Cardiff Council is responsible for licensing Hackney carriages (taxis), private hire vehicles, and their drivers.
All of our drivers undertake criminal and medical checks to ensure that they are fit to be licensed drivers.
All licensed vehicles are regularly tested to ensure that they are safe.
To get home safely you should always ensure that you are using a licensed vehicle with a licensed driver.
Licensed drivers are issued with an ID badge showing their photograph and licence details. The driver should be wearing one badge with another displayed on the passenger side on the windscreen.
To get to your destination safely you should:
- Ensure you are paying the correct fare if you are in a taxi
- Pre-book a private hire vehicle through a private hire operator
- Ask if the venue you are in can book a taxi/private hire vehicle and let you wait inside until it arrives
Differences between Hackney Carriages and Private Hire vehicles
| Hackney Carriages | Private Hire vehicles | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of car | Black and white or London taxi style cab | A variety of makes and models |
| Roof sign | Displays a Taxi roof sign | Does not display a roof sign |
| Licence plate | White plate attached to rear of vehicle | Yellow play attached to rear of vehicle |
| How to book | Can be hailed from roadside | Pre-booking necessary |
Taxi Ranks
Use the taxi ranks on:
- Mill Lane
- St Mary Street (Marshalled on Friday and Saturday nights)
- Greyfriars Road (Marshalled on Friday and Saturday nights)
- Park Place
- Churchill Way
- Tredegar Street
- Mermaid Quay
- Albert Street
- Cardiff Central Station
Making a complaint
If a Hackney Carriage driver has refused to take you because your fare is too short, or if the driver or vehicle (hackney carriage or private hire) does not meet your expectations, you can report this to us.
