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02 September 2010
For more information
Licensing
Tel: 01276 707322 / 626
Fax: 01276 707446
licencing@surreyheath.gov.uk
Surrey Heath House
Knoll Road
Camberley
Surrey GU15 3HD
Please note: If you need to see a member of the Licensing section, they will only be available between the hours of 10.00am and 12.00 noon and 2.00pm and 4.00pm.
Surrey Heath Borough Council licenses Hackney Carriages (Taxis) and Private Hire vehicles (Mini-cabs, executive and chauffeur driven) based in the borough.
Although the public can use both vehicles, there are differences in the way that they are operated and licensed.
With people enjoying social events as the holiday season gets underway, the council's licensing team is urging residents to make sure that any taxi they get into is genuine.
There are four easy ways to check you are getting into a licensed taxi:
For further details of these differences and details of licences that have to be obtained to undertake hackney carriage or private hire work, please use the link below.
Hackney Carriage Licensing
Hackney Carriages mainly work from public ranks, the public can flag them down on the street when the driver is applying for hire, and they can also be pre-booked.
Private Hire Licensing
Private Hire vehicles are only available by prior booking and through a private hire operator's office. They are not allowed on 'taxi' ranks and cannot be used to ply for hire. Members of the public cannot flag them down.
Private Hire Operators
Any person making Private Hire Vehicles available for hire requires a Private Hire Operators licence. This includes advertising private hire services and handing out business cards.
Guidelines
Further Information