Accessible taxis

Taxis and private hire vehicles must be licensed to be able to work. Councils throughout the country are responsible for licensing drivers and vehicles who work in their Council areas (Boroughs) but these drivers and vehicles can also work legally in other areas on a pre-booked basis.

The Council as a licensing authority is responsible for ensuring drivers and vehicles provide you with a safe means of transport. Each Council will have its own standards and requirements.

Drivers in Runnymede are subject to a knowledge test to ensure they know their way around the area, driving licence checks, enhanced criminal record checks, right to work / leave to remain checks and medical tests to ensure they are safe and suitable while vehicles are required to be of a specific standard and regularly inspected.

Vehicles and drivers which are licensed by other Councils can be found working legally in Runnymede.

It has been known for people to operate illegally, such as without a driver's or vehicle licence from the Council. As well as being illegal it puts you at risk as you will not be covered by any insurance and the driver and vehicle may not have had any safety checks.

In the interest of your own safety there are a number of simple steps you can take to ensure you are getting into a licensed vehicle with a licensed driver. Please see the taxi safe leaflet for further information.

SAFE TRAVEL - LOCAL TAXIS (hackney carriages)
ARE usually ordinary saloon cars or purpose built Taxis approved by the Council displaying a large rectangular sticker on the rear of the car - black lettering on a white background. This shows the vehicle licence number, the date it is licenced expires and the number of passengers it is licenced to carry. Taxis must have an illuminated roof mounted sign when plying for hire.

ARE found on taxi ranks and plying for hire in the streets.

MUST have tested and sealed meters.

FARE SCALE (THE COST PER MILE)is approved by the Council and must be displayed in the vehicle.

DRIVER must wear an identification badge; this will show their photograph and Council licence number.

ALWAYS check that the driver and vehicle are licensed AND that the meter is working.

ALWAYS ask the driver who they are collecting to make sure you are in the right vehicle

MAKE SUREthe driver puts his meter on only when you commence your journey - not before. BUT beware of keeping your taxi waiting, if you have called one out, you will be charged waiting time.

ALWAYS take passengers to their destination by the most direct route unless otherwise agreed.

IF the journey takes the taxi outside the Borough of Runnymede, the driver must still charge in accordance with the Fare Table unless they have agreed otherwise with the hirer before the journey has started.

Some companies provide lady drivers, and wheelchair accessible vehicles on request.

SAFE TRAVEL - LOCAL PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLES

ARE ordinary saloon cars approved by the Council displaying a large rectangular sticker on the rear of the car, black lettering on a green/white background. This shows the vehicle licence number, the date it is licenced expires and the number of passengers it is licenced to carry.

MUST NOT ply for hire in the street, so you can not flag them down, they cannot pick you up anywhere unless you have pre-booked. The driver is acting illegally if they allow this and can lose their licence. You are also at risk as you will not be insured in the vehicle.

CANNOT wait on taxi ranks.

MUST BE booked with their office or by phone or app.

ASK for a fixed price for your journey or check the likely cost of the journey before booking.

FARES are not set by the Council (unless they have a meter) so ask how the fare is to be calculated.

DRIVER must wear an identification badge; this will show their photograph and Council licence number.

ALWAYS check that the driver and vehicle are licensed.

ALWAYSask the driver who they are collecting to make sure you are in the right vehicle

ALWAYS take passengers to their destination by the most direct route unless otherwise agreed.

Some companies provide lady drivers, and wheelchair accessible vehicles on request.