Taxi Safety Taxi,Private Hire, & Airport Transfers
(Including Limos and Landaus)
Licensing Authorities in the UK

Would You Get Into A Strangers Car...Alone...At Night?
That Is Exactly What You Are Doing When Using An Unlicensed Cab or illegal Taxi.

  • Local Authorities Taxi Licensing UK


    • tax cab and private hire cars airporttaxis
    Taxi,Private Hire,Limos,Landaus & Airport Transfers Licensing Authorities in the UK

    Each corner of England Scotland Wales and Islands have taxis. In law these are divided into Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles. Despite the division, in general the public view them all as 'taxis'.
    There are considerable similarities between Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles but also some significant distinctions. Both transport members of the public to a specific destination upon request in exchange for payment of a fare. Public safety is paramount in the licensing regimes that govern these vehicles, their drivers and their operators.

    All vehicles must be licensed by one the Authorities below, before they can carry fare paying passengers
    (Local Government (miscellaneous provisions) Act 1976 Town Police Clauses Act 1847) and by-laws made in respect of Hackney Carriages. states that a council, before granting a hackney carriage driver's license must be satisfied that an applicant is a fit and proper person to hold such a license and that the applicant has for at least 12 months prior to the date of the application, been authorised to drive a motor car (that is, held a full driver's license for that period.)

     Should the need arise and you want to check a vehicle or driver is correctly licensed or want to make a complaint about a licensed driver or the service you have or have not received do so, in writing, to the Senior Licensing Officer at the relevant Local Authority below. You would need to include the drivers' licence plate number or badge number together with the date and time of the incident. If complaints refer to driving, please inform the Senior Licensing Officer and the Traffic Police if you feel the drivers' actions were dangerous. Compliments can be made in writing or by telephone to the Senior Licensing Officer. 




    Snippet: Changes on private hire and taxi licensing have been introduced by Broxtowe Borough Council as a result of a change in national legislation by the Government.

     

    Since 28 January 2008 Limousines, airport travel, chauffeur services, novelty vehicles, executive hire, park and ride and other operators must now be licensed by the Council.

    Snippet:Private Hire is when an operator takes bookings from customers and passes them on to licensed drivers and vehicles. Private Hire vehicles must always be pre-booked and should never be waived down in the street.
    If you undertake a journey in a Private Hire vehicle, which has not been pre-booked, you would not be insured in the unfortunate event of the vehicle being involved in any incident.

    DACORUM, DARLINGTON, DARTFORD, DAVENTRY, DENBIGHSHIRE, DERBY, DERBYSHIRE DALES, DERWENTSIDE, DONCASTER, DOVER, DUDLEY, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY, DUNDEE, DURHAM

    The Councils Licensing Dept has a duty to ensure that licenses to drive hackney carriages and private hire vehicles are only granted to �fit and proper� persons.

    In order to establish an applicant�s suitability to be licensed as a driver, the Licensing Section requires:

    • Successful completion of a Knowledge test, which includes basic understanding of written and spoken English, numeracy and local route mapping
    • Completion of an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service application (formerly CRB)
    • If necessary, a Certificate of Good Conduct from any Countries, outside of the United Kingdom, an applicant has lived in for the past 5 years
    • A medical examination

    EASINGTON, EAST AYRSHIRE, EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE, EAST DEVON, EAST DORSET, EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE, EAST HAMPSHIRE, EAST HERTFORDSHIRE, EAST KILBRIDE, EAST LINDSEY, EAST LOTHIAN, EAST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, EAST RENFREWSHIRE, EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE, EAST STAFFORDSHIRE, EASTBOURNE, EASTLEIGH, EDEN, EDINBURGH CITY, ELLESMERE PORT & NESTON, ELMBRIDGE, EPPING FOREST, EPSOM & EWELL, EREWASH, EXETER

     Every licensed driver is required by the council to undergo a regular medical check and enquiry with the Criminal Records Bureau. It is important that all licensed drivers are deemed to be fit and proper persons to hold a driver's licence. 

    • Always check that a driver and vehicle are licensed. You should not get into a vehicle which does not display the licence plate and window plates or if the driver is not wearing their identity badge. The "taxi" could be bogus and your personal safety might be at risk. An unlicensed vehicle will not be covered by insurance.
    • If either the driver, vehicle or operator are not licensed, they do not meet the Council's standards.
    • You should always check the likely cost of a journey when booking a Private Hire Vehicle. Private Hire Vehicles can only respond to previously booked calls (that is, you cannot put your arm out and shout "TAXI" and expect it to stop!!)
    • If you obtain a taxi (or Hackney Carriage) from the taxi rank or 'hail' in the street, you must pay the amount shown by the meter.
    • A vehicle must not carry more passengers than specified on the Licence Plate.
    • A licensed vehicle can only be driven by a licensed driver.

    GATESHEAD, GEDLING, GLASGOW CITY,GLOUCESTER, GOSPORT, GRAVESHAM, GREAT YARMOUTH, GUERNSEY, GUILDFORD, GWYNEDD

     Drivers are licensed for the protection and safety of the travelling public.
    They wear badges, which display a licence number, a photograph and an expiry date so that you know that they are properly licensed.

    HALTON, HAMBLETON, HAMILTON DISTRICT COUNCIL, HARBOROUGH, HARLOW, HARROGATE, HART, HARTLEPOOL, HASTINGS, HAVANT, HEREFORDSHIRE, HERTSMERE, HIGH PEAK, HIGHLAND COUNCIL, HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH, HORSHAM, HUNTINGDON, HYNDBURN

     A recent operation to stop and inspect taxis and private hire vehicles in Market Harborough in conjunction with the Police, Customs and Excise and licensing officers from Harborough District Council. Twenty four vehicles were stopped and inspected. Of these one vehicle was seized by the Police because it was being driven by an illegal unlicensed driver who did not did not have any insurance, another four were issued a fixed penalty notice.

    INVERCLYDE, INVERNESS DISTRICT COUNCIL, IPSWICH, ISLE OF ANGLESEY, ISLE OF WIGHT

    If you have any safety concerns over the conduct of a taxi driver or the state or a vehicle, please contact the council IMMEDIATELY.

    KENNET, KERRIER, KETTERING, KILMARNOCK & LOUDOUN DISTRICT COUNCIL, KINCARDINE & DEESIDE DISTRICT COUNCIL, KINGS LYNN & WEST NORFOLK, KINGSTON-UPON-HULL, KIRKALDY DISTRICT COUNCIL, KIRKLEES, KNOWSLEY

    Before a local Authority will grant a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle driver licence to an applicant,or allowing an existing driver to renew a licence or a driver to retain his licence following a review, this Council must be satisfied that person is 'fit and proper' to undertake those duties. To assist in establishing an applicant's fitness, the Council takes into consideration their past behavior, including any criminal record.
    The Council may consider an applicant's spent or live convictions, cautions, any complaint made against them or any unacceptable behavior in order to determine their fitness to hold a licence.
    Following consideration of any such convictions, cautions, complaints or behavior the Council will make a decision as to whether a licence should be granted or retained. In order to assist both applicants and existing drivers, guidelines have been prepared by the Council that provide clear information as to how such convictions etc. are considered. The Council will use these guidelines to make fair and consistent decisions when considering an applicant's suitability.

    LANCASTER, LEEDS, LEICESTER, LEWES, LICHFIELD, LINCOLN, LIVERPOOL, LOCHABER (HIGHLAND), LONDON, LOTHIAN REGIONAL COUNCIL, LUTON,

    By law, all taxis and private hire vehicles must agree to carry assistance dogs (for example guide dogs or hearing dogs) without a further charge. It is an offence for the driver to refuse to do so unless they hold a certificate of exemption.

    MACCLESFIELD, MAIDSTONE, MALDON, MALVERN HILLS, MANCHESTER, MANSFIELD, MEDWAY, MELTON, MENDIP, MERTHYR TYDFIL, MID BEDFORDSHIRE, MID DEVON, MID SUFFOLK, MID SUSSEX, MIDDLESBROUGH, MIDLOTHIAN, MILTON KEYNES, MOLE VALLEY, MONMOUTHSHIRE, MORAY, MOTHERWELL DISTRICT COUNCIL

    Enforcement
    Council Enforcement Officers regularly undertake periodic �spot checks� on taxis in the councils local areas ensuring that only licensed vehicles and drivers are operating.
    Joint working enforcement work iS also undertaken in conjunction with the Police, DVLA, Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA and Department of Works & Pensions (DWP) which also encompasses vehicle safety checks.


    OADBY & WIGSTON, OLDHAM, ORKNEY ISLANDS, OSWESTRY, OXFORD

    Lost Property in a Taxi or Private Hire Vehicle
    It is a licence condition that all drivers finding lost property in their vehicles to hand the items into the Transportation Office within 48 hours. If you have left your property in a licensed vehicle please report it to the Hackney Carriage Officer. Or in the case of a Private hire vehicle to the operators office.  Your details will be recorded and you will be contacted as soon as the driver has handed in your property. Please be aware that the driver is permitted to charge a small fee for the return of your property.
    It would be helpful in the event of an accident or other problem with your taxi or private hire vehicle, if you could include the following details in your complaint or other contact with the local authorities:
    • date and time of incident
    • location
    • short description of driver
    • make and model colour of car & any advertising on it (if known)
    • vehicle registration number (if known)
    • badge number (if known),
    • drivers name (if known),
    READING, REDCAR & CLEVELAND, REDDITCH, REIGATE & BANSTEAD, RENFREWSHIRE, RESTORMEL, RHONDDA-CYNON-TAFF, RIBBLE VALLEY, RICHMONDSHIRE, ROCHDALE, ROCHFORD, ROSS & CROMARTY (HIGHLAND), ROSSENDALE, ROTHER, ROTHERHAM, RUGBY, RUNNYMEDE, RUSHCLIFFE, RUSHMOOR, RUTLAND, RYEDALE

    It is an offence for a driver to impose additional charges other than those displayed, regardless of the size of the vehicle used or whether it is a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

    SALFORD, SALISBURY, SANDWELL, SCARBOROUGH, SCOTTISH BORDERS, SEDGEFIELD, SEDGEMOOR, SEFTON, SELBY, SEVENOAKS, SHEFFIELD, SHEPWAY, SHETLAND ISLANDS, SHREWSBURY & ATCHAM, SKYE & LOCHALSH, SLOUGH, SOLIHULL, SOUTH AYRSHIRE, SOUTH BEDFORDSHIRE, SOUTH BUCKS, SOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE, SOUTH DERBYSHIRE, SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE, SOUTH HAMS, SOUTH HOLLAND, SOUTH KESTEVEN, SOUTH LAKELAND, SOUTH LANARKSHIRE, SOUTH LANARKSHIRE, SOUTH NORFOLK, SOUTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE, SOUTH RIBBLE, SOUTH SHROPSHIRE, SOUTH SOMERSET, SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE, SOUTH TYNESIDE, SOUTHAMPTON, SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, SPELTHORNE, ST ALBANS, ST .EDMUNDSBURY, ST. HELENS, STAFFORD, STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS, STEVENAGE, STIRLING, STOCKPORT, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, STOKE ON TRENT, STRATFORD UPON AVON, STROUD, SUFFOLK COASTAL, SUNDERLAND, SURREY HEATH, SUTHERLAND, SWALE, SWANSEA, SWINDON

    If you follow these simple rules, travel by taxi should prove to be a safe and hassle free experience:

    Carry with you the telephone number of a company that you know is reliable.

    Check that any vehicle has licence plates before getting into it.

    Make sure you can see the driver's badge.

    If you are worried, ask to see it before getting into the vehicle.

    In a hackney carriage, check the meter has been reset by the driver before starting the journey.

    In a private hire vehicle, agree the fare before starting the journey.

    Never get in a vehicle if the number of passengers it can carry will be exceeded.

    Never get into a vehicle you suspect is unlicensed, or if you think the driver is unlicensed. 


    UTTLESFORD

    Limousine and novelty vehicles such as fire engines need to be licensed, either by local councils or VOSA (Vehicle Operating Standards Agency).


    In order to get a licence, all vehicles and drivers have to undergo rigorous safety checks to ensure the vehicles are roadworthy and properly and safely manufactured and the drivers are fit to drive customers around. This includes an extensive criminal record check. 


    Unlicensed limousines also have no valid insurance.
    Before hiring a limo make sure you're using a reputable firm.

    VALE OF GLAMORGAN, VALE OF WHITE HORSE, VALE ROYAL

    Any persons making Private Hire Vehicles available for hire requires a Private Hire Operators licence. This includes advertising private hire services in the press or online and handing out business cards.

    WAKEFIELD, WALSALL, WANSBECK, WARRINGTON, WARWICK, WATFORD, WAVENEY, WAVERLEY, WEALDEN, WEAR VALLEY, WELLINGBOROUGH, WELWYN HATFIELD, WEST BERKSHIRE, WEST DEVON, WEST DORSET, WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE, WEST LANCASHIRE, WEST LINDSEY, WEST LOTHIAN, WEST OXFORDSHIRE, WEST SOMERSET, WEST WILTSHIRE, WESTERN ISLES, WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND, WIGAN, WINCHESTER, WINDSOR & MAIDENHEAD, WIRRAL, WOKING, WOKINGHAM, WOLVERHAMPTON, WORCESTER, WORTHING, WREXHAM, WYCHAVON, WYCOMBE, WYRE, WYRE FOREST

    Can a taxi /mini cab driver smoke in their vehicles if they don't have any passengers?No. The legislation requires all vehicles used for public transport to be smoke free at all times. This is because tobacco smoke is absorbed into soft furnishings and stays around for weeks after a cigarette is stubbed out, releasing particles hazardous to health.
    Can drivers smoke in their own private vehicle?
    Yes, the regulations do not extend to vehicles used solely for private purposes and which is not used for public transport.

    Acts of Parliament

    • The main Acts of Parliament governing Hackney and Carriage and Private Hire Licensing are:-
    • Town Police Clauses Act 1847
    • Local Government [Miscellaneous Provisions] Act 1976
    • Transport Act 1985
    There are several other Acts that also have an effect on this type of licensing that are too numerous to list here.  However, if you have a query that cannot be satisfactorily dealt with by consulting the above taxi licensing authorities.

     

     

     

     

     

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