What's the difference between a taxi, hackney and limousine?
There are significant differences between the three different small public service vehicle categories:
Taxi | A public hire small public service vehicle (SPSV), for which a taxi licence has been granted. Taxis may stand for hire at a taxi rank and ply for hire on the street. They are also currently permitted to use with-flow bus lanes and Quality Bus Corridors. Maximum fare control is applied to taxis as they are allowed to ply for hire and stand at ranks. They are required to use a taximeter, which displays the maximum fare and a printer that automatically prints a fare receipt. They are also required to carry a regulation roof sign consisting of a unique five-digit number. Other distinguishing features include tamper proof licence discs, in-vehicle passenger information cards and fare information sticker on sun visor on front passenger seat. The licence category of wheelchair accessible taxi was introduced in 1982. This category of vehicle is required to have specialist equipment including ramps, wheelchair anchorages and belts suitable for accommodating a person seated in a wheelchair. If you require a wheelchair accessible vehicle, we recommend that you make an advance booking from a dispatch operator. Wheelchair accessible taxis can ply and stand for hire and use bus lanes in the same way as standard taxis. Passengers should note that in the case of all taxis, the National Maximum Taxi Fare is required by law to be displayed in a taxi and the customer is entitled to a printed receipt when the fare is paid. |
Hackney | A private hire small public service vehicle (SPSV). Hackneys should be pre-booked on a private hire basis and cannot be hailed down in a public place. They are not currently allowed in bus lanes or to ply for hire in the street. A fare should be agreed in advance with a hackney operator and is not calculated on a meter. It is a requirement that all hackney operators/drivers provide a written receipt to all customers on payment of the fare. |
Limousine | In 2000 a new category of limousine licence was introduced. Limousines were previously included within the hackney category. A limousine must have an engine capacity of at least 1900 cubic centimetres and be 'suited by reason of its style and condition for the provision of hire services for ceremonial occasions, or for corporate or other prestige purposes'. A limousine should be pre-booked on a private hire basis and cannot be hailed down in a public place. They are not currently allowed in bus lanes. A fare should be agreed in advance with a limousine operator and is not calculated on a meter. It is a requirement that all limousine operators/drivers provide a written receipt to all customers on payment of the fare. |