Staying Safe and Wheelchair accessible taxis
Staying Safe
Knowing the differences between taxis (hackney carriages) and private hire vehicles can help you make an informed choice when identifying licensed vehicles and the increased risks of using unlicensed vehicles.
A taxi, also known as a Hackney Carriage, can be pre-booked but you can also flag them down or approach a driver at a taxi rank. To pre-book a Hackney Carriage vehicle contact the driver directly.
If a taxi is on a taxi rank then it is available for hire, and the driver is duty bound to take your fare, within the district, and cannot refuse to carry you unless they have a reasonable excuse.
A Horsham District taxi can be identified by:
- vehicle will be white in colour
- a licence plate attached to the back of the vehicle
- a window card in the front windscreen
- a “taxi” roof sign that will light up when the taxi is available
The licence plate and window card are white in colour and should provide the licence number, vehicle details and licence expiry date. Taxis do not have door signs on the front doors.
The driver must hold a valid Hackney Carriage Drivers Licence
Both the vehicle, driver, and operator must be licensed by the same local authority.
The council sets taxi fares and drivers cannot charge more than the amount showing on the meter at the end of your journey. The only exception to this is where your journey will finish outside of the council area and you have agreed the fare beforehand.
When using a taxi, passengers should where possible:
- use a taxi rank and choose one staffed by taxi marshals if available
Private hire vehicles must be pre-booked through a licensed private hire operator. If the vehicle isn’t pre-booked the vehicle may not be insured and the driver would be breaking the law.
A Horsham District licensed private hire vehicle (minicab) is identified by:
- vehicle will NOT be white in colour
- a licence plate attached to the back of the vehicle
- a window card in the front windscreen
These plates and signs are yellow in colour and should provide the licence number, vehicle details and licence expiry date.
Wheelchair Accessible
When making a booking it is advisable to ensure that the operator that you contact has a suitable vehicle to accommodate your specific wheelchair or mobility requirements.
Please see below a list of taxi companies who have wheelchair accessible vehicles available for hire.
The taxi plate number can be found on the licence plate at the back of the car.
Name of Cab Company: Hackney Carriage
Plate Number: H035
Telephone Number: 07702003393
Name of Cab Company: Hackney Carriage
Plate Number:H050
Telephone Number: 07939 470270
N.B. Hackney Carriage Vehicles can be hailed, flagged down in the street or hired from a taxi rank.
Name of Cab Company: Jake’s Cars
Plate Number: P511
Telephone Number: 01403786818
N.B. Private hire vehicles must be pre-booked through a licensed private hire operator.