Oliver Bennett
Start with the Licence — It Is the Foundation of Everything
In the UK, every taxi and private hire vehicle must be licensed by a local authority. That licensing regime is not a formality; it is the single most useful safety signal you have. A hackney carriage is licensed by the council that granted its plate, while a private hire vehicle is licensed by the council where it is booked through. When you call a firm, ask a simple question: which council licenses you, and what is your licence number?
A reputable operator will answer without hesitation and will often point you to the plate or door sign displaying the licence details. Private hire vehicles must show a vehicle licence plate and a driver's badge, usually with a photograph. If the driver cannot produce a badge, or the plate on the car does not match the firm you booked, treat that as a serious concern. You can also verify a licence directly with the issuing council, which keeps a public register of licensed operators, vehicles and drivers.
Insurance: Ask About the Cover, Not Just the Certificate
Insurance is where corners get cut quietly. Standard private car insurance almost never covers hire and reward work, which means a vehicle without proper private hire insurance may leave you unprotected in a collision. When you ring a firm, ask specifically whether they hold hire and reward insurance, and whether it covers every vehicle and every driver on the booking.
For van and man-and-van services, the questions change slightly. You want to know about goods in transit cover if your belongings are being carried, plus public liability cover in case something is damaged at your property. Fleet cover should name the vehicles, not just the company. If a firm is vague, evasive or says the driver sorts out their own insurance, that is a warning sign rather than a minor admin detail.
- Hire and reward insurance — the correct cover for any paid passenger journey.
- Goods in transit cover — relevant for removals, deliveries and van hire with a driver.
- Public liability cover — protects you if property is damaged during loading or unloading.
- Named vehicles — the policy should list the actual vehicles in use, not a generic description.
Driver Background Checks and Training
Every licensed driver in the UK must pass an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and in most areas they must also pass a medical and a local knowledge or safeguarding assessment. These checks are renewed at intervals set by the licensing authority, usually every three years. Ask whether the firm employs its drivers or uses self-employed subcontractors, and how it verifies that each driver's DBS check and badge are current.
A well-run company keeps a simple file for each driver: licence, badge, DBS certificate, medical, right to work documentation and driving licence checks. They will not mind telling you this. Larger operators often go further, requiring drivers to complete safeguarding awareness or disability awareness training, which matters if you are booking for a child, an older relative or someone with mobility needs.
Vehicle Maintenance and Age
Licensed vehicles face more frequent testing than private cars — often two inspections a year in addition to the annual MOT. Ask when the vehicle last had its council inspection and whether the firm keeps its own maintenance schedule. A company that services vehicles on a fixed mileage or time interval, rather than waiting for something to break, tends to have cleaner, safer cars.
When the vehicle arrives, look around. Tyres should have visible tread, seat belts should work on every seat, and there should be no warning lights on the dashboard. Child seats, where offered, should be correctly fitted and appropriate to the child's age and weight. In vans, check that the load area is secure, that there are proper tie-down points and that the driver uses them rather than relying on hope and gravity.
Practical Questions to Ask Before You Book
A short, direct phone call tells you a lot. Try these, and listen as much as you read the answers.
- Which council licenses your vehicles, and can you give me the licence number?
- Will the driver who arrives have a photo badge, and does the plate match my booking confirmation?
- Do you hold hire and reward insurance for every vehicle in your fleet?
- Are your drivers DBS checked, and how often are those checks renewed?
- How do you track my booking, and will I get the driver's name and vehicle details in advance?
- What is your complaints process, and who is the licensing authority I can contact if something goes wrong?
Red Flags Worth Walking Away From
Some signs are worth taking seriously. Be wary of a firm that will not give a licence number, that quotes a price far below the local norm, or that turns up in an unmarked car with no plate and no badge. Cash-only demands with no receipt, drivers who refuse to give their name, and companies that dodge questions about insurance all point to the same thing: an operation that has not done the work.
Booking through a licensed operator, confirming the vehicle matches what you ordered, and checking that credentials are in order takes perhaps five extra minutes. It is a small habit that protects your belongings, your journey and, most importantly, you. In a market this varied, a little healthy scepticism is not rudeness — it is good practice.
