About Private Hire Vehicles
By law Private Hire vehicles are NOT permitted to pick up fares from anywhere unless a booking has been made with the company operating the vehicle.
All drivers and vehicles licensed by Basildon Borough Council are thoroughly checked.
Drivers are subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks and a test of their knowledge of the Basildon Borough.
The vehicles are examined mechanically every six months.
To help members of the travelling public understand how they operate the Licensing Office has produced the following notes.
PRIVATE HIRE vehicles by law, are not permitted to pick up passengers unless a booking has previously been made with the company operating the vehicle. If you want to book a private hire vehicle, you may do so by letter, by telephone, or in person at the company office.
Every Private Hire vehicle licensed by Basildon Council must display a licence plate at the rear. This plate has a yellow background with black lettering showing the vehicle number, seating capacity and registration number.
A small windscreen sticker, again showing the vehicle number, must also be displayed inside the vehicle.
In addition to the licence plates, every Private Hire Vehicle must display signs on the front doors showing the words "LICENSED PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE, BASILDON COUNCIL. THIS VEHICLE MUST BE PRE-BOOKED". In some cases, rear door stickers show the name and telephone number of their company.
Throughout Basildon, you may see Private Hire vehicles parked. These parked vehicles cannot legally pick up passengers who have not previously booked the vehicle.
All drivers of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles must be licensed with the Council. They are issued with a badge which shows their photograph, badge number and expiry date of their licence. These badges must be worn by the driver, prominently, where you can see them.
If you are in any doubt as to the legitimacy of a vehicle or its driver DO NOT GET INSIDE! It is better to be safe than sorry.
If you have reason to suspect that any private hire driver or vehicle is unlicensed, please contact the Police or the Council's Licensing Officer on (01268) 206925
Should you have any cause to complain about a vehicle or driver make sure you obtain the vehicle's licence number, or registration number, or the driver's badge number then contact:
The Licensing Officer:
Basildon Borough Council,
The Basildon Centre,
St Martin's Square,
Basildon, Essex SS14 1DL.
Tel. (01268) 206925