Is it a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle?

All Hackney Carriages (taxis) are required to display an illuminated ‘TAXI’ sign. On licensed cars the sign is fitted to 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. Private Hire Vehicles are not permitted to display any sign on the roof of the vehicle.

All taxis and Private Hire Vehicles have to display licensed 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 a vehicle is allowed to carry. The exterior plate affixed to a Hackney Carriage (taxi) are white, whilst a yellow plate is affixed to the rear of a Private Hire Vehicle., except in the case of some 'executive hire' vehicles where an exemption may have been applied for and granted. Hackney Carriages (taxis) can be hailed directly from the street or hired from taxi ranks, which are situated in each town.

Private Hire Vehicles must by law be pre-booked. A Private Hire Vehicle may also include a Stretched Limousine, which will not be permitted to carry any more than 8 passengers and will also be required to display a yellow plate on the rear of the limousine unless exemption has been granted.

All Hackney Carriage (taxis) are fitted with fare meters, which should be used for each journey. Fares are fixed for each vehicle by the District Council, and a fare card must be displayed inside the taxi.

Becoming a local Private Hire Chauffeur

Whether you are working for a company providing chauffeur driven cars and/or limousine for hire, if they are licensed for private hire by their local authority, then they can only employ correctly licensed drivers/chauffeurs.

Driver’s licences are only issued by appropriate District Council after the driver has been checked to ensure that he or she:

1. Is a fit and proper person of which includes vetting for criminal convictions, including motoring offences.
2. Has held a full, valid driving licence for a minimum of 12 months.
3. Has passed a medical as laid down by the District Council
4. Has successfully undertaken a knowledge test of the area. (this is not always mandatory)
5. Is fully aware of the conditions and obligations attached to the drivers licence.

All licensed drivers must wear an identification badge, which includes a photograph of the bearer. Some District Councils will issue a ‘dual’ licence that permits a licensed driver to drive a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle. Please note: This is designed as a guide only, whilst the principles will remain the same, some District Councils will intepret the rules differently. In additon, the rules for applying for a PCO (Public Carriage Office) Licence in London will differ.

Cars for Stars is a UK based company operating chauffeur driven cars and limousine. Based in London, it offers national service through an extensive, branch network of franchised offices. All Cars for Stars franchises are fully licensed by their respective local authority, or in the case of London, by the Public Carriage Office (PCO), which means that the chauffeurs will have been subjected to a medical and criminal records bureau check and the chauffeur cars and limousines will be subjected to regular and vigorous tests.

Cars for Stars local offices can be found in the Chauffeur Cars Directory or the Limousine Hire Directory.