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You are here: Home > Environment > Environmental Health > Licensing > Taxis and Private Hire > Taxi info for the public

Taxis and private hire vehicles

This section provides information on your rights as a passenger.

All taxis, private hire vehicles and their drivers are licensed by the Council.

Taxis or private hire vehicles which are operating in the Borough without a licence are breaking the law.

As a passenger you have the right to know the maximum amount you will be charged for a journey.

You also have a right to see the driver's details (photo, badge and number) and should make a note of them, particularly as you may have lost property in the vehicle or have cause for complaint following a journey.

In order to obtain a licence, operators and drivers of both taxis and private hire vehicles must undergo a rigorous vetting procedure by the Council.

These include tests of their knowledge of the area, medical checks and criminal records tests. 

Taxis

Taxis (Hackney Carriages) may charge the fares in accordance with the Council's fare chart, or may choose to charge less for business reasons.

They may not, however, charge in excess of the fares shown on the chart.

The vehicles and their drivers must hold separate licences, both granted by the Council.

In addition; 

• both the vehicle and the driver should be presentable and they must carry evidence of the licence in a visible position 
  
  
• the vehicle licence number plate (white) must be affixed to the rear of the outside of the vehicle 
  
  
• the vehicle licence number is repeated on the fare chart, which should be clearly visible to the passengers in the vehicle 
  
  
• the vehicle will also carry a roof sign
  
  
• the driver will wear a badge which includes his/her photograph and driver licence number.   

Private hire vehicles

Private hire vehicles may only be booked by telephone.

These are subject to fares agreed between the hirer and the operator. 

The vehicles have yellow plates on the rear and no meter or roof sign. Nevertheless they are subject to a similar licensing system, with plates and driver badges. 

As a passenger, you are entitled to these details and should take a note of them, particularly if you have cause for complaint following a journey.

Lost Property

Drivers of taxis and private hire cars are duty bound to check their vehicles after their passengers get out in order to check for lost property.

If the driver finds an item of lost property he must contact the Council at the earliest opportunity.

If you have lost an item of your property in a taxi or private hire vehicle in the Borough, please contact the Borough Council using the details below.

Complaints Procedure

Any complaints or comments regarding taxis and private hire vehicles and drivers, ideally quoting the licence plate number and the driver's licence number, should be sent to the address below.

Contact Details

• Email: Licensing@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
• Telephone: 01737 276069
• Write to: 
  Environmental Health Licensing 
  Town Hall
  Castlefield Road
  Reigate
  RH2 0SH.