About Hackney Carriages (Taxis)
Hackney Carriages are the only vehicles which can ply for hire on the streets of Basildon Borough and pick up fares from a designated Taxi Rank.
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.
Hackney Carriages (Taxis) are the only vehicles which can ply for hire on the streets of Basildon, or pick up passengers on the designated Taxi Ranks situated throughout the Borough.
Every Hackney Carriage in Basildon is white with an orange bonnet and boot, displays a "TAXI" sign on its roof and a "FOR HIRE" sign in the front windscreen.
Every Hackney Carriage will display a license plate at the rear. This plate has an orange background with black lettering; showing the vehicle number, seating capacity and registration number.
In addition to the license plates, every Hackney Carriage vehicle must display signs on its front doors showing the words "LICENSED TAXI, BASILDON COUNCIL", in some cases rear door stickers will show the name and telephone number of their taxi Company.
Inside the vehicle there will also be a small windscreen sticker showing the vehicle number, a Fare Card issued by the Council showing the current rate of fares being charged, and a taxi-meter, which the driver MUST operate for any journey within the Borough boundaries.
All drivers of Hackney Carriage 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 Hackney Carriage 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 license 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