This is taken from the Fastblacks site.
Its sad, but true, nowadays it seems every man for himself is the norm at most ranks, instead of the commradery that used to exist.
If someone swipes me, they find out pretty quickly, in my best Glasgow accent.
Most, if not all, of us, when granted our first taxi driver's licence, were taken line by line through the relevant sections of the conditions book. Unfortunately, nobody deemed it necessary to tell new drivers about the unwritten code of conduct that exists - Taxi Etiquette.
Below is a selection of these common courtesies, which taxi drivers used to accord each other. After some of the recent influxes of new drivers and operators, they are not always adhered to.
A taxi plying for hire does not overtake another taxi plying for hire, unless the front driver indicates it is ok to do so.
In traffic, if a taxi allows you into the traffic flow, either from a side road or another lane, you do not pick up in front of him, but, if flagged, signal for the taxi behind you to take the fare. Ideally, if a safe opportunity arises, allow him in front of you.
Do not execute illegal right turns, you might save the customer a few pence, but you risk a fine and points on your licence. Plus, other drivers who comply with the law are then accused by passengers of taking the long way round.
It is not clever to pick up within 50 metres of an occupied taxi rank. Better to err slightly on the safe side rather than swipe a rank! (that one's in the conditions book!) If you can't judge 50 metres, how did you pass your driving test? Seriously, try pacing it out once to get an idea of how far it is.
If a passenger goes down a rank asking for a quote for an out of town job, it is only courtesy to advise that you will charge at least the same as the front taxi on the rank. Again it is not clever to offer a discount, just to get a job out of turn.
When ranked, if a customer expresses a preference for your taxi when you are not the first taxi on the rank, the onus is on you to advise, at least the first taxi, that it was the customer who specifically wanted your taxi.( as per condition 118)
Unofficial ranks outside nightclubs etc are generally not "swiped," as a matter of courtesy, although discourtesy is not uknown.
If you drop off on a rank, you cannot hold a position on that rank until you are fully disengaged. You should allow any taxi arriving whilst you are disengaging, in front of you.
