Fares, meter use and payment handling
The meter, the table of fares and the receipt
Hackney carriage fares are set by the licensing authority in a published table of fares, which states a maximum for each tariff and the permitted extras. On a hackney journey the meter must be used, switched on at the start, and the fare must never exceed the table. Tariffs commonly vary by time of day and day of week, and extras may be allowed for luggage, soiling or tolls - but only where the table says so, and they should be explained before the journey.
Private hire fares are agreed at the time of booking through the operator. In London a PHV must not be fitted with or use a taximeter.
Practical handling: confirm the basis of the fare before moving off, offer a choice of route on metered journeys, keep the meter seal intact and the calibration certificate current, give a receipt on request, accept card payment where required by the licence, and keep cash secure and out of sight. Tipping is voluntary - never demanded.
Disputes: stay calm, explain the table and the meter reading, and do not become involved in an argument. A passenger who refuses to pay is a matter for the police; a driver must not detain them or their property.
Traps: charging above the table of fares; agreeing a "flat rate" on a hackney journey; using a meter in a London PHV; adding unauthorised extras; forgetting that a meter must be recalibrated when fares change.
Rule of thumb: fare = flag fall + distance charge + waiting time + permitted extras, and the total never exceeds the metered amount or the table of fares, whichever applies.