Torridge District Council warns residents about using unlicensed taxis

Torridge District Council is advising residents to make sure that they always use licensed taxis and private car vehicles.

Unlicensed taxis and private hire vehicles remain a persistent issue across the UK, posing risks to passenger safety and undermining the livelihoods of legitimate drivers.

Torridge District Council has 49 licensed hackney carriages, and 95 registered private hire vehicles operating across the district. The council is responsible for ensuring that all licensed vehicles and drivers comply with the stringent regulations in place.  This includes conducting regular routine inspections to check that vehicles are roadworthy, drivers are properly vetted and confirming that vehicles carry the required insurance. 

Staci Dorey, Head of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Service, Torridge District Council, said:

"It's really important that people understand the risks of using unlicensed taxis.  Unlicensed drivers may lack proper training, their vehicles might not be insured, and they may not be regulated, potentially putting passengers at risk.  Furthermore, using these services is illegal, as any passengers could face legal consequences if an unlicensed driver is caught.

"Our licensed drivers do a brilliant job providing a much-needed service to the local community.  Before taking a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle, make sure it has a valid Torridge District Council licence plate at the rear and ask to see an ID badge.  If in doubt, get out!

"If you are approached by someone in the street, offering you a lift, ignore them as this is classed as touting and is illegal."

To help residents make sure they use licensed vehicles, Torridge District Council has issued some advice for passengers travelling in taxis:

• If possible, plan your journey in advance and book a taxi. If you haven't booked a taxi, always carry a reputable taxi telephone number with you.
• Know the difference between a hackney carriage vehicle and a private hire vehicle. You can only hail hackney carriages on the street, and private hire vehicles must be pre-booked. (See below for more information.)
• Make sure you only ever use a licensed vehicle displaying a valid rear licence plate.
• Always check the driver's badge. All licensed drivers are issued with an identification badge.
• Ride with friends where possible. Sharing a vehicle is a great idea and you can share the cost.
• Never get into an unmarked vehicle.

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.
• 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.
• Hackney carriages licensed by Torridge District Council 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.
• Private Hire Vehicles licensed by Torridge District Council will display a green plate at the rear of the vehicle, stating the licence number and how many passengers the vehicle can carry. They also display signs which states 'advanced bookings only'.

May 25