Hackney carriage licences
Hackney carriages, often referred to as taxis, may be hired as follows:
- Hailed in the street
- From a taxi rank
- By pre-booking
The maximum fares for journeys within the city are regulated by the city council. Southampton's licence conditions require such vehicles to be predominantly white in colour. They can only ever be driven by the holder of a hackney carriage driver's licence from the city council, whether or not the vehicles are available for hire.
The licence conditions require that hackney carriages have either an integral "taxi" roof sign (purpose built vehicles) or a full width "taxi" roof sign. The vehicle also has a red and white licence plate on the rear of the vehicle, the details of which are reproduced on a sticker in the windscreen.
Copies of the hackney carriage policy and conditions and the 1970 bye-law for hackney carriages and motor vehicles let for hire are available below.
Clean air compliance
From 1 January 2020, we’re making additions to the taxi licensing conditions. Find out how these will affect you.
Hackney carriage applications
Application forms, including dock permits and guidance for change of vehicle on an existing licence and notification of the change of address of an existing licence holder. You are strongly advised to seek the advice of the licensing team before purchasing any vehicle to be licensed as a hackney carriage.
Please note that the Licensing Committee has determined that, as a matter of policy, vehicles must be fitted with a digital taxi cameras to the satisfaction of the council. This requirement will be effective immediately on the grant of a new licence (other than by way of renewal) or on the replacement of a licensed vehicle. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has confirmed that vehicle proprietors may claim back the net cost of camera installations against tax over one year.
The council has adopted a taxi policy. Appendix 1 of that policy details the policy and conditions for hackney carriage licences, including a requirement for at least a basic DBS check of all those named on the licence to be supplied.
Docks permits
Associated British Ports reached agreement in March 2009 for Southampton City Council's licensing team to issue permits allowing Southampton licensed hackney carriages access to ABP's docks land with effect from 1 April 2009. The agreement with ABP is for renewable five year periods. There is an application form. All payments should be made to Southampton City Council via the licensing office at the Civic Centre. Please note that no Southampton licensed hackney carriage can stand or ply for hire on ABP docks land (including Town Quay) without such a permit.
Temporary Vehicles
For our Policy document and application form for a temporary vehicle. The accident report form must be completed prior to any application for a temporary vehicle.
Itchen Bridge concessions
Proprietors or drivers of hackney carriages/private hire vehicles with a height at first axle of over 1.33 metres may apply for a SmartCities payment card which offers a reduced rate or these vehicles.
Quantity Control
The Licensing Committee considered an independent survey on the demand for the services of licensed hackney carriages in the city at its meeting on 5 December 2018 and, having been made aware of government guidance and the body of case law, determined that there was no significant unmet demand for the services of additional licensed hackney carriages in the city. The policy is reviewed every three years.
A total of 283 hackney carriages are licensed by Southampton City Council.
For further information, please see the taxi and private hire notice board.
