Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles

The legislation that governs hackney carriage and private hire vehicle licensing is primarily contained within are the Town and Police Clauses Act 1847 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

Taxis are split into two categories – hackney carriages and private hire vehicles. Hackney carriages may be hired by being hailed in the street, from a taxi rank or by pre-booking; by contrast, private hire vehicles can only be hired through a pre-booking.

All hackney carriage drivers and vehicles and all private hire drivers, vehicles and operators are required to have licences before they can lawfully operate. In addition, since January 2008 limousines, airport travel, chauffeur services, novelty vehicles, executive hire, park and ride and other operators must also now be licensed.

Each local authority has its own application form and requirements, but these can include medical checks, knowledge tests, driving standards agency drivers’ tests, criminal records bureau checks and restrictions on the type of vehicle which can be used.

Operating a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle without a licence or in contravention of any of the licence requirements is a criminal offence.

Please call us on 01252 617119 to find out how we can assist you.