Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles
Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing
The Council is responsible for the licensing of hackney carriage
(taxis) and private hire vehicles, which carry passengers for hire
and reward. They also licence the drivers and operators of these
vehicles up to a maximum of 8 passenger seats, vehicles over 8
passenger seats are required to be licensed by the Traffic
Commissioner at Cambridge.
Hackney Carriage Vehicles (Taxis)
A licensed taxi may be hired at one of the Districts taxi ranks,
or be hailed in the street or be pre booked. Hackney Carriage
vehicles display the Councils door sticker on the rear doors and a
licence plate to the rear of the vehicle. The plate is yellow
and displays full details of the vehicle including the number of
persons it is licensed to carry. All hackney carriage
vehicles must display a taxi roof sign and carry a taximeter.
There are currently 215 vehicles licensed of various types,
including saloons, minibuses, MPV's and wheelchair accessible
vehicles.
Taxi Ranks
Authorised taxi ranks can be found at the following locations in
the Rochford District:
| High Street, Rayleigh |
8 spaces situated outside 'Boots The Chemist' (Feeder rank of
6 spaces outside Barclays Bank).
|
|
The Approach,
Rayleigh
|
3 spaces at the rear of Railway Station |
|
Bramerton Road,
Hockley
|
2 spaces near junction with Spa Road |
|
Plumberow Avenue,
Hockley
|
2 spaces outside Railway Station car park |
| Spa Road, Hockley |
1 space outside Somerfield Supermarket |
| Market Square, Rochford |
5 spaces |
| Golden Cross Parade |
2 spaces near junction with Rectory Road |
|
High Street, Great Wakering
|
3 spaces near junction with Mercer Avenue
|
The Railway Authority has also provided, and controls, areas for
taxis at each of the 3 stations within the district at Rayleigh,
Rochford and Hockley.
Lost Property in a Taxi
It is a licence condition that all drivers finding lost property
in their vehicles, hand the items into the Transportation Office
within 48 hours. If you have left your property in a licensed
vehicle please report it to the Hackney Carriage Officer. Your
details will be recorded and you will be contacted as soon as the
driver has handed in your property. Please be aware that the driver
is permitted to charge a small fee for the return of your
property.
Private Hire Vehicles
There are 41 private hire vehicles licensed within the
district, these vehicles must be pre booked and are generally used
by operators for contract hire, executive hire and airport work
etc. Private hire vehicles display the Councils door sticker on the
rear doors and a licence plate to the rear of the vehicle unless
there is an exemption for signage then the plate will be carried in
the vehicle together with an exemption certificate. The plate
is green and white and displays full details of the vehicle
including the number of person it is licensed to
carry. If you are thinking of booking a vehicle to take
you to the airport or for any special occasion (except a wedding),
please ensure that the operator is licensed with the Local
Authority from which he operates.
Stretch Limousines, Vintage/Classic Vehicles including Horse
Drawn Carriages
These vehicles are carrying passenger for hire and reward
and must be licensed with the Local Authority or with the Traffic
Commissioners. Vehicles licensed with the Local Authority are not
permitted to carry more than 8 passengers. Potential limousine
operators are advised to check the Related Links
section below for the current advice for licensing
of these vehicles. If a limousine has more than 320 centimetres
(128 inches) of seating area they must be licensed with the Traffic
Commissioners. Currently there are no stretch limousines,
vintage/classic or horse drawn vehicles licensed by Rochford
District Council.
Drivers
There are 294 licensed drivers, each undergoing a medical
examination of fitness to drive and being vetted by the Police to
ensure they are a fit and proper person to carry passengers. A
licensed driver must wear his authorised badge for identification.
A licensed Hackney Carriage Drivers badge is yellow and displays
their photograph, badge number and expiry date. A licensed Private
Hire drivers badge is green and displays their photograph, badge
number and expiry date.
Exemptions from Licensing
The only exemptions from licensing a vehicle for the carriage of
passengers for hire and reward are vehicles exclusively used as
wedding and funeral cars.
Complaints and Compliments
If you wish to make a complaint about a licensed driver or the
service you have received please do so, in writing, to the Hackney
Carriage Officer and include the drivers licence plate number or
badge number. Together with a date and time of the incident. If the
complaint refers to driving, please inform the Hackney Carriage
Officer and the Traffic Police if you feel the drivers actions were
dangerous. Compliments can be made in writing or by telephone to
the Hackney Carriage Officer.
Applying for a Licence
To apply for a licence to drive a hackney carriage or private
hire vehicle or for any other query please also contact the Hackney
Carriage Officer.
Contact Details
Hackney Carriage Officer,
Transportation Office,
Civic Suite,
Rayleigh,
Essex, SS6 8EB.
Telephone: 01268 798607
Facsimile: 01268 798604
Email: transportation@rochford.gov.uk