Terminology
Where this document refers to both Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing provisions the generic term ‘Taxi Licensing’ will be used.
Where the term Hackney Carriage is used this refers specifically to Hackney Carriage Licensing. A Hackney Carriage is a vehicle that is licensed to ply for hire by waiting on the rank and also by being hailed by a customer. Pre-arranged journeys booked through an Operator can also be made.Where the term Private Hire is used this refers specifically to Private Hire Licensing. A Private Hire vehicle can only carry passengers following pre-booking through a private hire operator, who is responsible for dispatching the driver and vehicle.
The Private Hire Operator will be referred to as ‘the Operator ‘in this document.
Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Vehicles whether operating as a passenger vehicle or not, must be driven only by a person with the appropriate and corresponding private hire or hackney carriage driver licence.