Taxi driver licence

Private hire

• Cannot be hailed from the street - illegal to accept a fare without a prior booking.
  Cannot use taxi ranks.
• All jobs must be pre‑booked through a licensed private hire operator.
  PHVs must display:
  • Door signs identifying the operator,
  • A rear licence plate,
  • No roof sign.
• Fares are not regulated - operators set their own pricing.

Dual driver 

A dual driver licence entitles you to drive both hackney carriage (taxi) vehicles and private hire vehicles.

Hackney carriages

• Can pick up passengers from the street when hailed (ply for hire).
• Can wait on official taxi ranks to collect passengers.
• Can also take pre‑booked journeys without needing to go through a private hire operator.
  Must have:
  • A roof sign,
  • A calibrated meter set to council‑approved fares,
  • A council‑issued plate.

Fares are usually regulated by the council and cannot exceed metered rates within the licensing district.