i thought that private hire taxis could only be used when prebooked by phone yet there seems to be a different case
2007-10-09 03:35:54 · 5 answers · asked by patrick j 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
In the UK, it's an insurance thing, only hackney black cabs are insured to pick people up on the street, a private hire car has to have the full journey on record before the occupants are covered.
2007-10-09 03:45:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the UK each Taxi is Licenced by the council. There are two licences one is Private hire where by a journey has to be pre booked and its journey recorded. The other is a Hackney Carriage licence often these have to be bought from the council (depending upon the council itself) these allow the drivers to work ranks in the area and pick people up off th street. It is an offence in all council areas for a Private Hire vehicle to pick people up off the street without a booking and if found guilty the council often revoke their licences (usually repeat offenders).
The legal question is what are the individual councils rules?
Some councils now don't have an upper limit on the number of hackney plates they issue and so don't "sell" them anymore thus meaning taxis that were private hire vehicles could now actually be hackney carriages yet still work for a private hire company.
2007-10-09 10:59:05 · answer #2 · answered by Rathers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Taxis can pick up anywhere at any time without being booked to pick up. Private hire can't 'pick up' the same as a taxi. But if you flag down a private hire car the driver could lend you his mobile, you ring his office as for one of their cars to pick you up at this place to take you to this other place. The private hire company can now call the driver and tell him to pick you up etc. Cheeky but legal.
2007-10-09 10:51:38 · answer #3 · answered by focus 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is going to depend entirely on local laws. In both America and the UK, things like taxis are regulated on a local level. You'll have to get in touch with your municipal government to determine exactly what the rules are.
2007-10-09 10:40:54 · answer #4 · answered by Ryan D 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can't flag down a private hire vehicle legally.
Black cabs can be flagged though.
2007-10-09 10:39:31 · answer #5 · answered by Sal*UK 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋