Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing

• Hackney Carriages (Taxis) and
• Private Hire vehicles,

both of which have to be licensed by the Council.

Hackney Carriages (Taxis)

All licensed Hackney Carriages:

• can be a purpose built Hackney Carriage or constructed or adapted to carry disabled persons, a saloon car, an estate or MPV displaying a roof and front door taxi sign and a white and green plate on the rear bumper.
• can stand on taxi ranks.
• can be hailed in the street.
• can be booked by telephone.
• must have a meter.
• are subject to fare scales which are set by the Council and which must be displayed in the vehicle. A meter fitted inside the vehicle calculates the precise fare.
• are subject to vehicle inspections by the Council's approved tester.
• must have current vehicle insurance for taxi work, a copy of which must be carried in the vehicle.
• can only be driven by Council licensed drivers.

Private Hire Vehicles

All licensed Private Hire Vehicles:

• can be a purpose built vehicles constructed or adapted to carry disabled persons, a saloon car, an estate or MPV a green plate on the rear bumper.
• must be booked in advance.
• are not subject to fare scales set by the Council. These must be agreed before your journey commences.
• are subject to vehicle inspection by the Council's approved tester.
• must have current vehicle insurance for private hire work.
• can only be driven by Council licensed drivers.

Drivers

All drivers have been vetted by the Council and must wear an identity badge. The vetting process includes a medical to DVLA group 2 standard, Enhanced Criminal Record Bureau Check, and a Knowledge Test of the area.
A photo badge is issued to all licensed drivers.
The badge will contain the following information:

• Council's logo.
• Driver's photograph.
• Driver's name.
• Driver's number
• Expiry date of licence.

Disabled Access Vehicles

Approximately 25% of licensed vehicles are accessible for standard wheelchairs. Some vehicles can accommodate the larger electric wheelchairs. If you require assistance booking specially adapted vehicles please call the Taxi Licensing Section who will be able to give details of appropriate vehicles. The telephone number is below.

Further information can be obtained by contacting us on:-

Licensing Help Desk - 01432 260973
e-mail - taxi-licensing@herefordshire.gov.uk
Taxi Licensing Section
Environmental Health and Trading Standards
Herefordshire Council
County Office
PO Box 233
Bath Street
Hereford
HR1 2ZF

Resources

Taxi Fees and Fares 2009/2010

Adobe PDF

14 kb

Passenger Guidance

Adobe PDF

29 kb

If you need help to understand a document, or would like it in another format or language, please call 01432 260500 or email info@herefordshire.gov.uk

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