Taxi licence

Information for our customers:

• a licensed vehicle will display a licence plate at the rear of the vehicle near the number plate and an identity card inside the front windscreen
• licence plates and identity cards show the expiry date of the licence, the registration number, the licence number, make and model of the vehicle and number of passengers allowed
• a private hire vehicle will display the information against a blue background and a hackney carriage against an orange background
• private hire vehicles cannot be flagged down in the street or taken from a rank, they must be booked in advance
• private hire vehicles are at liberty to set their own fares, this is usually negotiated with the customer and the operator and should be agreed before you undertake the journey
  all hackney carriages will have a tested and sealed meter
• the fare is set by us and an approved standard scale of charges should be displayed in the vehicle
• it is an offence for the driver to impose additional charges other than those displayed, regardless of the size of the vehicle used or whether it is a wheelchair-accessible vehicle 
• always check that the meter is activated when you start the journey
• a licensed driver must wear his identity badge clearly visible to his passengers. It will show the driver's picture, licence number and expiry date

Complaints

If you wish to complain about a taxi / private hire operator or driver, please email taxilicensing@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

Fare information

If the distance does not exceed 1,100 yards £4.00
For the whole distance

If the distance exceeds 1,100 yards £4.00
For the first 1,100 yards

For each subsequent 98 yards or uncompleted part thereof: £0.13

Waiting time

For each period of 40 seconds or uncompleted part £0.13

Additional charges

For hirings commencing:

• between 11pm and 6:30am: 50% of the normal rate
• on Bank Holidays: 50% of the normal rate
• on Sundays: 50% of the normal rate
• on Christmas Day and Boxing Day: 100% of the normal rate
• on New Years Day between 12:01am and 6:30am: hours 100% of the normal rate

For each additional adult person in excess of two and up to five £0.22

For all journeys in excess of five or more passengers 50% of the normal rate

For each piece of luggage carried £0.11

For each bicycle or perambulator £0.11

Vehicle Soiling Charge £80

London Congestion Charge 100% of charge, if applicable.

Hackney Carriage (taxi) fares

Taxi fares are set by us and the hackney carriage meter is calibrated accordingly. A hackney carriage tariff sheet should be displayed in each vehicle. The prices below will assist you with calculating the approximate fare:

• 1 mile £4.88
• 2 miles £7.21
• 3 miles £9.54
• 4 miles £11.88
• 5 miles £14.21

Private Hire Vehicle fares

Fares for private hire vehicles are calculated by the private hire operator. Private hire operators are not obliged to use a meter but, if they do, they must display a private hire tariff sheet in the vehicle. Customers should be advised of the approximate cost at the time of booking.