Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy 2021 to 2026

To contact the Licensing Service telephone 01642 524802 or email licensing.administration@stockton.gov.uk.

What is the difference between a taxi and a private hire vehicle?

• taxis are Hackney Carriages and are licensed to pick people up from the roadside, i.e. hailing a cab and can operate from any designated Hackney Carriage Stand (ranks) within the Borough
• private Hire Vehicles are only permitted to pick up pre-arranged bookings and are not permitted to pick people up from the side of the road

How to identify a licensed vehicle in Stockton-on-Tees?

All licensed vehicles in Stockton-on-Tees display Stockton Council Logo door stickers, on both front doors, a front identification plate and a rear identification plate. The rear identification plate will also show the expiry date of this licence.

A Stockton Council licensed taxi/hackney carriage is:

• all black in colour
• displays yellow front door stickers
• displays yellow front and rear identification plates
• has a roof sign, showing the word 'Taxi'

A Stockton Council licensed private hire vehicle Is:

• any colour, other than black
• displays white front door stickers
• displays white front and rear identification plates
• does NOT have a roof sign

Driver and vehicle numbers are displayed in the front windscreen of all Stockton licensed vehicles and on window stickers in all passenger windows.

How to use a taxi/hackney carriage within the borough of Stockton

• go to a designated rank, there are ranks throughout the Borough
• hail a licensed vehicle in the street
• pre-book directly with the driver or through a licensed operator
• the fare will be charged based on the meter reading. When a journey ends outside the Council's area a fare greater than that shown on the meter may be charged but only if an agreement has been made with the hirer in advance. In the absence of such an agreement, only the metered fare can be charged. Failure to comply with this is an offence
• ensure the meter is not running when you enter the vehicle
• confirm your destination point before you enter the vehicle
• note the vehicle and driver licence numbers when you enter the vehicle

How to use a private hire vehicle

• pre-book with a licensed operator via phone, app, online or at their office
• a register of licensed operators can be found on the website
• a record is kept of your journey, your driver and the vehicle
• confirm the pick-up point and drop off points at the time of booking
• confirm the fare to be charged at the time of booking
• when the driver arrives confirm your booking, before you enter the vehicle
• note the vehicle and driver licence numbers when you enter the vehicle

Safety points when travelling, especially alone

• sit in the back of the vehicle, behind the driver
• let a third party know details of your journey, when you set off and when you expect to arrive
• confirm the vehicle and driver licence numbers to the third party, if possible
• it's not safe to get in an un-booked Private Hire Vehicle and it's illegal for the driver to pick you up if you haven't booked in advance (there is no record of the journey and you could be putting yourself at risk)

 Remember:

• charge your phone before you go out so you can call a taxi/private hire operator
• ask the price of the fare when booking. If you've confirmed a price over the phone, the driver shouldn't charge you anymore
• don't wait for your taxi alone, make sure your friends wait with you
• don't let a drunk friend travel alone, even in a pre-booked private hire vehicle

Making a comment/complaint about a driver/vehicle/operator

If you wish to make a complaint about a driver, vehicle or operator then you need to contact the Local Council, with whom they are licensed. You can submit your comment/complaints regarding a Stockton licensed driver, vehicle, or operator by telephone or via email. To contact the Licensing Service telephone 01642 524802 or email licensing.administration@stockton.gov.uk.

An online comment/complaint form is also available on our website. 

We will ask you for your name, address and contact details. This information is not disclosed.

Please try to have as much information as possible to allow the Council Officers to fully identify the driver/vehicle/operator and conduct a comprehensive investigation.

Note down as much information as you have, including:

• vehicle number - this is on the front and rear plates, front door stickers, inside the windscreen and on all passenger windows of the vehicle
• driver badge number - this is on the driver's person and inside the windscreen
• date and time of booking and journey
• document an account of the incident as soon as possible to ensure an accurate account of what happened and when

When you make your complaint, the details will be referred to an Officer, who will contact you to discuss the complaint further. You may be asked to provide written statement; the purpose of a witness statement is to provide written evidence to support the complaint that may be used as evidence.

Depending on the severity, it is possible that the complaint may be escalated to the Licensing Committee for them to determine what action to take. If this is the chosen route, then you may be asked to attend the committee hearing to provide your evidence in person.

The Licensing Committee have the powers to revoke a driver, vehicle or operators licence, which means that they will no longer be able to carry out licensable activity within the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees.

If this is deemed the appropriate course of action, then the driver does have a right of appeal to the Magistrates Court. If the driver exercises his/her right of appeal, you will be asked to attend Court as a witness to your complaint.