School Runs · Pick-Up & Drop-Off Across London
School Run Taxi Service in London
Reliable school pick-up and drop-off for busy London families. Pre-book a regular term-time run or a one-off journey with TfL-licensed, DBS-checked drivers, clean cars and child seats on request.
- TfL-licensed drivers with enhanced DBS checks
- Regular term-time bookings or one-off journeys
- Child and booster seats available on request
★★★★★ Rated 5.0 on Google · Call 24/7: 020 4625 5555
School run enquiry
Book a School Run
Add your child’s school, start and finish times and which days you need in the notes. We’ll call you to plan the details.
DBS-Checked
Every TfL-licensed driver
Term-Time
Regular daily school runs
Child Seats
Available on request
Since 1993
Trusted by London families
School Pick-Up & Drop-Off
A School Run Service London Parents Can Rely On
Getting children to school on time in London is rarely simple. Work starts early, siblings go to different schools, after-school clubs finish at awkward times and public transport is not always practical for younger children. Our school run taxi service gives you a pre-booked car and a licensed driver at the same time every morning and afternoon, so the school run stops being a daily scramble.
Soho Cars has been a licensed London private hire operator since 1993. We plan regular term-time school runs, one-off pick-ups when your usual arrangement falls through, and journeys to after-school activities, across every London borough. Every driver is licensed by Transport for London, which includes an enhanced DBS background check, and every car is clean, smoke-free and regularly inspected.
Ideal for
Families who need a dependable plan
- Daily term-time school runs
- After-school clubs and activities
- Siblings at different schools
- Boarding school term starts and ends
School Run Services
School Pick-Up and Drop-Off, Your Way
Every family’s week looks different. These are the school run bookings London parents make with us most often.
Most popular
Daily school runs
A regular morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up for the whole term, planned around your child’s timetable and booked once rather than every day.
Afternoons
After-school clubs
Football, swimming, music lessons or tutoring. We collect from school and take your child straight to their activity, then home again if you need. For busy days with several stops, hourly hire keeps one car with you.
Families
Siblings at different schools
One route that drops each child at the right gate in the right order, so you are not trying to be in two places at once.
Neighbours
Shared school runs
Families on the same street or at the same school can share a car. Tell us who is travelling and we will plan the pick-up order.
Boarding
Term starts and ends
Trunks, tuck boxes and sports kit to boarding school, or straight from school to Heathrow or another London airport for the holidays.
One-offs
Exam days, trips and back-up
A reliable car when your usual arrangement falls through, for early exam starts, school trips leaving at dawn or late returns.
Safety First
How We Keep Every School Run Safe
Handing over the school run is a big decision. These are the standards behind every journey we make with children on board.
Licensing
TfL-licensed drivers
Every driver holds a Transport for London private hire licence, and every car is a licensed private hire vehicle that is inspected for safety and roadworthiness.
Background checks
Enhanced DBS checks
To be licensed by TfL, private hire drivers must pass an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, the highest level of criminal record check in the UK.
Consistency
A familiar driver
Children settle faster when they recognise the driver. For regular runs, tell us you would like the same driver each day and we will arrange it wherever we can.
Collection plan
Clear hand-over
We agree the details with you in advance: who meets the driver, where at the school gate, and a password if you would like one, so your child only gets into the right car.
Comfort
Child and booster seats
Child seats are available on request, subject to availability. Tell us each child’s age when you book so the right seats are fitted before pick-up.
Clean cars
Smoke-free vehicles
Smoking and alcohol are never permitted in our vehicles, and every car is cleaned before it goes out, so children always step into a fresh cabin.
Have a question about safety, your child’s needs or how we work with schools? Call us any time on 020 4625 5555 and we will talk it through.
How It Works
Setting Up Your School Run
Most families are set up within a day or two. Call 020 4625 5555 or send the booking form and we will plan the details with you.
1. Share your timetable
Home address, school name, start and finish times, which days you need and any after-school clubs. Let us know how many children are travelling and their ages.
2. We plan the route and the car
We work out a pick-up time that allows for London traffic and any School Streets restrictions, and choose a car with the right seats.
3. Agree the hand-over
Tell us who will meet the driver at home and at school, and whether you would like a collection password.
4. Keep us posted
Let us know about inset days, early finishes, trips and illness. Changes and cancellations made at least 24 hours ahead are free of charge.
Timing
24/7 Service
Cars for Every School Run
A saloon or estate suits one or two children with school bags and sports kit. For larger families, shared runs or siblings with musical instruments, the VW Sharan seats up to six and the Mercedes Vito up to eight. Tell us how many children are travelling and their ages, and we will match the car and the seats.
Economy
VW Passat
Up to 4 passengers · 2 suitcases
Ideal for: Everyday journeys, station runs and nights out.
Economy Estate
VW Passat Estate
Up to 4 passengers · 3 suitcases
Ideal for: Airport runs with extra luggage.
People Carrier
VW Sharan
Up to 6 passengers · 3 suitcases
Ideal for: Families and small groups.
Minibus
Mercedes Vito
Up to 8 passengers · 6 suitcases
Ideal for: Groups, events and airport transfers with lots of luggage.
Executive
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Up to 4 passengers · 2 suitcases
Ideal for: Business travel and client pickups.
First Class
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Up to 3 passengers · 2 suitcases
Ideal for: VIP guests, roadshows and special occasions.
Need something different? We can arrange any vehicle on request. Call 020 4625 5555.
Good to Know
School Run Tips for London Parents
A few practical points that make a regular school run work smoothly from the first week of term.
01
Allow for London traffic
Morning traffic peaks just as schools open. We build a realistic buffer into pick-up times, so plan for an earlier start than the journey would take at quieter times.
02
Check for School Streets
Many London boroughs run School Streets, where roads outside schools close to traffic at drop-off and pick-up times. Your driver will use the nearest permitted spot and we will agree the meeting point with you.
03
Share the school calendar
Send us term dates, inset days and early finishes at the start of each term. It saves last-minute changes and makes sure a car is never sent on a day the school is closed.
04
Pack light for the car
Big sports bags, instruments and art projects are fine, but let us know in advance so we send a car with enough boot space.
05
Changes and cancellations
Cancel or change a journey at least 24 hours ahead free of charge. Later cancellations may be charged in full, in line with our terms and conditions.
06
Simple payment
Pay in cash or by any major card. For regular term-time runs, ask us about setting up an account so you are not paying journey by journey.
School Runs Across London
We run school pick-ups and drop-offs for state, independent and international schools across Greater London, from Westminster and Kensington to Croydon, Wimbledon, Hampstead and beyond. If your child’s school is in London, we can plan the run.
Central London
West London
North & East London
South London
Reviews
What Our Passengers Say
Real reviews from customers on Google.
FAQs
School Run Questions
Every family is different. Call us to talk through your child’s timetable, needs and the best way to set up your school run.
Are your school run drivers DBS checked?
Yes. All of our drivers are licensed by Transport for London, and the TfL private hire driver licence requires an enhanced DBS check. Every vehicle is also licensed and regularly inspected.
Can my child travel to school without an adult?
Please discuss this with us when you book. We will agree a clear plan covering who hands your child to the driver, who meets the car at the other end and whether you would like a collection password, so everyone knows exactly what will happen.
Can my child have the same driver every day?
For regular term-time runs, we arrange the same driver wherever we can, as children settle faster with a familiar face. If your usual driver is unavailable, we will let you know who is coming instead.
Do you provide child seats and booster seats?
Yes. Child and booster seats are available on request, subject to availability. Please tell us each child’s age when you book.
Can you do regular school runs for the whole term?
Yes. Most of our school run customers book a standing term-time arrangement. Send us your timetable and term dates and we plan the journeys in advance.
Can several families share a school run?
Yes. Neighbours and friends at the same school often share a car. Tell us who is travelling and the addresses, and we will plan the most sensible route.
What about School Streets and restricted roads?
Many London schools have School Streets that close roads to traffic at drop-off and pick-up times. Your driver will stop at the nearest permitted point, and we agree the meeting spot with you in advance.
Can you collect from after-school clubs and activities?
Yes. We can collect from school and take your child to clubs, lessons, tutoring or a friend’s house, then home afterwards.
What if my child is ill or the school is closed?
Let us know at least 24 hours in advance and there is no charge for cancelling. Cancellations with less notice may be charged in full.
Do you cover my area of London?
We run school runs across Greater London, including central, north, south, east and west London. Call us with your home and school addresses to check.