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Hackney Carriages

Hackney carriages are vehicles (not necessarily motor vehicles as the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 received royal assent before the invention of the internal combustion engine) of any form or construction that is used either to ply for hire in the street either by hailing or by waiting on a rank to be hired.

Plying for Hire

Plying for hire means that the vehicle in question is on view and the owner or driver should either expressly or by implication invite the public to use it, and the member of the public should be able to use that vehicle if he/she wanted to. Hackney carriages may be stopped and hired in the street or wait on ranks for a fare when not hired. This differs from private hire vehicles that must be pre-booked.

Hackney carriages must be licensed by the local authority and must display a numbered plate issued by the local authority on the front and rear of the vehicle.

The driver of a hackney carriage must also be licensed by the local authority and must wear the identification badge issued by the authority in a clear and readable position.

Fares

A hackney carriage, when working within the district where it is licensed, is required to use the meter to determine the fare charged and must have the maximum tariff displayed in the vehicle where it can be clearly seen by the passengers. Where the journey starts or ends outside of the district the requirement to use a meter ceases and the fare may be agreed between the driver and the hirer. Where no such contract is made the hirer cannot be charged more than that displayed on the taximeter or that would have been displayed had the meter been utilised

Applications for driver and vehicle licenses must be made on the appropriate form and be accompanied by the relevant fee and accompanying documentation.

Contact the Licensing Section

Telephone: 01304 872295
E-mail: licensing@dover.gov.uk