Thanks to the Hail-A-Taxi pilot program  that is now in place, you can easily hail a taxicab in a "test" portion of Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles. The HAT Pilot Program makes it legal for taxicabs to stop at restricted zones – including red zones – to pick up passengers that have hailed a taxicab. Prior to this program, such a stop could result in the taxicab drivers receiving tickets and fines from law enforcement personnel.
 
The Boundaries
The boundaries of the HAT Pilot Program in Hollywood are Franklin Avenue on the north, DeLongpre Avenue on the south, LaBrea Avenue on the west and Argyle Avenue on the east. Just because the Hail-A-Taxi Pilot Program isn’t in effect in all of Hollywood, doesn't mean you can't hail a taxicab outside of the "test" boundaries. You most definitely can! Just know the rules - drivers don't have the authorization (as they do in the "test" boundaries) to pull over in restricted and red zones; and they most likely won't make an exception for you.
 
Pilot Program Dates
Phase I of the HAT Pilot Program went into effect on Aug. 1, 2008 and ended on Jan. 31, 2009. Phase II kicked off on Feb. 1, 2009 and ended on Jan. 31, 2010. In March, 2010, LADOT reported that they were very pleased with the feedback received on the HAT Program in Hollywood and planned to recommend to city council that the pilot program become a permanent fixture in Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles. During an April 1, 2010 press conference, Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti announced plans to introduce the motion before the end of April.