Private Hire Vehicle (Minicab)
Private Hire Vehicles cannot ply for hire in the street or at taxi ranks. Journeys must be pre-booked, normally by phone or in person at a booking office. Failure to do so is an offence and invalidates the vehicle's insurance cover. Fares for private hire vehicles are not regulated by the Council - the cost of a journey will normally be based on a rate per mile or should be agreed with the company before the journey.
Private Hire vehicles must be licensed by the Council. They must not be in white livery, and must not have a roof sign affixed to the vehicle. Vehicles must not be of a type that could be mistaken for a Hackney Carriage.
The driver/proprietor of the vehicle must securely fix and keep maintained inside the vehicle, in such a position as to be visible at all times to the persons conveyed, the plate provided by Council, indicating the number of the licence for the vehicle, and the maximum number of passengers which the vehicle is authorised to carry.
The driver/proprietor of the vehicle must securely and keep maintained in a vertical position on the rear and on the outside the vehicle, the plate provided by the Council in respect of the vehicle so as to be clearly visible from behind the vehicle.
Copies of application forms and conditions and procedures in force may be obtained by contacting the Hackney Carriage Unit.
