Taxi Safety Tips

The Taxi Directory is keen to promote the use of only fully licensed and Insured Taxi operators. Those who take the safety of their customers extremely seriously and to that end they have issued a few guidelines to anyone hiring a hackney carriage taxi or private hire vehicle.The increase in illegal un-licensed taxis and minicabs has caused great concern in the general publics mind. These vehicles are often uninsured and if they are will not be covered for hire and reward as a licensed taxi is. So in the event of an accident you will not be able to claim. The drivers are often not from the local area, so will have no knowledge of the roads or how to get from one side of the town to the other! The drivers often getting lost and an argument over the final price is often a consequence.Firstly whatever company you choose make sure they are licensed as a taxi or private hire operator with their Local Council. Any taxi or private hire vehicle you hire should be displaying a current and numbered plate or badge and the driver of the vehicle will also have a valid photo ID badge both issued and showing the local authority they work in.Hackney Carriages are taxis/cabs you can flag down in the street or pick up from a taxi rank. The driver in most authorities or councils has to under go a test on local knowledge, so in he or she should know their way around the area. They display a Taxi sign and a numbered local authority taxi plate on the vehicle and are all fitted with a taxi meter, which should only be engaged at the start of the hire. A fare chart issued by the local authority should also be on display.Private Hire also known as minicabs are vehicles again licensed by a local authority and will have a numbered plate. The driver will have an ID badge which has his photo and a fare chart showing current fares, but the vehicle may not always be fitted with a meter. In this instance a price for the journey should be agreed in advance. These cannot be stopped in the street and must be pre-booked with the company before hire starts.SAFETY TIP: Always check any Taxi or Minicab you hire has a current numbered plate displayed, before you get in make a note of its plate number. Speak to the driver enquire how long it will take to reach your destination? If you know the area and his reply sounds ok that’s a good start! Then send a simple text message something like this to your parents or a friend “im in a taxi number 12356 will arrive home in 15 mins" The text message should contain your correct details!! Takes just a few seconds!Please visit our website at http://www.thetaxidirectory.co.uk/ for more information on taxis and for details on licensed companies in your area.