Stay safe and smart with your taxi this Christmas

As we head into the festive season, licensing officers at North East Lincolnshire Council are advising people to be careful when heading out.

Many people are preparing to enjoy a tipple or two through December and the New Year and may find themselves needing a taxi.

Advice has been issued for using taxis and private hire vehicles ahead of the busy season.

• Always use a licensed vehicle.
• Hackney Carriage Vehicles can pick up unarranged fares from the street.  They have a taxi roof sign and a white license plate on the rear bumper. 
• Private hire vehicles are not permitted to pick up from the street without being pre-booked.  They have a half moon door sign on the front two doors which says ‘advanced bookings only’, and a yellow license plate on the rear bumper. Book by phone, email or in a private hire office.  Never approach or accept a journey from a private hire driver which isn’t pre-booked.
• When your booked vehicle arrives, make sure the driver can confirm your name and destination – check this before you get into the vehicle.
• Always check the driver’s photo ID badge.
• Never risk getting into a private hire vehicle which is not pre-booked.
• Be aware of unlicensed drivers offering lifts through Facebook. Vehicles and drivers go through thorough checks to make sure that they are safe and roadworthy. There are significant public safety concerns around using unlicensed taxis.

Councillor Ron Shepherd, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, said: “If you’re heading out this Christmas or New Year, remember to keep yourself safe and always make sure you are getting in a licensed taxi. The public’s safety is always our number one priority, and we want to reiterate how dangerous getting into an unlicensed taxi can be.”