Taxi Licensing: Taxis, private hire cars, their drivers and operators are licensed by the council annually. Vehicles are subject to age limits and mechanical tests. Drivers undergo periodic Police, DVLA and medical checks. For more information contact one of the hackney carriage officers at the addresses or telephone numbers below.
The council only sets the fares for taxis but private hire cars usually charge the same. A fare card giving details of the charges will be displayed inside each vehicle and a taximeter will automatically calculate the fare.
Taxis are available at taxi ranks. You can also hail them in the street or book them by telephoning an operator. Private hire cars cannot wait at taxi ranks or stop and pick you up if you hail them. They can only be booked through an operator. Beware of any car which stops to pick you up if it's not a licnesed taxi or it has not been booked by telephone. You can get the telephone number of local Brighton & Hove operators from the Yellow Pages under Taxis and private hire vehicles.

Taxis: Taxis are either London type taxis or saloon cars with a large roof box with the words TAXI and FOR HIRE on the front. Both sorts of vehicle are usually white with green bonnet and boot and have door signs which include the council logo and the words Licensed TAXI. A plate on the back of the taxi gives its licence number and the driver will display a council issued badge in the taxi. Remember these are the only vehicles which can stop and pick you up if you hail them in the street.

Private hire cars: Private hire cars are easily distinguishable from taxis. They usually are not white in colour and they have doors signs which say PRIVATE HIRE, PRIOR BOOKING ONLY and a telephone number you call. A green plate on the back of the vehicle shows its licence number and the driver will display a council issued driver badge in the car. Remember, these cars cannot wait for passengers at taxi ranks or be hailed in the streets. Be wary if one stops for you if you haven't booked it. It may not be insured to carry you.

Fares: The minimum taxi fare is £2.30 and it rises in 20p increments according to how far you travel. As a guide to what your journey may cost, the first mile will be £3.30 and after that each mile will be £1.80. There are additional charges for hirings at night, on Sundays, on Public and Bank Holidays, at Christmas and the New Year, for extra passengers above four and for telephone prebookings. All the details are on the fare card in the vehicle. The last fare increase was in March 2004.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I become a driver of taxis or private hire cars?You will need to complete an application form, undergo a medical examination, Police and DVLA checks, and a knowledge test. There are commercial knowledge schools to help you. Call either hackney carriage office on the numbers below for an information pack which includes the application forms or download the Hackney Carriage Application Forms How can I book a taxi or private hire car through an operator?Call an operator, preferably one with an address in the Brighton & Hove area. The numbers are available in Yellow Pages under Taxis and private hire vehicles.
How do I make a complaint about a taxi or private hire driver?Complaints must be in writing. Write to either hackney carriage office setting out the cause of your complaint, including the date and time of the incident, the driver badge number and/or the plate number on the back of the vehicle.

Contact details

Hackney Carriage Office, Hove Town HallNorton RoadHove BN3 3BQ Telephone (01273) 294429

email:  ehl.safety@brighton-hove.gov.uk