Passengers left in the dark over random taxi rules

A leading south coast taxi dealer is backing a call for a UK-wide standard on licensing regulations for taxis to maintain standards in the industry and safeguard passenger safety.

Taxiwise, the national campaign for the safe use of taxis is backing the call, saying rules on the type of vehicle used as a taxi and licensing policy needed to be standardised to avoid confusion.

Colin Case, sales manager at Smith and Humphrey, based in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, has spoken up to highlight the difficulties that having so many different rules cause and back the call for standard rules.

“We have got 46 different councils in the area we cover – and every one of them has different licensing regulations for taxis,” said Colin,

“Some of them completely contradict each other. What this means is that there is no continuity in the standard of vehicle or type of vehicle which can be used as a Hackney carriage. The result is passengers have no clear idea of what is a properly licensed taxi and what is not and so are more likely to fall prey to offenders posing as taxi drivers to pick up people on the street.

“At the very least these rogue drivers have no insurance. At worst, someone can end up dead.

“Having a nationally-set standard, maintaining those regulations already seen in the safest areas now, would make it safer for people travelling by cab and ensure high standards were maintained in the industry.”

There are 22 mandatory areas across the UK, including London, which have the highest standards on what type of vehicle can be used as a taxi. To be licensed as Hackney carriage, the vehicle must undergo strict checks, have set safety features and a set, tight turning circle to enable it to manoeuvre easily in narrow streets.

The instantly-recognisable London-style taxi is one vehicle that meets these criteria. People get into a black taxi they can be as sure as possible that the cab they are using is legitimate. In other vehicles, it is less easy to be sure and passengers must check on individual council licensing regulations and a driver’s licence before entering a vehicle.