Taxi Licensing information for passengers and the general public

Hackney Carriages can be flagged down and stopped by waving at them in the streets if their "for hire" light is on. Hackney Carriages can also be found at the various taxi ranks in Coventry. If you telephone a Private Hire Operator for a taxi then unless you specify whether you require a specific vehicle then either a hackney carriage (London estate or people carrier) may arrive.

Coventry City Council provides taxi ranks and taxi feeder lanes in Coventry. These can only be used by Coventry licensed Hackney Carriage Vehicles.

Please note: Please be aware that virtually all drivers are self-employed and if they use a Private Hire Operator or Hackney Carriage call centre for receiving bookings then this does not mean that they are employed by the operator or call centre.

Hackney Carriage Vehicles

It is mandatory for Hackney Carriages to use a meter when a journey is within Coventry and cannot charge more than the meter indicates at the journey's destination.

This meter works on both distance and time. Therefore if there is slow-moving traffic the price may be higher than if the traffic is light. If the journey is going outside the boundaries of Coventry then the driver can refuse to take the customer or agree a price with the customer, however this amount has to be agreed before the journey commences (in this instance it is not mandatory to use the meter).

Private Hire Vehicles

Saloons, estates or people carriers are examples of private hire vehicles. There is no mandatory requirement for these vehicles to carry and use a meter whether the journey is inside or outside the city boundaries. However, some Private Hire Vehicles do carry a meter for the customer's benefit. The price of the journey is agreed between the driver and the passenger, however this must be agreed before the journey starts.

Private Hire Operators

Private Hire Operators (PHOs) are companies who despatch private hire vehicles for pre-booked journeys. Some Private Hire Operators may also despatch hackney carriage vehicles which may or may not be licensed by Coventry City Council. Depending on which vehicle you prefer please ensure at the time of booking that this is specified.

Taxi Licensing Policy Document 2022-2027

Details on the public registers.