What are Hackney Carriages?
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 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 byelaw for hackney carriages and motor vehicles let for hire are available below.
Quantity Control
On 11th March 2009, the Licensing Committee considered an independent survey on the demand for the services of licensed hackney carriages in the city and determined that there was significant unmet demand for the services of 20 additional licensed hackney carriages in the city. These new licences will be issued over a three year period commencing on 1st December 2009, bringing the total number of licensed hackney carriages in the city to 283 by December 2011. The opportunity to apply for a new licence was determined by ballot on 30th September 2009. For further information, please see the taxi and private hire notice board.
In accordance with government guidance and a substantial body of case law, the Licensing Committee will need to reconsider this matter no later than the autumn of 2011.
Applications
Forms for change of vehicle on an existing licence and notification of the change of address of an existing licence holder can be found below. 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 determined on 26th August 2009 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. HMRC has confirmed that vehicle proprietors can claim the net cost of camera installations against tax over one year. Please also see the Vehicle Application Guidance below for details of the requirements for new and replacement licensed vehicles, including information about the required taxi cameras.
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 1st April 2009. The agreement with ABP is for a five year period. The application form is available below. All payments should be made to Southampton City Council via the licensing office at Southbrook Rise. Please note that, from 1st April 2009, no Southampton licensed hackney carriage has been able to access ABP's docks land without the new permit - all previous docks permits were void after 31st March 2009.
Southampton City Council
