About Taxi Licensing

The term 'taxi' is a general term used to describe both hackney carriages and private hire vehicles. Whilst both types of vehicle may look the same there are significant differences in the way they operate and the law that governs the way they carry out their business.

We have three licensing objectives:

• To ensure that, before any licence is issued, the driver of any hackney carriage or private hire vehicle is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence
• To ensure public safety and confidence in the condition and operation of any hackney carriage or private hire vehicles licensed by us
• To ensure and promote a high quality, professional service to the residents of and visitors to the Dover District.

We are the enforcement body in respect of any breaches of legislation and policy by both hackney carriage and private hire drivers and operators and deal with complaints from members of the public.

We set the fares that may be charged by hackney carriage operators and fees for licensing. There is no power to set the fees of private hire vehicles.

We licence all drivers as both hackney carriage and private hire vehicle drivers.

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