Types of taxis
Wyre Council is responsible for licensing hackney carriages, private hire vehicles, their drivers and the operators that take the bookings for private hire vehicles.
Although private hire vehicles and hackney carriages are both commonly referred to as ‘taxis’ by the public, there are differences in the way that each can lawfully operate.
Hackney carriages
- Display plates on the front and rear of the vehicle which have a yellow background
- Are allowed to wait on authorised taxi ranks in Wyre
- Can be hailed by the public on any street within the borough of Wyre
- Must be driven by a licensed Wyre driver at all times
- Have an official taximeter fitted which is calibrated to Wyre Council's approved tariff
- Have passed the necessary mechanical vehicle inspection
This is the only type of vehicle that can stop and pick you up, if you hail one in the street or from a rank.
Private hire vehicles
- Must always be pre-booked through a licensed private hire operator
- Display plates on the front and rear of the vehicle which have a green background
- Display large oval Wyre Council signs on each front door indicating that journeys may only be advanced bookings taken by an operator
- Must not stand on any rank
- Must not pick up any passengers who try to hail them in the street
- Must be driven by a licensed Wyre driver at all times
- Have passed the necessary mechanical vehicle inspection
The Council is not responsible for setting fares for private hire vehicles, which are a matter for the hirer and operator to agree at the point of booking, although many private hire journeys are calculated on the meter.
Do not enter a private hire vehicle unless you have made a booking through an operator, as it will not be insured to carry you.