City of Wolverhampton Council is implementing new government guidelines designed to combat fake taxis and improve passenger safety – making it the first licensing authority in the country to take such action.
From today (1 August), the council will implement the government’s best practice guidance, which requires private hire drivers not to display livery signage, such as that of a private hire vehicle operator, on their doors.
This aims to prevent impersonation of private hire vehicles by anyone who prints their own imitation signage and operates as an illegal taxi.
There have been incidents reported nationally of fake signs being used on unlicensed vehicles to impersonate genuine ones. In some serious cases, unlicensed drivers have attacked lone passengers.
The change, which has been approved by the council’s regulatory committee, is designed to ensure that passengers focus on the private hire vehicle licence plate on the rear of the vehicle to verify their booking.
Customers can also check the driver and vehicle that has been sent to collect them by direct contact with the operator via phone, text message or app. The driver will also know their name and destination through the booking details the passenger provided.
The council has undertaken a 3 month consultation with the trade to gauge their views. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with more than 2,250 respondents and 93% in favour of the signage changes.
Those responding felt the changes would make journeys safer for passengers, prevent damage some felt the stickers could cause and reduce the risk of vehicles being targeted by vandals.
Government also believes that high levels of signage can draw attention to private hire vehicles and leads the public to mistake them for taxis. People then approach them for immediate hire, which is unlicensed, uninsured and illegal for the driver.
Private hire vehicles must be pre booked and the council provides a ‘pre booked only’ sign for licensed drivers to attached to each passenger window.
People who need a vehicle immediately, should look for hackney carriages (black cabs) with an illuminated ‘TAXI’ light, which indicates that they are available for hire. They should also then check that there is a valid hackney carriage licence plate on the rear of the vehicle and check that the driver is wearing their driver’s hackney carriage or dual driver licence badge.
Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services, said: “It is important that, following consultation with the trade, City of Wolverhampton Council is implementing this guidance.
“The safety of all passengers is paramount and we are implementing government guidelines to try and prevent unscrupulous drivers creating fake signage and taking passengers under false pretences.
“This has led to instances of revoked drivers illegally plying for hire, as well as unlicensed drivers impersonating taxis. We want to work alongside the legitimate trade drivers to stop this type of fraudulent and frightening behaviour.
“I would encourage all passengers to look for the private hire vehicle licence plate on the rear of the vehicle and the badge worn by the driver. They can also contact the operator to double check details.
“People wanting to hail a cab in the street should only approach vehicles with an illuminated taxi sign, then check it has a valid hackney carriage licence plate. They should then verify the licence badge the hackney carriage driver is wearing.”