not exclusive to private hire services. You can book a taxi for a specific time and address.
The difference is that, within its authorised area, a taxi can also pick up passengers without a booking: either when hailed on the street or at a taxi rank. Outside that area, an advance booking is required.
For local journeys, see our Taxi in Dijon and Taxi in Beaune pages.
Why must a private hire vehicle be booked before the journey?
A private hire vehicle cannot be hailed on the street like a taxi, nor can it wait at a taxi rank for passengers without a booking. The journey must therefore be arranged before pick-up.
Private hire can be a good option when your plans are already known:
- a scheduled appointment;
- an evening out or an event;
- a long-distance journey;
- several planned stops;
- a pick-up at a specific time.
Our Private chauffeur / VTC page explains the service in more detail.
Are taxi and private hire fares calculated in the same way?
No. Taxi fares for private customers are regulated: maximum rates apply, and the vehicle uses a taximeter. Private hire operators set their own prices.
In its 2026 guidance, the DGCCRF, France's consumer protection authority, confirms that these fare regulations also apply to taxis booked in advance. A private hire fare may be agreed at the time of booking or calculated according to the provider's pricing terms.
Neither a taxi nor a private hire service can therefore be described as always cheaper. The comparison depends on the journey, the service requested and the pricing terms provided.
Taxi or private hire for a station or airport transfer?
Both can be used for a journey arranged in advance to a station or airport. In that situation, the most useful questions are often less about the type of service and more about the practical details:
- what time do you need to arrive?
- where is the pick-up point?
- how many people are travelling?
- what luggage will you have?
- do you need a one-way journey or a return trip?
For these journeys, see our station & airport transfers. VotreChauffeur.fr also has dedicated pages for transfers to Lyon Saint-Exupéry, Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle and Geneva.
Can a private hire vehicle replace an approved taxi for medical transport?
No, not under the reimbursement scheme for approved taxis. When transport is medically prescribed and eligible for cover by France's statutory health insurance system, Assurance Maladie, the vehicle used must meet the requirements of the relevant scheme.
A standard private hire vehicle is not equivalent to a taxi conventionné — a taxi approved under an agreement with Assurance Maladie. For information on prescriptions, prior authorisation and eligibility for reimbursement, see our Approved medical taxi service page.
So, should you choose a taxi or a private hire chauffeur?
Here are the main points to consider:
- you need a local taxi in Dijon or Beaune: explore our taxi service;
- you want a private chauffeur for a journey arranged in advance: private hire may suit your needs;
- your journey is mainly about catching a train or flight: see our transfer service;
- your company is arranging several journeys: see Corporate transport;
- you are unsure: simply tell us about your journey when you call.
VotreChauffeur.fr is a network of drivers in Burgundy offering several types of transport. You do not need to choose a service category before contacting us. What matters is understanding the journey you need to arrange.
Sources and regulations
Information checked on 13 September 2026:
- DGCCRF — Taxis, private hire vehicles and motorcycle taxis: economie.gouv.fr
- DGCCRF — Understanding regulated taxi fares: economie.gouv.fr