Top 10 things to know about getting a taxi at Christmas time
With Christmas around the corner, our licensing team have some helpful tips if you are booking and using taxis over the festive period.
Know the difference between taxis (black cabs) and private hire vehicles (minicabs)
Commonly known as taxis, they may all look the same but there are some important differences.
Only black cabs are legally allowed to stop when hailed – minicabs must be pre-booked using an operator. All black cabs licensed by the borough council have a white stripe on both sides, display white licence plates and have a taxi roof light.
Minicabs can be any colour – apart from black – and display white licence plate, with green borders, on the front and back.
Take a picture of the vehicle licence plate
It is a good idea to keep a record of what vehicle you are getting into. You can take a photograph of the front or back of the car. If you need to report a problem, you can send the photo to us or the police.
Do not get into the taxi until you are sure it is yours
It is tempting to just jump into a taxi, particularly if it is raining, but it is always best to double check it’s yours. A lot of pre-booked minicab services send you the type, colour of the vehicle and the registration number, so it is just a case of quickly checking the number plate whilst you are getting that photo.
Tell a friend or family member how you are getting home
Always inform a friend or family member about what car you are in and who you are travelling with. You can ‘Share your location’ using most mapping apps so that they can track your journey home or you could send the picture of the registration number to them in a text so that they have it if you think they may be asleep.
If you are travelling alone, always sit in the back
When travelling alone, always sit behind the driver and keep conversations professional and light. Chatting about the weather and how busy it has been while you are out are fine but don’t chat about anything too personal as this can lead to misunderstandings on both sides of the conversation.
Beware of taxi touts
Touts are unregistered, untraceable and uninsured drivers who attempt to pick up customers in busy areas, often offering cheaper fares. Always go to a recognised black cab rank or pre-book a minicab with a licensed and fully insured operator.
Always ask how much the fare will be
If you are booking a minicab, confirm the fare with the driver before setting off. They don’t need to have a meter as there isn’t a limit to charges.
If you get into a black cab, ask them to put the meter on before you set off and how much it might be. If you are travelling within the borough you can’t be charged more than the end fare on the meter. If you are travelling outside the borough, a fare above the one displayed on the meter can be agreed before you set off. If you don’t agree one then you can’t be charged more than the fare on the meter. The driver is entitled to a deposit but at the end of the journey, it must be returned to the passenger or discounted from the fare that is left to pay.
Local tariffs for black cabs change over the festive period depending on the time of day or night so the maximum they can charge is more on days like New Year’s Eve.
Never take a taxi with a stranger
Ask a close friend to get you home safely together in another taxi instead.
Don’t be afraid to ask to see the driver’s badge
Drivers must wear their licence badge on their person when working and a vehicle copy should be displayed on the dashboard. There should be no problem in asking to see it and the we must have issued it if you are in a borough council vehicle. If it is issued by another council then the vehicle should also have a licence plate issued by that council.
If you experience a problem, always report it
The photo of the plate can again come in handy, as it will help to identify the vehicle particularly if you are using a black cab. You can report any issues to our licensing department. You can also complain to the licensed operator if you have arranged a pre-booked minicab but this will depend on the issue that you have had. If it is of a more serious nature then you should also report it to the police.
Contact details to report problems
Newcastle Borough Council
- Telephone: 01782 717717
- Email: licensing@newcastle-staffs.gov.uk
Staffordshire Police
- Telephone: 101 (non-emergency) or 999 (emergency)
- Website
Crimestoppers
- Telephone: 0800 555111