Can taxi drivers work outside their licensed area?
No, taxi drivers – or public hire operators – cannot ply for hire outside their licensed area, but some can accept pre-booked journeys outside their usual operating zone.
Licensed taxis in England and Wales are allowed to accept a pre-booked trip that begins or ends beyond their licensed area, provided one part of the journey is within their registered zone.
However, Uber drivers can only accept ride requests through the app where their licensing authority is located, and taxi drivers in Northern Ireland must follow specific regulations based on their taxi class.
We understand this seems confusing, so let’s explore the details in SimplyQuote’s latest guide.
Understanding The Rules: hackney carriage taxi drivers in England and Wales
When it comes to hackney carriage drivers, there are specific regulations governing where you can operate.
You must work within your licensed area, which means you can only collect passengers from taxi ranks or the streets within your specific zone – the area where you obtained your PCO licence. This ensures drivers know the region they work in and follow its relevant regulations.
All taxi and private hire drivers in England and Wales – except those operating in London – are licensed by individual local councils, issued under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847. In London, Transport for London (TfL) regulates and licenses taxi drivers.
There are a few exceptions to the rule when it comes to pre-booked work.
London taxi drivers
London black cabs are regulated by TfL and are permitted to operate within the Greater London area. Black cabbies are legally obligated to accept any passenger for:
- A journey of up to 12 miles (or 20 miles from Heathrow Airport taxi ranks)
- A trip that takes no longer than one hour
However, nothing stops you from using your hackney carriage for pre-booked jobs outside these borders, as long as one part of the trip is within your licensed jurisdiction – more on this further down.
Looking for cheap taxi insurance? Get your quote today!
Get QuotesExceptions to the rule
The government has permitted cross-border hiring for taxi drivers, but many local drivers found this unfair as “out-of-towners” were taking their business.
In 2017, a petition was launched to close this loophole, but it only received 11,795 signatures out of the 100,000 needed. As a result, nothing stops hackney carriage drivers from operating outside their licensed area, but only for pre-booked jobs.
For instance, a London cabbie (or any hackney carriage driver) can accept the following pre-booked journeys, as one of the locations falls within the Greater London perimeters:
- Tunbridge Wells to Orpington
- Lewes to Croydon
- Guildford to Sutton
- Reading to Heathrow
However, a trip from Tunbridge Wells to Tonbridge or Guildford to Dorking, for example, would not be allowed as neither of the locations is within their licensed zone.
Note: Hackney carriages cannot ply for hire outside their licensed area.
Understanding The Rules: Uber drivers
Uber drivers use private hire vehicles (PHVs) to pick up and drop off passengers who have booked their rides in advance through the app. In the past, Uber drivers could accept bookings and transport passengers anywhere in the UK.
But this changed in March 2018 when Uber announced that drivers in England and Wales could only pick up passengers in the region where their driver’s licence was issued. This was to give local authorities a birds-eye view of which private hire vehicles were operating in their jurisdiction.
This means Uber drivers must operate within one of these nine designated licensing areas in England and Wales to comply with their licensing authority:
- North East
- North West
- Yorkshire
- Midlands
- East of England
- South East
- South West
- Greater London
- Wales
Understanding The Rules: Northern Ireland
Taxi drivers in Northern Ireland (NI) cannot work outside their licensed area and must adhere to the specific regulations per each taxi class:
| Class | Description | Operating Restrictions | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A | Can be hailed on the street at any time outside the Belfast Zone. | Passengers can hail or pre-book journeys between 00:00 and 06:00 every Friday and Saturday night and on public holidays within the Belfast Zone. | N/A |
| Class B | Must be wheelchair-accessible. | Can be hailed or pre-booked anywhere in NI. | N/A |
| Class C | Only operate on a pre-booked basis. | Can be used anywhere in NI. | Chauffeur services, courtesy transport |
| Class D | Only operate on a pre-booked basis. | Must have a Department for Infrastructure permit. Can be used anywhere in NI. | Tour guides, school or healthcare transport |
Final thoughts
Taxi drivers face different rules based on where they can work. Hackney carriage drivers must stick to their licensed areas when plying for hire, but can take pre-booked jobs beyond their designated zones.
Meanwhile, a private hire vehicle driver can operate anywhere across England and Wales with prior bookings, except for Uber drivers, who are restricted to where their licence was issued. Drivers in Northern Ireland must adhere to strict rules pertaining to their taxi class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hackney carriage drivers must stay within their licensed area to ensure passenger safety, maintain local regulatory compliance, and support fair competition within the local taxi markets.
Yes, minicabs (excluding Uber) can work outside their usual operating zone when:
- It is a pre-booked fare.
- The driver, vehicle, and private hire operator are all licensed within the same borough.
Yes, under current legislation, a Mancunian public hire taxi driver can accept a pre-booked job outside their licensed area, but cannot ply for hire or “tout” outside their jurisdiction.
The short answer is: It depends.
Drivers of hackney carriages can be hailed on the street, picked up at taxi ranks, or booked in advance. Their public hire or black cab insurance covers them regardless of where they drive.
However, a private hire driver risks invalidating their minicab insurance policy should they collect passengers without a prior booking.
It’s best to inform your insurance provider about your taxi service’s whereabouts to avoid any discrepancies or legal disputes further down the line.