Plymouth taxi drivers pass the test

100 per cent of Plymouth’s private hire drivers who were stopped in a recent test purchase operation passed.

Over the past month two test purchase operations have been carried out and of the 19 private hire drivers approached no unauthorised journeys were accepted. 

The taxi licensing team undertake regular test purchase operations to find out whether private hire drivers hold the correct licence to work and if they will accept passengers without a pre-booking, this is commonly known as “plying for hire.”

Councillor John Riley the Cabinet Member responsible for Licensing said: “I’m really pleased with the results of our latest test purchase operations. We carry them out to make sure private hire drivers abide by the conditions of their licence.

“All private hire journeys must be pre-booked through their respective operator, pick-ups by private hire  vehicles are not covered by the vehicle’s insurance, so this in turn puts passengers at risk. If passengers have problems the journey will not be recorded and the circumstances of any complaint are more difficult to investigate.”

Hackney carriage (Taxi) drivers can ‘ply for hire’ off the street or from the Council’s appointed taxi ranks situated throughout the city.

Passengers are reminded that yellow door stickers are attached to the front doors of private hire vehicles which clearly state that the driver can only take pre-booked fares do not try to flag down a private hire vehicle. You are not covered by their insurance and you are putting yourself at unnecessary risk.

Councillor Riley added: “I will soon be looking to engage with Private Hire drivers, Operators and Hackney Carriage drivers to seek to improve the taxi service available to Plymouth City residents and visitors alike.

“Making a start with that process I would welcome observations, comments, opinions and experiences from the wider public as to the quality of taxi service currently available in the city, their views as customers are invaluable.”

The Taxi Licensing Team can be contacted on taxi.licensing@plymouth.gov.ukor 01752 304141.