Taxis

We are responsible for licensing hackney carriage and private hire drivers, vehicles, and operators. Licensing helps ensure that passengers receive a safe, comfortable, and professional service.

The following information is relevant to all existing licence holders and new applicants:

The purpose of taxi licensing is to make sure passengers have a safe and comfortable journey in vehicles that are well-maintained and driven by competent, trustworthy, and medically fit drivers. Drivers must also behave in a polite and professional manner at all times.

Any vehicle offered for hire with a driver must have a licence issued by us. There are two types of licences, depending on how the vehicle is used

Types of taxi licences

Hackney carriage (taxi)

Hackney carriages must be painted yellow in Hartlepool and fitted with a payment meter. The meter calculates the fare based on the distance travelled.

These vehicles can:

• be flagged down on the street
• wait for passengers at designated taxi ranks
• be booked in advance

If booked in advance, the fare must not exceed the amount shown on the meter - unless the journey ends outside the Borough of Hartlepool.

Private hire

All private hire vehicles must be booked in advance through a licensed private hire operator.

In Hartlepool:

• vehicles can be any colour except yellow
• they must display round stickers on both front doors that say:
  “This vehicle must be pre-booked”

Private hire vehicles do not use meters. The fare should be agreed in advance between the passenger and the operator - ideally at the time of booking.

Driver licensing

To drive a licensed hackney carriage or private hire vehicle in Hartlepool, you must hold a HC/PC driver licence issued by us.

It is a criminal offence to drive a licensed vehicle without the correct licence.