Latest Hackney carriage (taxis) and private hire FAQs from Warwick District Council.

Contacts and complaints about taxis

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:21:24 +0100

Question: Who do I contact if I have a complaint about a taxi?

Answer:

For problems with a Warwick taxi, go to our online complaint form
For problems with a Coventry taxi, go to Coventry's complaint form

If there's anything you're not sure of, please contact taxi licensing at;

Coventry on taxi.licensing@coventry.gov.uk
Warwick District using the licensing enquiry form or on 01926 456705

Taxi refuse journey

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:16:36 +0100

Question: Can a hackney carriage refuse to take me on a journey?

Answer:

Within the boundary of the local authority (e.g. Warwick Arts Centre to Earlsdon) a taxi (hackney carriage) driver cannot refuse to take you, irrespective of whether the journey is short, unless they have a 'reasonable excuse' for doing so e.g. if a potential passenger is drunk, is being threatening/abusive or refuses to extinguish a cigarette (as it is an offence to smoke in a taxi).
A taxi (hackney carriage) driver can also refuse to take you if the journey is going across the local authority’s boundary.

Wheelchair in taxis

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:14:37 +0100

Question: What if I am disabled and using a wheelchair? Does all of this information apply?

Answer:

Yes, providing your wheelchair is able to be carried safely and securely as per the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions.
All Coventry licensed hackney carriage vehicles are equipped for carrying most of the typical wheelchairs in use.
The majority of Warwick District council’s hackney carriages are wheelchair accessible.
Taxi (hackney carriage) drivers are obliged to provide assistance to wheelchair users e.g. putting wheelchairs in to vehicles, properly securing wheelchair users in the vehicle, loading luggage and removing wheelchairs and luggage at the end of the journey. In some instances, a driver may be unable to provide such assistance due to that driver having a medical condition and this will be confirmed by a ‘medical exemption certificate’ displayed within the vehicle.
Both taxi and private hire vehicles are obliged to carry assistance dogs (i.e. blind/hearing dogs) for no additional charge.
The meter should not be on until the journey commences.

Cost from one area to another

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:11:42 +0100

Question: What is the cost of travelling from one local authority area to another’s?

Answer: A private hire journey price should be agreed when ringing the base to book the journey or be agreed with the driver before the journey commences. A taxi (hackney carriage) journey price should also be agreed with the driver before the journey commences. The driver can refuse to take a passenger if going into another council area or negotiate a price which may be greater than that shown on the taxi meter; however the negotiated price must be agreed before the journey starts. This price can be any amount agreed. N.B. The vast majority of the University of Warwick Campus (including the hackney carriage Rank & Arts Centre) are part of the City of Coventry’s area, however Gibbet Hill Road forms the boundary hence Scarman House, Radcliffe House, Kenilworth and Leamington are part of Warwick District Council’s area.

Costs of taxi and private hire

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:08:43 +0100

Question: What is the cost of using a taxi (hackney carriage)/private hire vehicle?

Answer:

Taxi (hackney carriage) journey prices are paid according to the amount displayed on the taxi meter at the end of the journey for journeys that start and end within the boundary of the district you are in and you are not required to pay any more than this. Hackney carriage fare chart and distance guide.
Private hire journey prices should be agreed when ringing the base to book the journey or agreed with the driver before commencement.

Unbooked private hire

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:07:33 +0100

Question: Is it true that using a private hire vehicle which hasn't been booked is uninsured for the journey?

Answer:

Yes, private hire vehicles are normally uninsured for any journey which hasn't been pre-booked. If an accident occurs it may be difficult and in some cases impossible for you to obtain compensation for any damage/injuries which may arise.

Private hire drop off

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:06:27 +0100

Question: If when I'm looking for a cab I see a private hire vehicle dropping someone off, can I use it?

Answer: No, you should not approach such a vehicle. There is no record of your journey, no audit trail in case of a problem and the insurance is invalidated.

Hail any cab

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 15:49:19 +0100

Question: Can I hail any cab I see?

Answer:

You can hail a taxi (hackney carriage) being driven along a street and you can approach a taxi (hackney carriage) which is standing at a rank or otherwise parked in a street.
You cannot hail a passing private hire vehicle or approach a private hire vehicle that is waiting in a street unless you have pre-booked that particular vehicle.

Difference between taxi and private hire

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 15:44:38 +0100

Question: How can I tell the difference between a taxi (hackney carriage) and a private hire vehicle?

Answer:

Warwick district hackney carriages have a taxi sign on the roof and have white and purple plates which feature a castle symbol. There is a smaller copy plate displayed in the windscreen.
Warwick District Council private hire vehicles have yellow and purple plates which feature a castle symbol. There is a smaller copy plate displayed in the windscreen.
Coventry licensed taxis are London type 'black cabs' and have yellow with black writing stickers saying 'Coventry' in the front window and side windows and a 'Taxi' sign on the roof.
Coventry licensed private hire vehicles are saloon/estate/MPV cars and are any colour and are distinguishable by their large door stickers saying 'Private Hire Pre Bookings Only' and indicating the firm they receive bookings from.