The role of a private hire driver
What makes private hire different from taxi work
| PRIVATE HIRE (PHV) | TAXI (BLACK CAB) |
|---|---|
| Must be pre-booked through a licensed operator | May be hailed on the street |
| Cannot ply for hire or use a rank | May use ranks |
| Driver, vehicle, and operator all licensed separately | Driver and vehicle licensed |
Accepting a fare that has not been booked through your operator is a serious licensing breach, regardless of how the passenger asks. This is one of the most consistently tested regulatory points.
The three licences
A lawful private hire journey requires all three: a licensed driver, a licensed vehicle, and a licensed operator who took the booking. If any one is missing, the journey is illegal and insurance may be invalidated.
What passengers are entitled to expect
- A driver who is licensed and identifiable, displaying the required badge and vehicle identifiers
- A vehicle that is roadworthy, clean, and correctly insured
- Safe, lawful driving
- To be treated with respect and without discrimination
- Reasonable adjustments if they are disabled
- Their property and personal information handled properly
Professional conduct
| EXPECTED | NOT ACCEPTABLE |
|---|---|
| Polite, calm communication | Arguing, shouting, or retaliating |
| Assisting with luggage where able | Refusing a passenger because of a protected characteristic |
| Following the agreed route or the passenger’s preference | Taking a longer route to increase the fare |
| Reporting concerns properly | Handling a safeguarding concern informally |
| Keeping the vehicle clean and smoke-free | Smoking or allowing smoking in the vehicle |
You are, for many passengers, a person they are alone with in a confined space, often at night. The regulatory framework exists because of that, and the assessment is testing whether you understand it.