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To keep as safe as possible, check the following before choosing a Hackney carriage (taxi) or private hire vehicle in York.


Taxi passenger pick ups

Check that a taxi is operating legally.

Taxis can:

  • ply for hire, or
  • pick up customers from a designated rank

They can only legally do this within the authority area they're licensed in - for example, a taxi licensed by Leeds or elsewhere cannot legally ply for hire or pick up from a rank in York.

Private hire vehicles can only undertake pre-booked work given to them by their licensed operator - they cannot ply for hire or use taxi ranks.

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Taxi licence plates

Take a note of the licence number before entering a licensed vehicle.

Licensed vehicles always display a licence plate.

The plate displays the:

  • licence number
  • name of the licensing authority
  • registration number of the vehicle
  • maximum number of passengers that can be carried

Licence plates in York are displayed as follows:

  • taxis display a yellow licence plate on the rear of the vehicle
  • private hire vehicles display maroon licence plates on the front and rear of the vehicle

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Taxi door signage

Licensed vehicles in York usually display door signage as follows:

  • taxis display the York crest with licence number on the driver and front passenger doors
  • private hire vehicles display their licensed operator details on the rear passenger doors

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Taxi drivers

Only licensed drivers are allowed to drive licensed vehicles.

Licensed drivers must display an ID badge which should show:

  • their licence number
  • the name of the licensing authority
  • a picture of the driver

The driver should be able to produce their ID badge on request.

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Private hire operators

Private hire operators take bookings and dispatch private hire vehicles/drivers to fulfill bookings on their behalf.

They:

  • must be licensed by the licensing authority where their booking office is located
  • can only give bookings to private hire vehicles/drivers licensed by the same licensing authority working on their behalf
  • can sub-contract a passenger's booking to another licensed operator

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Also see

Taxi Licensing Team

Eco Depot, Hazel Court, York, YO10 3DS

Telephone: 01904 552422