Taxi Regulations, Licensing and Legal Obligations
Who may drive a taxi
The vehicle must be licensed and examined as a taxi, insured for third-party risks, and fitted with a sealed, calibrated taximeter. The driver must be at least 21, must have held a full private car driving licence for the required period (three years), must have passed the taxi written and driving tests, and must display the taxi driver identity card or plate where passengers can see it, together with the fare table and meter calibration certificate. Tampering with or resealing the meter outside an authorised workshop is an offence.
Obligations while plying for hire
A taxi available for hire must carry any passenger who hails it where stopping is lawful. Refusing a hire without reasonable excuse is an offence, and "the journey is too short", "I am finishing my shift" or "I do not want to cross the harbour" are never acceptable excuses in an exam answer. Overcharging, demanding more than the metered fare, touting for passengers, and using the vehicle for unauthorised hire are offences that can cost the driver the licence. Obey police and traffic officer directions, keep insurance in force, present the vehicle for examination and produce documents when required.
Traps
Questions blur three things: the vehicle licence, the driving licence and the driver's identity card. Another favourite is the passenger with a guide dog or wheelchair – refusing on that ground is unlawful discrimination, not a reasonable excuse. Watch the words "may" and "must".
Rule of thumb
Ask whether a reasonable passenger, a transport officer and a court would all agree the conduct was lawful. If any one of them would say no, the option is wrong.