Wokingham

Licensing officers at Wokingham District Council are keen to help people get home safely this festive season by pointing out what to look for when using a taxi or private hire vehicle.

All Wokingham licensed taxis and private hire vehicles have undergone strict tests on their roadworthiness and are insured for the purpose. Licensed drivers are subject to Criminal Record Bureau checks, are deemed ‘fit and proper persons’ and have passed knowledge tests on the local area.

Anyone out and about during the festive season is offered the following advice to make sure that they get home safely:

# Pre-book a private hire vehicle in advance by phoning a licensed operator, preferably one that you have used before and found to be reliable. Agree the fare for the journey at the time of booking. If the party is four or more passengers check the additional price with the company.

# A private hire vehicle must be pre-booked, it cannot be hailed in the street or use a taxi rank. If a private hire vehicle is hailed in the street, it will not be covered by insurance.

# Before getting into the private hire vehicle, check they are the company that was booked.

# Only vehicles with a ‘taxi’ roof sign can be hailed, approached in the street, or use a taxi rank.

# Before the journey begins, take time to ensure that both the driver and the vehicle are correctly licensed.

# Vehicles must display a vehicle licence plate on the rear exterior that shows the registration, make and model, maximum number of passengers and expiry of the licence.

# Drivers must have their driver identity badges with them that show their name, photograph, driver’s number and expiry of licence.

# It is a good idea to make a note of the vehicle number plate and driver’s licence number and text them to someone as an extra precaution.

# Women sometimes prefer to be driven by a woman driver. Some operators do have them so don’t be afraid to ask!

A Hackney Carriage or ‘taxi’ can be identified by an illuminated roof sign and can be hailed in the street or collect customers from a taxi rank. It has a white licence plate on the rear of the vehicle, showing the vehicle details and expiry date.

Private hire vehicles must by pre-booked via an operator and cannot pick customers up on the street or at a taxi rank. They have a yellow licence plate on the rear of the vehicle. Drivers of all vehicles should have a photo identity badge with their name on it and an expiry date.

Executive member for community safety Wokingham Cllr Barrie Patman said: “Licensed taxis and private hire vehicles are subject to very strict rules and regulations. This means that anyone using them can be reassured that both the driver and vehicle have been subject to the necessary checks.

“It is important that people check that they aren’t using an unlicensed vehicle – if they’re not licensed, they’re not insured.”

Anyone who has a complaint or comment about a Wokingham district taxi or private hire vehicle should contact the licensing team on (0118) 974 6380.

Wokingham District Council