General information
In order to ensure that vehicles are safe and suitable for the purpose, the Council has set down minimum standards for vehicle specifications and regular mechanical inspections are carried out.
Where a taximeter is fitted to the vehicle, this is also tested for accuracy. Checks are made to ensure that the appropriate insurance is in place and that vehicles have an MoT Test Certificate, where required.
The drivers of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles are also licensed by the Council. They are subject to a check with the Disclosure & Barring Service and Brentwood Borough Council requires them to undergo the same type of medical examination as HGV and bus drivers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a taxi and a private hire vehicle?
Taxis, more properly called 'hackney carriages', can be hailed in the street or from a taxi rank. They have a 'taxi' roof sign, door signs and a black and white licence plate on the rear of the vehicle.
Private hire vehicles, sometimes known as minicabs, must be pre-booked - either by phone, post or in person at the operator's office. They have a circular licence plate (sky blue with white lettering) on the rear of the vehicle. These vehicles do not have a roof sign but they sometimes have door signs showing the company's phone number.
Where can I find a taxi?
Details of the taxi ranks provided by the Council are provided in this section.
I need a wheelchair accessible taxi - who can I contact?
Details of wheelchair accessible taxis are provided in this section.
How are taxi and private hire fares calculated?
All hackney carriages (taxis) are fitted with taxi meters. These calculate the fare based on the distance travelled and any 'waiting time' which includes time when the taxi is stopped in traffic. Different fare tariffs apply at different times of the day and Sundays and Bank Holidays.
The Council sets a maximum tariff but taxi drivers can charge less and may offer special promotional discounts. They also offer fixed fares for journeys to airports.
Private hire fares are not subject to Council regulation and you should agree a fare (or rate per mile) with the operator when booking the journey.
How is the taxi fare tariff set?
When a proposal for a change in the Hackney Carriage Table of Fares is received from the taxi trade, a consultation is carried out to assess the level of support for the proposal. The matter is normally discussed at the Taxi Trade Consultative Group prior to consideration by the Licensing/Appeals Committee.
If the Committee agrees to proceed with the proposal, it is advertised in a local newspaper. Any one who objects to the change can make written representation to the Council. These comments will then be considered by the Committee before a final decision is reached.
If no objections to the proposal are received, the new Table of Fares automatically comes into force on the date stated.
What do taxis charge?
Details of hackney carriage fares are provided in this section.
What should I do if I think I've been overcharged?
Remember that the fare charged will vary depending on the time of day and the day of the week. The same journey will cost more in the evening or on a Sunday than during a weekday. The fare will also be higher if you are held up in a traffic jam or stop at traffic lights.
If the taxi takes a different route to avoid a known hold-up this can make the journey longer but it may still work out cheaper than if you had sat in traffic, clocking up 'waiting time'.
Having taken these things into consideration, if you think that you have been overcharged and are unable to resolve the issue with the driver/company, please call 01277 312500. You will need to provide the following details:
- Date and time of the journey
- Pick up point and drop off point
- Route taken
- Fare charged
- Number of passengers
- Details of the vehicle, including Hackney Carriage Licence Number
- Driver's Licence Number or name (if known)
- Your name, address and contact phone number
How does the Council make sure that taxi meters are accurate?
All taxi meters are tested by the Council's Licensing Team on a special measured route to check that they are calibrated correctly and have the right fare tariff programmed. The meters are sealed by the Council to show that they have been tested and to prevent tampering.
What does the Council do to ensure that taxi and private hire drivers are suitable?
All drivers must make an application, undergo an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check, provide a satisfactory medical report and pass the Council's knowledge test. The Council has also set Pre-Licensing Conditions and any application which does not meet these standards is referred to the Licensing/Appeals Committee for consideration.
The Council also sets standards of behaviour through the Hackney Carriage Byelaws and the Driver Licence Conditions.
How do I make a complaint about the behaviour of my driver?
If you were the hirer or passenger in a taxi or private hire vehicle and have a complaint about the conduct of the driver and are unable to resolve the issue with the driver/company, please call 01277 312500. You will need to provide the following details:
- Date and time of the journey
- Pick up point and drop off point
- Details of the vehicle, including Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle Licence Number
- Driver's licence number or name (if known)
- Nature of the complaint
- Details of any witnesses
- Your name, address and contact phone number
Taxi fares
In accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, Brentwood Council hereby give notice of variation of the maximum fares and charges in respect of Hackney Carriages, effective from 15 August 2022.
Fares are calculated on a combination of distance or time or parts thereof.
TARIFF 1
- Monday to Friday between the hours 6am and 8pm.
- Saturday between the hours of 6am and 6pm.
- For the first 1338 yards (1223.5m) or 273 seconds £4.80.
- For each subsequent 211 yards (192.9m) or 43 seconds 30p.
TARIFF 2
- Monday to Friday between the hours 8pm and 11pm.
- Saturday between the hours of 6pm and 11pm.
- Sundays between 6am to 6pm.
- For first 1272 yards (1163.1m) or 257 seconds £5.30.
- For each subsequent 188 yards (171.9m) or 38 seconds 30p.
TARIFF 3
- Monday to Saturday between the hours of 11pm and 6am and at anytime on Public holidays, (except Christmas and New Year hiring’s under Tariff 4).
- Sundays between 6pm and 6am.
- For first 1224 yards (1119.2m) or 246 seconds £5.80.
- For each subsequent 169 yards (154.5m) or 34 seconds 30p.
TARIFF 4
- Between 6pm on 24 December and 6am on 27 December.
- Between 6pm on 31 December and 6am on 2 January.
- For first 1338 yards (1223.5m) or 280 seconds £9.60.
- For each subsequent 105 yards (96m) or 22 seconds 30p.
Extra charges
- For each person in excess of one – additional 40p
- All journeys with five or more passengers - additional 50% of proper fare
- London Congestion Charge and Dartford Crossing - as applied
- Cab Soiling - Inside £50 – Outside £20
- Booking fee up to a maximum of £20 may be added to the proper fare where a Hackney Carriage vehicle used for private hire is used within the district.
For more information, email licensing@brentwood.gov.uk or call 01277 312500.
Taxi ranks
Brentwood
Brentwood Borough Council provides stands for hackney carriages at the following locations:
- St Thomas Road
- New Road
- The Parade, Brentwood Station
There are part-time evening stands in Brentwood High Street:
- lay-by opposite Sugar Hut Village
and a part-time evening stand in William Hunter Way:
- bus stop outside Sainsbury's
Only taxis licensed by Brentwood Borough Council are authorised to ply for hire from these stands.
The hackney carriage stands are there to provide local transportation and it is important that they are kept clear for taxis to use.
It is an offence for other vehicles to park or wait on a designated hackney carriage stand. The Council's enforcement officers monitor the use of the stands and can take action, including prosecution, in appropriate cases. The maximum fine is £1,000.
Shenfield Station
The hackney carriage stand at Shenfield Station is provided by the rail operator and is not administered by Brentwood Borough Council.
A feeder rank for the station is available on Hutton Road adjacent to the station entrance, which is administered by Brentwood Borough Council.
Wheelchair accessible vehicles
All licensed taxis in Brentwood must be able to carry a wheelchair folded and stored in the boot.
Some of these are also able to carry an occupied wheelchair within the vehicle.
The list of designated vehicles below are all capable of carrying some, but not necessarily all, types of occupied wheelchairs.
Hackney carriage HCV059 Ford Tourneo
848 Cars - 01277 848848
Hackney carriage HCV191 Peugeot Eurobus
848 Cars – 01277 848848
Hackney carriage HCV083 Mercedes Vito
Mr Buckley – 07588 872288
Hackney carriage HCV226 Ford Transit
Mr Earl – 01708 229073
Hackney carriage HCV243 Renault Trafic
Mr Hodgson – 07850 842 488
Hackney Carriage HCV197 VW Caddy
Mr Yorke – 07941 673 708
This list has been designated for the purpose of section 165 of the Equalities Act 2010.
All our licensed vehicles can be checked using our Licensing Public Access system.
Any complaints of refusal to carry a wheelchair chair should be emailed to licensing@brentwood.gov.uk