To stay safe whilst using licensed taxis and private hire vehicles, please make sure you:
- never get into a private hire vehicle if you have not booked it through an operator
- book private hire vehicles in advance - the driver will not be insured to carry you if you don’t
- check that the vehicle you’re getting into is the vehicle you booked – if you booked via an app, the vehicle details will be included in your confirmation of booking message
- don’t tell the driver your name; ask what name is on the booking
- find out where the nearest rank is in relation to where you’re going so that you can get straight into a vehicle when you’re ready to go home
- avoid leaving the busy areas and heading down the back streets which attract uninsured and unlicensed vehicles
- look out for the required signage on the vehicle – Private Hire Vehicles will have the Council Plate on the back of the vehicle and window stickers in the back side windows on each side and the name of the operator on the door, Taxis will also have a plate on the back of the vehicle, window stickers and a light up taxi sign on the vehicle roof.
- always try and take down the vehicle's plate number or registration number.
- after nights out try and travel with friends and check that the last person dropped off made it home safely
- You can ask your driver for a receipt at the end of the journey and can also ask them for the vehicle number