Summary
This page, and associated linked pages, is intended to provide the public, who may hire or book a taxi, with brief details and guidance about how to make a few simple checks to discover if the operator, vehicle and driver are correctly licensed before embarking on a journey.
Link pages.
Staying Safe when using Taxis ‘page 1’ |
Staying Safe when using Taxis ‘page 2’ |
Staying Safe when using Taxis ‘page 3’
We Check so You May Travel Safely!
Have a Safe Journey!
We are asking the public to be more aware of safety issues when travelling in public vehicles and, for your own safety when embarking on a journey, to check that vehicles and drivers are correctly licensed and therefore, you and they are properly insured to carry passengers and that you can be sure you are safe to embark and carry-out your journey.
Keep Yourself Safe!
If you suspect or notice anything that may be bogus or amiss, you are advised to contact us on telephone number 0116 257 2708 or the local Police on telephone number 0116 222 2222 and make a report.
Vehicle or Driver may be Bogus!
A Guide - How to keep yourself Safe
Never consider getting into a vehicle to take you on a journey when:-
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Neither the vehicle or the driver is displaying their respective licenses
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The vehicle licence, commonly known as a ‘plate’, is out of date or does not reflect the description of the vehicle it is displayed upon.
The ‘plate’ will be found on the rear of the vehicle usually adjacent to the bumper or the vehicle registration number plate where it should be clearly visible for all to read.
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The drivers licence, commonly known as a 'badge', is out of date or does not reflect the description of the person who is wearing it.
You should never agree to travel in an unlicensed vehicle with an unlicensed driver. The driver must be wearing his ‘badge’ where it can be clearly seen by you.
The following guidance would also be useful to note to keep yourself safe.
If the vehicle or driver is not displaying the correct, valid and current licence there may not be any valid insurance for the driver, the vehicle, you or other passengers to make the journey.
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council licensed vehicles can be identified by the distinct vehicle licence plate which shows the Council's crest and the words ‘Oadby and Wigston Borough Council’.
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council Hackney Carriage ‘plates’ are predominantly blue in colour and will display the words ‘Hackney Carriage’
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council Private Hire Vehicle ‘plates’ are predominantly dark orange in colour and will display the words ‘Private Hire Vehicle’
Both types of ‘plate’ will also display the licence number of the vehicle; the vehicle registration number; the maximum number of passengers the vehicle is allowed to carry and the licence expiry date.
Vehicles licensed by Oadby and Wigston Borough Council must also display an 'Internal Plate', being the same colour and providing the same details as the rear licence plate. This should be sited on the front nearside of the vehicle windscreen, facing inwards so it may be clearly seen by all passengers who are travelling in the vehicle.
If you pre-book your taxi, make a note of the company you are using, and the telephone number, and if possible leave it with a friend. Check that the that taxi arrives is the one you booked. Ask the Operator for a description of the car - colour, make, and so on. Check these details when the vehicle arrives. It would be good practice to also ask for the name of the driver beforehand.
When you get to your destination, ask the driver to wait and watch until you are safely inside.
If you are approached by someone in the street offering you or your friends a taxi or any other type of vehicle for hire, ignore them. This is called ‘touting’ and touting is an offence. Indeed, it is considered so serious that it has recently been made a recordable offence so that fingerprinting and DNA tests can be made on offenders.
If travelling alone, always sit behind the driver in the back seat.
If you feel uneasy, ask to be let out in a well-lit area where there are plenty of people.
If in any doubt, make an excuse and don't get in the vehicle.
REMEMBER!
If a vehicle does not display a licence plate, or a driver his drivers licence badge, then they are not licensed, have not been vetted for safety purposes and are not insured for your journey.
Help to protect yourself and others. Play your part in ensuring that unauthorised drivers and vehicles are not used.
Please contact the Council’s Licensing Section or the local Police if you have any issues relating to licensed or un-licensed Operators, Vehicles or Drivers.
If you have any reason to doubt whether the operator, vehicle or driver that you have used or propose to use is properly licensed, please contact:
The Council’s Licensing Team on 0116 257 2708
or email licensing@oadby-wigston.gov.uk|
Alternatively contact the local Police on 0116 222 2222