Hackney Carriage Licensing

What is a Hackney Carriage?
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, 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.

Quantity Control
Early in 2006, 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 no significant demand for the services of additional licensed hackney carriages in the city. In view of this, the number of licensed hackney carriages in the city remains at 263 and all available licences have been issued.

In accordance with government guidance, a further survey will be commissioned towards the end of 2008. The results will be reported to the Licensing Committee when they are known.

Application Forms
Forms for change of vehicle on an existing licence and notification of the change of address of an existing licence holder can be found in the related documents links on the right of this page. You are strongly advised to seek the advice of the licensing team before purchasing any vehicle to be licensed as a hackney carriage.

Contact Information

Email: licensing@southampton.gov.uk

Telephone: 023 8083 2792

Fax: 023 8083 4061

Postal address:
Licensing Team
Southampton City Council
PO Box 1344
Southampton
SO15 1WQ

Document Exchange: DX 115710 Southampton 17

Personal callers:
Licensing Team
Southbrook Rise
4-8 Millbrook Road East
Southampton
SO15 1YG

Opening hours:
Members of the licensing team will normally be available at Southbrook Rise to assist personal callers on weekdays between 09:00 and 12:00 and between 14:00 and 16:00. We may be available at other times by prior appointment.

Please note that the addresses and numbers given above should only be used for communication with the licensing team.