The law relating to taxis and private hire cars

As well as being subject to general road traffic laws and other more general motoring requirements, those who operate and drive taxis or private hire vehicles are subject to several other provisions.

If you use a car or small minibus to carry passengers, and this is done for hire or reward, then you are required by law to have either a Hackney Carriage Licence or a Private Hire Licence. As to which will be required depends upon the nature of the business carried out, despite the fact that both are used to transport members of the public to a specific destination upon request, in exchange for payment of a fare.

The difference between taxis and private hire vehicles

Anyone who wants to operate a vehicle for the purposes of standing or plying for hire in a street will need a Hackney Carriage Licence for that vehicle. However, if they are going to restrict themselves to fares booked only by telephone or at a Private Hire office then a Private Hire Licence will suffice. Anyone who waits for passengers or picks them up in the street without a Hackney Carriage licence will be guilty of an offence.

Licensed taxis (to which Hackney Carriage Licences apply) are normally identifiable by illuminated signs on the roof and by other markings. They are allowed to ply for hire on any street and can be hailed by any prospective passenger or can park on approved taxi ranks whilst waiting for passengers. Taxis must be fitted with a taximeter which indicates the fare which the passenger can be charged and it is against the law for the taxi driver to charge more than is displayed on the meter.

Private Hire Cars (often referred to as minicabs), on the other hand are not allowed to ply for hire or stand on a rank. They can only be pre-booked with a private hire operator. The only marking which they are allowed to display is the Council’s licence plate on the rear

Licences

Before they can obtain a licence, all applicants must complete a strict application process which includes testing their knowledge of routes and locations, and carrying out Criminal Records Bureau and DVLA checks.

keepmedriving can assist you either if you have been refused a licence and wish to appeal against that refusal or if you have been prosecuted by the local licensing authority.

Contact keepmedriving either by completing the appropriate online information form which you will find in the Getting Help section, requesting a free, no obligation call-back using the call-back form to the right or by phoning us during office hours on 084 4804 4804