Nottinghamshire Police

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Taxis and private hire vehicles

• Always try to use a reputable taxi company that either you or someone you know and trust has used before
• Don’t get into a private hire vehicle unless you’ve booked the car in advance. Only hackney carriages are allowed to carry passengers who have hailed them on the street or at a rank
• When booking a taxi ask for the driver’s name, and the make and colour of the car
• When the car arrives ask for the driver’s name and company and the name of the passenger they have come to collect. Don’t volunteer the information first
• Make a note of the company you are using, and its telephone number, and if possible leave it with a friend
• Ensure that the hackney carriage or private hire vehicle is licensed by checking the licence plate (this is different to the registration plate) on the rear of the vehicle. Also check the driver’s badge
• If you are travelling alone, sit in the back seat behind the driver
• If you feel uneasy at any point, ask to be let out in a well-lit area where there are a lot of people
• If you have any doubts about using a particular taxi, make an excuse and do not get into the vehicle