Information for Passengers   

One of the most important things to remember is that both the vehicle and driver must be licensed. Remember that anyone driving a vehicle as a taxi without the proper licence is breaking the law. If you take a journey with an unlicensed driver or in an unlicensed car you will not be insured in the event of an accident. In addition the driver may not have been vetted to ensure they are a fit and proper person.  

Always look for the valid blue or yellow plates on the vehicle and a valid photo-badge worn by the driver. 

Private Hire vehicles now also carry blue door stickers on both sides of the vehicle to denote the licence number.

Hackney Carriages

A Hackney Carriage has a yellow plate on the rear and in the front window and can be hailed in the street or from a taxi rank. To show that they are available for hire the roof light will be lit.  They may also take advance private hire bookings and agree a price in this way with the passenger, though they cannot charge more than the prices shown in the Table of Fares when travelling in the Borough. The Table of Fares shows the costs per mile and a Hackney Carriage must have one of these displayed in the vehicle.

Hackney Carriages must have a meter fitted. This device should be visible to the passenger at all times and it calculates the cost of the journey. If the meter is not on or you are unsure about the set price you can insist that the meter be switched on for the duration of the journey. The meter should only be switched on when the passenger enters the vehicle and the price paid should be no greater than the figure shown on the meter. If the driver demands more than this figure they should be reported to the Licensing Authority. 

For journeys with a destination within the Melton Borough boundary the cost of the journey can be no greater than the fare on the meter. A table of fares should be displayed inside each vehicle. For journeys with a destination outside the borough boundary, the driver can negotiate his/her fare with the passenger before the journey commences, but where no fee is agreed in advance the charge is limited to the fare on the fare meter in accordance with the legal fare structure. A Hackney Carriage may also undertake Private Hire work but only if they keep the meter on and charge no more than the price shown when in the borough.

Private Hire Vehicles

Private hire vehicles have a blue and white plate and must be booked by prior arrangement. They are not allowed to ply for hire or pick up passengers in the street. These vehicles are commonly used for airport runs. A  Private Hire vehicle must be controlled by an Operator who is responsible for taking hire bookings and who must hold an Operator's Licence.

Drivers of Private Hire Vehicles can charge any price; they do not have to have a meter and can add running costs.

A Private Hire Vehicle may not also be a Hackney Carriage. 

Taxi Leaflet: ‘What you need to know’