Taxi Ranks

Not All Taxis Are the Same: What You Need to Know

It’s a common misconception that all licensed vehicles for hire are the same – most people simply call them “taxis.” However, there are two distinct types of licensed vehicles that have different purposes: taxis (hackney carriages) and private hire vehicles.

You can hire a taxi (hackney carriage) from a designated taxi rank or by hailing one on the street. Some can also be booked in advance.

Private hire vehicles must be booked in advance through a licensed operator – they cannot be hailed on the street.

Hackney Carriages (Taxis)

Can be hailed in the street or hired directly from a taxi rank.
In Cardiff they are generally black with a white bonnet

They have a roof light
They have a white licence plate on the rear of the vehicle.
A white ID card in the front windscreen showing the licence number
Licensed to pick up passengers without a booking.

Can also be booked in advance through a taxi operator

It is an offence for a taxi driver to refuse a fare that starts and ends in Cardiff without a reasonable excuse. For example, a driver cannot refuse a fare simply because the journey is too short.

When approaching a taxi, it’s recommended to start by asking the driver, “Are you free?” or “Are you available?” before saying your destination. This helps reduce the chance of the driver claiming they are already booked.

For journeys that start and end within Cardiff, the driver must use the taximeter and cannot charge more than the metered fare.

For journeys that start or end outside Cardiff, the driver does not have to accept the fare or use the meter. They may charge more than the metered fare, but only if the fare is agreed at the start of the journey. If no fare is agreed in advance, the driver must use the meter and charge the metered fare.

All Cardiff taxis are required to accept card or contactless payment.

Private Hire Vehicles

Must be pre-booked through a licensed operator – the journeys cannot be booked directly with the driver and they are not allowed to use taxi ranks.
In Cardiff they can be any colour except black with a white bonnet (or cannot otherwise be confused with a hackney carriage).
Display a yellow licence plate on the rear
A yellow ID card in the front windscreen showing the licence number
No roof light

If a private hire vehicle picks you up without a booking, the journey will not be insured and the driver will be breaking the law.

Hackney Carriage

Example of a taxi (hackney carriage) licence plate (displayed on the rear of the vehicle)

Private Hire Vehicle

Example of a private hire vehicle licence plate (displayed on the rear of the vehicle)

A list of taxi ranks in Cardiff is available here.

Passenger Safety

If you feel unsafe during your journey, you should:

share your location (for example using WhatsApp or Google Maps)
have an open line with a friend or relative until the end of the journey
make sure that the meter is operating (for taxis)
make sure you have the correct means of payment before starting the journey
not risk walking home alone (instead, find another taxi)
make sure that the taxi driver takes the shortest journey
make sure that the taxi does not stop (unless its an emergency)
sit in the back, behind the front passenger seat
not engage conversation unless relevant
not share personal details (except when making a booking)

Taxis are not allowed to refuse a fare without a reasonable excuse. Neither should they keep you locked in the vehicle against your will or take you to an ATM and charge for the additional journey.

You can report and issue or make a complaint about a taxi driver by emailing licensing@cardiff.gov.uk

When reporting incidents to us, where possible, please take a note/photo:

of the driver number,
the vehicle registration number,
the licence plate number, and
the date, time and where the incident happened.

We will seek to verify evidence through CCTV, journey tracking software, dashcams and other passengers where available. In serious cases, we will revoke a licence. Therefore, we have to investigate openly and demonstrate fairness.

Using a Taxi

When using a taxi, you should:

use a taxi rank (try to choose one staffed by taxi marshals if possible)
arrange for the taxi driver to collect you from a safe meeting point
ask what the fare is likely to be at the time of booking and check you have the money to cover it
expect the driver to be polite and courteous
only pay in line with charges shown on the tariff, unless otherwise agreed

Using a Private Hire Vehicle

You should not contact a private hire vehicle driver directly by phone, social media app or at the roadside. You must always book through an operator.

When using a private hire vehicle, you should:

book with a licensed operator (we do not assess or enforce those licensed by another authority)
confirm the booking with the driver when they arrive and that it matches any other details
make a note of the licence number
sit in the back, behind the front passenger seat
let a third party know details of your journey

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs)

Hackney carriage vehicles with licence numbers 401 – 957 are wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs).

WAV drivers have a responsibility to assist passengers and assistance dogs, unless they are exempt.

WAV drivers are not able to charge passengers any additional cost for assisting wheelchair users or assistance dogs.

Exemption Certificates

Drivers with a valid medical exemption from carrying assistance dogs must:

Display their exemption certificate prominently on the windscreen
The certificate will be clearly marked and issued by Cardiff Council
Show the exemption notice to passengers if requested

Drivers cannot charge passengers any additional cost for:

Assisting wheelchair users (WAV vehicles)
Carrying assistance dogs (all vehicles)
Providing reasonable assistance to disabled passengers

Report unlicensed taxis and drivers

All taxis and taxi drivers must be licensed to operate within Cardiff.

Operating without a licence is illegal.

Drivers without a licence don’t have:

the appropriate training
background checks
vehicle inspections
correct insurance coverage

Additionally, as we can’t regulate unlicensed drivers, passengers may experience:

fraud
overcharging
other criminal activities

If you suspect a taxi or driver is operating without a licence, you can report it via the Cardiff Council website or by emailing licensing@cardiff.gov.uk

Poor Driving and Driving Offences

The council’s role is to ensure that taxi and private hire drivers are fit and proper to hold a licence. However, we are not responsible for enforcing general road traffic laws such as speeding, careless driving, using a mobile phone at the wheel, or failing to comply with traffic signals. These matters are regulated by the Police.

If you witness poor or dangerous driving by a licensed taxi or private hire driver, you should report the matter directly to South Wales Police. The Council cannot issue penalties or take enforcement action for driving offences unless the Police have first investigated and confirmed the offence.

How to Report Driving Offences

South Wales Police provide several ways to report unsafe or illegal driving:

Operation Snap – an online portal where you can submit dashcam, helmet-cam or mobile phone footage of dangerous driving. This includes incidents such as running red lights, overtaking dangerously, or driving without due care.
Access Operation Snap here: South Wales Police Operation Snap
Call 101 – for non-emergency police matters.
Call 999 – in an emergency where there is immediate danger to life or risk of serious injury.

If the Police take enforcement action against a licensed driver for motoring offences, the Council will be notified and may then consider whether the driver remains fit and proper to hold a licence.