The Council is responsible for the licensing of hackney carriage (taxis) and private hire vehicles, which carry passengers for hire and reward up to a maximum of 8 passenger seats, vehicles over 8 passenger seats are required to be licensed by the Area Traffic Commissioner. The Council is also responsible for the licensing the drivers and operators of these vehicles.
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.
Taxi Fares and Charges
Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Fares and Charges changed in 2024 following consultation with the drivers and the public.
Private hire vehicles are exempt from statutory charging and do not by law have to carry a fare charging meter. They are free to charge a similar amount for a journey as would be charged by a Hackney Carriage (Taxi).
However, the majority of Private Hire Vehicles in the Castle Point Borough are actually equipped with fare charging meters and their charges are similar to Hackney Carriage charges.
If you drive a Hackney Carriage (Taxi), Castlepoint Borough Council regulate the fare you can charge your customers. Please see the Authorised Fares for Hackney Carriage for information regarding the current fares.
If you drive a private hire vehicle, we do not regulate the fare you can charge your customers.
The fare should be agreed between the operator and the customer when the customer makes the booking.
Castle Point Borough Council has a statutory responsibility to licence the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire trade.
- Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
- Hackney Carriage Taxi & Private Hire Policy
- Taxi Fare Increase Fare Chart
Hackney Carriage Vehicles (Taxis) - Public safety is the main reason why the licensing of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles, drivers and operators is regulated. The Council is required to ensure that all licence holders are ‘Fit and Proper’ persons to be licensed and that vehicles are accessible and safe.
A licensed taxi may be hired at one of the Boroughs taxi ranks, or it can be hailed in the street or be pre booked. Hackney Carriage vehicles display the Councils door sticker on the front doors and a licence plate to the front and rear of the vehicle. The plate is white and displays full details of the vehicle that is licensed. All hackney carriage vehicles must display a taxi roof sign and carry a taximeter. Wheelchair Accessible vehicles display an orange plate.
Private Hire Vehicles
Private Hire vehicles must be pre booked. These vehicles display the Councils door sticker on the front doors and a licence plate to the the front and rear of the vehicle. The plate is yellow and displays full details of the vehicle that is licensed.
Stretch Limousines
These vehicles carrying up to 8 passengers for hire and reward must be licensed with the Local Authority or Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). Stretch limousines licensed with a local authority are not permitted under any circumstances to carry more than 8 passengers.
Initial Application (Drivers)
Before a person can drive a licensed vehicle, whether it be a Hackney Carriage or a Private Hire vehicle they must fulfil the following criteria:
- Be over 21 years of age
- Have held a full DVLA driving licence for three years or more and meet the Previous Convictions Licensing Standards
- Pass a medical examination of fitness to drive (Group 2 standard)
- Complete an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check and meet the Previous Convictions Licensing Standards
- Pass certificate for a driving assessment for taxis and private hire vehicles
All applicants will be required to submit:-
- An application form
- A Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) form together with three forms of identification
- Proof of right to work
- Proof of English certificate if appropriate
- Medical fitness certificate
- DVLA check code
- The appropriate fee (details can be obtained from the Licensing Unit on 01268 882480)
- Pass certificates for a Disability Awareness and Safeguarding courses and produce the original certificate as proof of attendance.
- Pass certificate for a driving assessment for taxis and private hire vehicles
Applicants for a Hackney Carriage Licence will be required to sit a knowledge test, based on the Castle Point area.
Applying for a Licence - How to do this
To apply for a licence to become a driver and drive a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire vehicle or for any other queries, please contact the Licensing Team licensing@castlepoint.gov.uk
Lost Property
It is a condition of licence that all drivers finding lost property in their vehicles, hand the item(s) into a local police station or to the Licensing Office as soon as possible and in any event within 72 hours. If you have left your property in a licensed vehicle please report it to the above office. Your details will be recorded and you will be contacted if your property is returned to the Licensing Office. Please be aware that the driver is permitted to charge a small fee for the return of your property.
Complaints and Compliments
If you wish to make a compliment or complaint about a licensed driver or the service you have received please let us know. Please include the drivers licence plate or badge number together with the date and time of the incident and as much detail as possible.
licensing@castlepoint.gov.uk 01268 882480
Castle Point Borough Council, Kiln Road, Benfleet, Essex SS7 1TF