|
Taxis and Private Hire Licensing Service Information for Customers/Passengers Introduction
Information for Taxi/ Private Hire Providers Taxi Talk Newsletter - March 2006 - (PDF file - opens in new
window)
This information has been prepared for the information and convenience of people requiring a taxi or private hire service in West Wiltshire. The list should not be taken as a recommendation by the District Council that a person requiring a taxi or private hire service should use any particular firm mentioned in this list. The public should only use Taxi Proprietors or Private Hire Operators shown in the list, as licences are only granted by the District Council to Taxi Proprietors or Private Hire Operators who operate to a standard approved by the Council.
Taxi Sign All taxis are required to display an illuminated TAXI sign. On licensed cars the sign is fitted on the roof and the word "taxi" is visible from the front. During hours of darkness all taxi signs are illuminated when the vehicles are available for hire. Licence Display All taxis have to display license plates, one fixed to the rear and the other to the internal dashboard of the vehicle. The plate displays the licence number and the number of passengers that the vehicle is allowed to carry. Hailing a taxi Taxis can be hailed (flagged down) directly from the street or hired from taxi ranks, which are situated in each town. The cost of hiring a taxi All taxis are fitted with fare meters, which must be used for every journey within West Wiltshire. Fare levels are fixed for all vehicles by the district council and a fare chart must be displayed inside the taxi. Passengers should refer to the fare chart to see if the correct fare is being charged.
How to recognise a Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Top sign Private Hire Vehicles are not allowed to display any sign. Licence display Private Hire Vehicles have to display a licence plate on rear of the vehicle to show the licence number and the number of passengers that the vehicle is allowed to carry. Pre-Booking Private Hire Vehicles are not licensed or insured to be flagged down or hired from taxi ranks. These vehicles Must be pre-booked through a private hire operator's office, either by telephone or in person. The cost of hiring PHV These vehicles do not need to have a fare meter fitted. If no meter is fitted you may negotiate the fare with the driver before the start of the journey. Where meters are fitted voluntarily, the District Council tests for accuracy. Records must be kept by the driver of all booked journeys. Operators of Private Hire Vehicles Private Hire Vehicles must be pre-booked through an operator licensed by the District Council. Licences are only issued to operators who are fit and proper persons who understand the relevant laws. Licensed operators must ensure that drivers and vehicles used by them comply with all licence conditions. Licensed operators are responsible for providing a safe and courteous service to their clients.
Drivers of Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles Drivers licences are only issued by West Wiltshire District Council after the driver has been checked to ensure that he or she:
All licensed drivers must wear an identification badge, which includes a photograph of the bearer.
When you hire a taxi or pre-book a private hire vehicle you have certain rights. These are:
Bradford on Avon - Bridge Street Melksham - Market Place Trowbridge - Market Street, Wicker Hill, Church Street, Castle Street Warminster - Station Road Westbury - Edward Street
Hackney Carriages - Details of Fares
In case of any complaint about a driver, or a taxi or private hire vehicle, you will need to take note of as much information as possible in order for any action to be taken:
You will then need to complete and send in a complaint form - print one here -and your complaint will then be investigated. Some examples of the kind of complaints we are able to deal with include:
For further information about taxis or private hire please email: licensing@westwiltshire.gov.uk
List of Licensed Taxi/Private Hire Operators within West Wiltshire To view list, please click to select an area: Taxi Operators in: Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Melksham, Westbury, Warminster Private Hire Operators in: Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Melksham, Westbury, Warminster
Taxi Operators in Bradford on Avon A & D Taxis - 01225 865620 Alpha Taxis - 01225 752916 / 01225 753218 / Freephone 0800 371297 Ashley Cabs - 01225 868111 Time 4 Travel Cars - 01225 862076 * wheelchair accessible ABT of Melksham - 01225 353637 A & P Taxis - 01225 706133 City Cars - 01225 700038 Forest Taxis - 01225 705453 Index Taxis - 01225 700800 Jim's Taxis - 01225 790222 MJB Taxis - 01225 700776 / 01380 871399 Paul's Taxis* - 07986 517319* Webbs Private Hire & Taxis - 01225 706805 * wheelchair accessible ABT of Trowbridge - 01225 777555 A & D Taxis - 01225 751332 / 01225 755675 Alpha Taxis - 01225 752916 / 01225 753218 / Freephone 0800 371297 AMS Taxis - 07785 915841 / 01225 710152 Andy's Handy Taxis - 01225 763269 Ashton Cabs - 01225 776898 County Cars - 01225 352173C Cowdry's Cabs - 07765 170685 Mim's Taxis - 01225 767918 PC Taxi - 01225 766806 Rico's Cabs - 01225 353281 Round-A-Bout Travel - 01225 766716 RPB Executive Travel - 01225 712233 Terry's Taxi* - 07795 180596* Text-a-cab - 07840 807170 * wheelchair accessible 1st Class - 07976 514569 A & G Minibuses* - 01985 218754* D J's Taxis* - 01985 215151* Prestige Private Hire Taxi - 01985 847301 Rod's Taxis - 01985 219001 Starline & Wessex Taxis* - 01985 212215 / 01985 212243 / 01985 218988* * wheelchair accessible 24-7 Taxis - 01373 824789 5 Star Travel - 07736 002868 Beta Taxis - 01373 822986 Round-A-Bout Travel - 0800 848 8716 Tony's Taxis - 01373 823893 * wheelchair accessible Private Hire Operators in Bradford on Avon Private Hire Operators in Melksham ABT of Melksham - 01225 353637 Caravelle Chauffeuring - 01225 703886 Executive Chauffeur - 01225 704707 Leszan Travel* - 01225 790232* * wheelchair accessible Private Hire Operators in Trowbridge ABT of Trowbridge - 01225 777555 Airport Specialists - 01225 764141 Customised Chauffer Services - 07860 810737 * wheelchair accessible Private Hire Operators in Westbury R J Private Hire - 01373 864391 Private Hire Operators in Warminster A & G Minibuses* - 01985 218754* R Burt (Codford) - 01985 850083 * wheelchair accessible
Applying for a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Licence A licence is required to drive a hackney carriage (taxi) or private hire vehicle. Licences are valid for 12 months from the date of issue and cover both hackney carriage and private hire. If you are intending to operate from or be based in West Wiltshire you need to obtain a licence from us. To become licensed, applicants must:-
The annual licence fee is £61 for new applicants, with renewals, where the application is made before the old licence expires, being £56. Medical fees are variable and the cost will depend on where your medical is carried out. CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks cost £36 payable at the time of check. (These fees are in place until 1 April 2009) If you would like to be sent an application pack, which includes a step-by-step guide on how to become a licensed driver, please email licensing@westwiltshire.gov.uk stating your name and address. If you would like to download an application pack, click on this link (Please Note that this downloadable pack does not contain a CRB disclosure form. If you do not have one of these CRB disclosure forms, you can obtain one by contacting us on 01225 776655).
Taxi Driver Online - www.taxi-driver.co.uk This website contains news comment and advice on the UK taxi and private hire trades. (page opens in a new window) last updated 9 June 2008 |