Taxis and minicabs
The Council is responsible for regulating the number of
taxis or Hackney Carriages in the borough. It does this through a
licencing scheme which also ensures that taxis are safe
and suitable and that the charges are fair.
Similar controls are in place for private hire vehicles or
minicabs and their drivers.
In Rochdale, the two types of vehicle licensed - Hackney
Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles - are easily distinguished
from each other by the fact that Hackney Carriages are either
purpose built 'London style' black cabs, or white saloons with a
roof sign.
Private Hire vehicles are usually 'saloon type' vehicles, of any
other colour other than white, but include mini buses with up to
and including eight passenger seats. They are not
allowed to display a roof sign, but must have signs on the front
doors identifying the operator under which they are operating and
the words "Advance Bookings Only".
Hackney Carriage Vehicles display a white plate on the front and
rear of the vehicle and Private Hire Vehicles display a red
plate. Both types of vehicle display a small window sticker
of the relevant colour inside the vehicle and the licence number on
the dashboard.
The basic difference between the two vehicles is that Hackney
Carriages can be "flagged down" on the street or at a rank and
Private Hire Vehicles must be pre-booked through an operator.
If a Private Hire Driver accepts a fare off the street without it
being pre-booked, they are liable to prosecution. It is
also important to note that anyone taking a journey in a Private
Hire Vehicle which has been "flagged down" is not insured for the
journey.