While London Black Cabs are reliable and safe way of travelling around London, they are not the only vehicles operating for hire in London. The London black cabs are hackney carriages licensed by the Public Carriage Office (P.C.O.) and are the only form of hire vehicle a person can hail on the street in London, and also the only form of hire vehicle that can legally display the words or otherwise imply they are a 'Taxi' or 'Cab' but if you have the time to pick up a phone and order a Private Hire vehicle there is another alternative.

Private Hire

There are approximately 50,000 Private Hire vehicles (also known colloquially as MinicabsThe Private Hire industry is trying to discourage the use of the term 'minicab'.) working in London. These are generally normal cars so if you order one always check the drivers photo Identity Card to ensure he is from the company you ordered the vehicle from. Until recently the Private Hire trade was unregulated but in 1998 the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act was passed into law, after years of campaigning by the London Private Hire Car Association and the The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, giving responsibility for the licensing of London's Private Hire Fleet to the Public Carriage Office and Transport For London. Today, if you order a Private Hire vehicle the company you order it from should have an operators license from the Public Carriage Office (the same people who licence London’s famous Black Cabs)as are the Driversall London Private Hire drivers must be licenced by the P.C.O. as of 1st June 2003 and in the near future vehicles will also be licensed.

In the past Private Hire drivers have had a poor reputation; this was partly due to the unregulated nature of the trade and partly due to the fact that the press and the public had problems differentiating between legal Private Hire vehicles and illegal touts. According to Steve Wright, chairman of the London Private Hire Car Association 'There is a public perception that is wrong about the industry'. Never get in a vehicle that stops and the driver says he's a cab unless it is licensed Black Cab, Private Hire vehicles can only pick up by appointment, to do otherwise would invalidate the drivers insurance and break the law.

There are wide range of Private Hire services available from Stretched Limousines to Blue badge Driver/Tourist guides. There are companies that serve the corporate market, companies that specialise in airport transfers and companies that will pick you up from the supermarket with your shopping and get you home after a night out.

Ordering a Private Hire vehicle

You must order your vehicle before your journey, you can do this in person, by telephone or online or (in the City of London) from a on street terminal (Note: you cannot legally make a booking with a driver). Always make sure you use a reputable companyA comprehensive register of licensed operators is available for public inspection at the Public Carriage Office, 15 Penton Street, London N1 9PU, weekdays between 09.00 and 16.00, a copy of which should be on display to the public at their operating centre(s) (you can also check the list of licensed Private Hire companies) online.. Additionally check to see if the company is London Private Hire Car Association GradedCompanies are graded from 1 to 5 star, with special status 'caps' awards for companies able to demonstrate Executive and Chauffeur services. Only Graded Companies can use the London Private Hire Car Association 'Safe in Our Hands' logo on publicity material. and/or is ISO 9001 accredited. When your vehicle arrives check the drivers ID card to ensure that they are from the company you ordered the vehicle from, and also check that the driver knows your name.

When you order your cab the operator is required to take the following information

• Your Name
• Time of pick up
• Pickup Address
• Destination
• Contact phone number

You should tell the operator if you have any specific requirements when ordering the vehicle, these might be things such as;

• Female Driver. If you require a female driver ask when booking the vehicle, although not all companies will have female drivers available, and if they do you may have a long wait for one as they tend to be in demand.
• Animals. Most Private Hire drivers will not carry animals so if you have a pet with you let the operator know when you book the vehicle and they can send a driver that will carry animals; this may incur an extra charge. If you have trouble finding a Private Hire operator that will take pets try contacting the local vets and ask them who they use. Guide Dogs should not be a problem.
• Smoking. There is no legal right for passengers to smoke in Private Hire vehicles, it is at the drivers discretion if you specifically require a smoking or non-smoking vehicle ask when booking.

If you ask how much the journey will cost the operator is legally required to give you a 'fair and reasonable estimate'. In other words the estimate should not vary by more than about 10% from the price charged - if it does ask why. If you're not happy with the answer, complain.

Driver and Vehicle

When your vehicle arrives the driver and vehicle should be clean and tidy; if the vehicle appears to be over ten years old send it away, it is almost impossibleThe main exception being classic vehicles on the wedding circuit. to get Hire and Reward insurance for vehicles over ten years old. At the moment Private Hire vehicles undergo the standard MOT test once a year but when vehicle licensing is brought in this is expected to increase to two or three times a year. In addition to the basic "Knowledge" test that a driver is required to take as part of the requirements for his Private Hire licence most reputable Private Hire operators will test a driver's knowledge of the roads and ability to use a London map before taking them on. If you have a problem with the route your driver is taking ask him/her about it - there may be a good reason, eg avoiding road works, but then again they just be a plonker.

How Much Do They Cost?

There is no central regulation of fares and the majority of Private Hire vehicles do not have any form of meter. Private Hire vehicles are not always cheaper than black cabs, it will depend on the journey, the time of day and type of vehicle you order as to which is the cheapest. Always remember that different companies charge different rates - just because you paid one price going to your destination doesn't mean you will pay the same on the return journey if you use a different company. Companies also use different methods of charging; some charge by the mile, some by postcode and yet others operate a zoning system. It is a very good idea to get an estimate when you order the vehicle.

The central London Congestion Charge should not effect the price you pay, as Private Hire Vehicles ARE exempt from the Congestion Charge.

As a rule of thumb expect to pay a minimum charge of about £5.00 which should include the first mile and about £1.50 a mile thereafter, remembering that the closer you are to central London the higher the fare will be (with minimum fares of £10.00 not being uncommon in the City and West End. Always ask for an estimate when you order a cab (Prices quoted are typical fares at the time of writing - Spring 2002)). Not all Private Hire companies take credit cards or cheques, if you intend to pay by either of these check that the company accepts them before ordering.

Additional charges are also made for estate cars, MPV'sMPV's are cars that take more than four passangers in addition to the driver. and executive vehicles. If you order one of these vehicles expect to pay about normal fare, plus half fare. Charges will also be made for waiting time (expect five minutes to charged at the equivalent of one mile). Always remember that you tend to get what you pay for - if a company is only charging 70 pence a mile ask yourself, why?

Special Needs Passengers

In general Private Hire operators, drivers and vehicles are under no legal obligation to accommodate passengers with special needs but none the less most are willing to accommodate such. You should let the operator know of any such needs when ordering you vehicle. The only extra charge you may have to pay is waiting time if the loading/unloading time is extended.

Luggage

Most Private Hire vehicles are normal family sized saloons so be sensible about luggage. If you need an estate car or a second vehicle to accommodate your luggage order one and also bear in mind that most MPV's have very limited luggage space. Providing that your luggage will fit in the boot of a normal family sized saloon you should not be charged any extra for it.

IF you are in an accident

Private Hire drivers are required to have Hire and Reward insurance which will typically give cover up to about £5,000,000, although the exact amount will vary depending on who the policy is with. If you are involved in an accident take the drivers insurance details. If there is a problem the Private Hire operatorThe Private Hire operator is the company you ordered the cab from. is required to keep copies of the drivers insurance.

IF you have a complaint

If you're not happy with the service offered then complain. Unless it is a very minor complaint don't bother complaining to the driver; you should complain to the operator through which you booked the cab. If you're not happy with the response you get from the operator then you can complain to the Public carriage office. You can do this in person or by post or e-mail, you can find out how to do this at Private Hire Licensing complaints section of the Public Carriage Office web-site. In an emergency, call the Police.

If you repeatedly get poor service from the company you use - use another company, there is no shortage of choice.

And Finally

Despite all the warnings given above remember that in general Private Hire vehicles provide a safe and reliable service.

Taxis Travelling in London