Safe use of hackney carriages (taxis) and private hire vehicles
To stay safe whilst using licensed taxis and private hire vehicles, make sure you:
- never get into a private hire vehicle if you have not booked it through an operator
- book private hire vehicles in advance - the driver will not be insured to carry you if you don’t
- check that the vehicle you’re getting into is the vehicle you booked
- do not tell the driver your name; ask what name is on the booking
- find out where the nearest rank is in relation to where you’re going so that you can get straight into a vehicle when you’re ready to go home
- use the marshalled taxi ranks at weekends on Broad Street and Arcadian Centre wherever possible as they’re in busy well lit areas
- avoid leaving the busy areas and heading down the back streets which attract uninsured and unlicensed vehicles
- look out for the required signage on the vehicle
- always try and take down the vehicle's plate number or registration number.
- after nights out try and travel with friends and check that the last person dropped off made it home safely
