04/01/2026
This is posted just to clear things up, as I am often asked the question...
‼️UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PRIVATE HIRE AND A HACKNEY CARRIAGE LICENCE - in England & Wales
We are seeing an increasing number of private hire drivers breaking their licensing conditions by:
▪️sitting on taxi ranks
▪️plying for hire
▪️asking within whatsapp groups can they offer a price for a job
‼️This may be new drivers who are making mistakes as they are confused or unaware of what all the licensing conditions mean OR it may be drivers intentionally breaking the rules because they just don’t care - let’s hope it’s the former.
David Lawrie , Director of the National Private Hire and Taxi Association ( NPHTA) clearly explains the difference below.
There are two very different licence types - private hire and hackney carriage - whilst BOTH transport the public for hire and reward, the law restricts how they work in a regulated way.
‼️PRIVATE HIRE:
▪️According to licensing rules these are NOT taxis
▪️PHVs do not need to have a taximeter installed
▪️CANNOT make use of taxi ranks - anywhere
▪️CANNOT ply for hire - anywhere
▪️CANNOT have a top light
▪️CANNOT accept their own bookings or offer quotes
▪️CANNOT pick up jobs that are not pre-booked
▪️MUST ONLY receive jobs from a private hire operator that is licensed by the same council that issued their private hire badge and plates - triple lock rule
▪️Their fares are set by the private hire operator
▪️Are ONLY exempt from wearing a seatbelt whilst actively carrying passengers
‼️HACKNEY CARRIAGE:
▪️According to licensing rules these ARE taxis
▪️Hackney Carriage vehicles are fitted with a taximeter to calculate the fare according to distance travelled
▪️CAN sit on a "taxi rank” within their licensing or ‘controlled’ district to wait for the the next passing customer
▪️CAN be flagged down whilst they are within their licensing or ‘controlled’ district by any member of the public when they are passing without passengers on board
▪️CAN accept their own bookings from any source including any licensed taxi or private hire operator
▪️MUST have a top light
▪️MUST have a taximeter fitted that is calibrated to the council set tariffs
▪️Their fares are regulated by the licensing authority that issues their licence
▪️Are NOT subject to the triple lock rule
▪️Are EXEMPT from wearing a seatbelt at all times when on duty - including travelling to a pick up a fare
‼️DUAL BADGE
▪️A driver can have a dual badge - both hackney and private hire BUT the vehicle CANNOT be dual plated
▪️So If driving a hackney carriage (taxi) you can make use of ranks etc and act as a taxi driver
▪️But if driving a private hire vehicle you cannot
‼️TAXI RANKS:
These are legally adopted and are the lawful waiting place for taxis. They are ONLY to be used by hackney carriage taxis and are paid for out of hackney carriage licence fees NOT from private hire licence fees.
‼️PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS CAUGHT SITTING ON RANKS:
▪️you risk being accused of plying for hire
▪️you could be fined
▪️you could get points from your licensing authority
▪️you could also have your private hire licence suspended or revoked
‼️PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS CAUGHT PLYING FOR HIRE:
⚠️ IF you ply for hire - you, your vehicle and your passengers are NOT INSURED ⚠️
▪️you will be prosecuted in court for unlawful plying for hire and for no insurance - as your private hire insurance does not cover you acting as a taxi - big fines, court costs and points on your driving licence
▪️you could also have your private hire licence suspended or revoked
‼️BE WARNED:
Breaking your licensing conditions is serious and has consequences - Please stick to the rules ... Don't take the risk, it simply isn't worth it….
fans
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