Tamworth Borough Council has issued some advice for passengers travelling in taxis:
- If possible, plan your journey in advance and book a taxi. If you do book a taxi, use a reputable firm. If you haven’t booked a taxi, always carry a reputable taxi telephone number with you.
- If you flag a taxi or get into a taxi on the taxi rank, make sure the driver is wearing a valid identity badge. Never get into an unmarked vehicle and if you’re in any doubt, don’t get into a vehicle.
- When travelling alone, sit in the rear seat behind the driver and when you arrive at your destination, ask the driver to wait and watch until you are safely inside. If possible, try and travel with a friend and always let someone know what time to expect you home.
The council issues two types of taxi licences: Hackney Carriage Vehicles and Private Hire Vehicles.
Hackney Carriages:
- Do not have to be pre-booked and can be flagged down off the street or park on a ‘taxi rank’.
- The taxi will display a ‘Taxi’ sign on the roof and the licensed driver must wear their identification badge at all times.
- They are fitted with meters which show the price of the fare. Drivers are not allowed to charge more than the shown fare at the end of the journey, but can charge less if they choose to do so. They must, by law, put the meter on.
- Will display a red plate at the rear of the vehicle, stating the licence number and how many passengers the vehicle is licensed to carry.
Private Hire Vehicles:
- Can only be hired by a booking made through a licensed Private Hire Operator.
- The fare of the journey must be agreed between the Private Hire Operator and the passenger when booking the journey.
- They cannot park on a taxi rank or be flagged down from the street. This invalidates their insurance policy. Any person witnessing this should report it to Tamworth Borough Council’s Licensing Team on 01827 709709.
- Private Hire Vehicles’ licensed by Tamworth Borough Council, display a yellow plate at the rear of the vehicle, stating the licence number and how many passengers the vehicle can carry. They also display a notice which states ‘advanced bookings only’.
- A vehicle not displaying their licence plates or the driver not wearing their badge, should not be used in case they are bogus, un-checked and un-insured.
If you are approached by someone in the street, offering you a lift, ignore them as this is classed as touting and is illegal.
Let the council know if you are concerned about a defect on a vehicle i.e. door handles, doors not opening, crack in windscreen.
Please report any concerns you have regarding an operator, vehicle or driver that you have used, or propose to use, to the Licensing Team on 01827 709709.