Licensed Taxis
The Taxi Directory – The difference between an unlicensed vehicle and a licensed or authorised taxi or private hire vehicle is your safety.
Every local authority or council has a taxi licensing department that issues the licenses for both the vehicle and the driver. Each licensing officer works from the same guidelines so throughout the country, with the exception of a few minor interpretations, the regulations that apply to the taxi and private hire trade are the same.
If we look at the vehicle it must be fit for purpose in a good standard of repair. Not only with a full mot certificate but most authorities will insist on a separate taxi test. This additional test is often required more than once a year, especially in older vehicles. This is a double check on the taxis road worthy ness and its general appearance, because of the high mileage a vehicle does each year, most average about 50000 miles that is nearly a thousand miles a week. This enables the licensing authority to ensure taxis operating in its area are of a uniform standard and above all safe for the driver and its passengers.
They also require copies of the taxi or private hire insurance policy. To ensure that it provides adequate cover, not only for the vehicle but also sufficient public liability cover, so in the event of an accident you are well covered. Taxi and Private Hire Insurance covers for hire and reward with most standard car policies this is not included. So if you get into an unlicensed minicab or taxi the chances are the vehicle, even if it has an insurance it will not be covered for use as a taxi and therefore illegal.
Once the taxi has meet all the requirements of its licensing authority it is given a numbered plate this shows the details of the authority who issued it, the vehicle details and number plate. It also shows the maximum number of passengers the taxi is permitted to carry and the expiry date of the license. It should be clearly displayed on the back of the vehicle. Please never ask a driver to exceed the maximum number of passengers as they will lose their job and the taxi will not be insured for that journey.
In addition to the vehicle the taxi or private hire driver are also licensed by the local authority. This requires the driver to have a full medical, usually every three years along with an enhanced criminal records police check to ensure the taxi driver is a fit and proper person to hold a license. Anyone with a criminal record for anything the licensing authority considers improper conduct will not be granted or will have his license removed, should this come to light during the frequent checks. This is again designed to protect the public travelling in taxis. Prior to obtaining his or her license new taxi drivers also have to undertake a taxi drivers test, that is in addition to holding a full UK driving license. Then they are also tested on how well they know there local area, the London Knowledge Test being perhaps the hardest and most well known. Once the driver has meet all the criteria required they will be issued with an identity badge it will show all their details and a photo and should be clearly visible for passengers to see.
So before you next take a ride in a taxi or private hire vehicle, for your safety ensure you check the taxi is displaying a valid plate on the back and that the driver identity badge is also in order. The Taxi Directory promoting safe travel in Taxis & private Hire.
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