WHEN IS A TAXI NOT A TAXI?


UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A HCV AND PHV LICENCE IN ENGLAND AND WALES


We are seeing an increasing number of private hire drivers breaking their licensing conditions by: l sitting on taxi ranks l plying for hire l asking within Whatsapp groups if can they offer a price for a job


These 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 NPHTA, clearly explains the differences between the two types of driver licences. 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 l According to licensing rules these are NOT taxis l PHVs do NOT need to have a taximeter installed l CANNOT make use of taxi ranks - anywhere l CANNOT ply for hire - anywhere l CANNOT have a top light l CANNOT accept their own bookings or offer quotes l CANNOT pick up jobs that are not pre-booked l 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


l Their fares are set by the private hire operator l Are ONLY exempt from wearing a seatbelt whilst actively carrying passengers


Hackney carriage l According to licensing rules these ARE taxis l Hackney carriage vehicles are fitted with a taximeter to calculate the fare according to distance travelled


l CAN sit on a taxi rank within their licensing or ‘controlled’ district to wait for the next passenger


l CAN be flagged down whilst they are within their licensing or ‘controlled’ district by the public when they are passing without passengers on board


l CAN accept their own bookings from any source including any licensed taxi or private hire operator


12


l MUST have a top light l MUST have a taximeter fitted that is calibrated to the council set tariffs


l Their fares are regulated by the licensing authority that issues their licence


l Are NOT subject to the triple lock rule l Are EXEMPT from wearing a seatbelt at all times when on duty - including travelling to a pick up a fare


Dual badge l A driver can have a dual badge - both hackney and private hire BUT the vehicle CANNOT be dual plated


l So if driving a hackney carriage you can make use of ranks etc. and act as a taxi driver


l 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 carriages and are paid for out of hackney carriage licence fees NOT from private hire licence fees.


Private hire drivers caught sitting on ranks l you risk being accused of plying for hire


l you could be fined l you could get points from your licensing authority l 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 l 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


l 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….


JANUARY 2026 PHTM


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70