Hackney Carriage Vehicle (Taxi) Licence

What is the difference between a Hackney Carriage and a Private Hire vehicle?

The main difference between the two is that a Hackney Carriage is a London style cab, or purpose built vehicle and a Private Hire vehicle is usually a private saloon car. Only a Hackney Carriage can ply for trade or be flagged down, and the fares are approved by the Council. A Private Hire vehicle must be booked over the telephone or through the Operator's office, and must not display the words 'taxi' or 'cab' on the vehicle.

A Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence is required for any vehicle that will ply for hire, be flagged down or hired at a taxi rank. Once licensed, a taxi is always a taxi until the licence expires. These vehicles have a roof sign and display a white plate on the rear and interior of the vehicle.

The department issues Licences for both the vehicles and the drivers, and ensures that adequate insurance cover is held. High standards of safety are ensured, and complaints about overcharging or inefficiency, for example, are investigated.

Before a vehicle is licensed it must pass a garage taxi test to ensure its safety.

What conditions is the licence subject to?

Identification Plates

The Internal Licence Plate shall be displayed on the front nearside of the windscreen, or in the case of vehicles that have a partition, displayed on this partition. The External Licence Plate shall be firmly affixed and displayed on the rear of the vehicle with the information printed on the plate being clearly visible to the public at all. The identification plates shall remain the property of the Council at all times.

Vehicle Requirements

    Every proprietor of a vehicle shall ensure that:      

• The vehicle together with all its fittings and equipment, is kept in an efficient, safe, clean and tidy condition and all relevant statutory requirements are fully complied with, including in particular those contained in the current Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations;

• No material alteration or change in the specification, design, condition or appearance of the vehicle without the approval of the Council at any time while the licence is in force.
  

Passengers

The proprietor of a Hackney Carriage shall not convey or permit to be conveyed in a licensed vehicle any greater number of persons than that prescribed on the licence issued by the Council and on the licence plate affixed to the rear of the vehicle. The driver shall not allow there to be conveyed in the front of a Hackney Carriage, any child below the age of 10 years, or more than one person above that age. The driver shall not without the consent of the hirer of a vehicle convey or permit to be conveyed any other person in that vehicle.

Fire Extinguisher

These shall be provided and maintained at all times when in use as a licensed vehicle. It must be a suitable and efficient fire extinguisher (1.0 kg) to meet BSEN 31996 (BS 5423) which shall be securely fixed to the vehicle and to be readily visible and available for immediate use in an emergency.

Mobile Telephones

Mobile telephones may only be used with a hands-free kit. Ideally this kit should be a hard-wired, professionally fitted facility within the vehicle.

Taximeters

The proprietor shall ensure the vehicle is fitted with a taximeter approved by the Council, and that meter shall be maintained in a sound mechanical condition at all times. The taximeter shall be set for the current tariff agreed by the Council and shall be sealed to prevent unauthorised adjustment of that meter. The proprietor shall ensure the "For Hire" sign or other illuminated sign is extinguished when the fare commences, and the taximeter brought into operation.

Fare Tables

A copy of the current fare table shall be clearly displayed within the vehicle at all times, where it may be seen by any passenger.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in Hackney Carriage Vehicles at any time, regardless of whether there are passengers on board, or the driver is working at the time. All Hackney Carriage Vehicles must have on display a legal no smoking sign.

Vehicle Insurance

At all times during the currency of the Licence the proprietor shall keep in force in relation to the use of the vehicle as a Hackney Carriage, a Policy of insurance complying with the requirements of Part V1 of the Road Traffic Act 1984. The proprietor shall produce to the Council a new Certificate of Insurance or cover note within 7 days of the expiry of every Certificate of Insurance or cover note prior to renewal date.

Convictions

The proprietor shall within seven days disclose to the Council in writing, details of any conviction imposed on him (or, if the proprietor is a company or partnership, on any of the directors or partners) during the period of the insurance.

Change of Address

Any proprietor changing their address must inform the Council in writing within seven days of moving.

Renewing your Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence

To renew your vehicle licence you must bring the following into the Licensing Team:

• MOT pass papers from the authorised garage (these papers are valid for 28 days from the date of issue)
• Original insurance certificate or cover note (faxes or photocopies are not acceptable)
• Log book
• Old plate
• Application form