"Know Your Taxi", revellers urged

Published Thursday, 21st December 2023

Hartlepool Borough Council licensing officers are warning people to take extra care when using taxis following reports of unlicensed drivers attempting to pick up passengers.

Licensing Manager Rachael Readman has warned that getting into an unlicensed taxi could not only be poor value for money but could also put lives in danger.

She said “For most people getting into a taxi means getting into the car of a complete stranger. Hartlepool Borough Council license taxis to ensure that the public can have confidence that their safety and well-being is assured. All taxi drivers are vetted and their vehicles regularly inspected.

“Using an unlicensed taxi means there are no such checks and the integrity or intentions of the driver cannot be guaranteed and any vehicle would almost certainly not be correctly insured.”

Unlicensed taxis will generally be found operating around the busiest times such as Christmas. This makes it easier for them to blend in and to make the most money. Unfortunately it is also the time when many people have been consuming alcohol and may not be able to take good care of themselves."

To help people make the right choice the following advice is given: -

  • If you have not booked your taxi in advance or if you flag a taxi down it must be yellow in colour and be clearly marked with their licence numbers, a Hartlepool Borough Council logo and all drivers must carry an identity badge bearing the Council logo. Do not use a taxi if it is not clearly marked.
  • If you want to use a taxi but you have not booked one, look for taxis that are waiting at one of the Council’s approved taxi ranks. There are many of these across the town centre.
  • For a vehicle that has been booked in advance, it does not have to be yellow but must still be clearly marked with its licence number, a Hartlepool Borough Council logo and the driver must have an identity badge bearing the Council logo.
  • Hackney carriages (yellow taxis) should have their tariff (fare) sheet clearly displayed within the vehicle. It can usually be found on a rear window.  Please note that over the Christmas period non-standard tariffs will apply during certain times and dates.

Anyone with information about bogus or unlicensed taxi drivers should contact Hartlepool Council at licensing@hartlepool.gov.uk or on (01429) 523354