Taxi Driver Online

A Hackney carriage driver in our borough has been talking to me about a job he has coming up. He has been asked to attend a wedding and provide a taxi for the guests to get home. The bride and groom will be paying for this. However the wedding is in our borough and he has agreed a "retainer" to sit and wait in between journeys. I don't know how much the retainer is but with this being a hackney carriage vehicle and driver, is this legal of should he be using the meter for the waiting time and each individual journey?

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Grandad,

Seems legal as it's a private hire.

he does not have a private hire operators license or a private hire vehicle. he is Hackney only and working within the borough.

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Grandad,

What does the tariff say?

Ours includes "Hirings may take place without the use of a meter where there is a prior contract with a Public Authority or for a period in excess of one hour.".

This allows School Contracts and the like to be covered and also the public or businesses to get flexible deals.

So here he would be OK if the period exceeds an hour, and that looks likely in the scenario you outline.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

Ours state that the meter must be used for all hirings within the borough. Waiting time is £15.00 per hour, which is also on the meter.

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Grandad,

He could put the meter on for fares and waiting times, and not request payment of the total, if the customer pays more thats upto them, of course if the driver gives a price verbally (an estimate, not a quote) and the customer never sees or asks what the meter says no-one will be any the wiser

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most

If it's out of the borough he can do what he wants, and charge what he wants.

He just mustn't ply for hire in between.

That said if he puts his meter on in the morning, and turns it off when he finishes, then the fare on the meter will be higher than the fare he charges.

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IDFIMH

our fare chart states that the vehicle may be hired for special occasions and a price agreed beforehand, but this booking must be made at least 48hrs before commencement of the job.

As stated, it is all in the borough.

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Grandad,

Then get the punters to book him from 7 o'clock, and he puts on his meter and just keeps it running all day.

He then discounts what ever is on the meter to the agreed price.

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IDFIMH

This is sort of what I suggested he does. I also suggested, many times, that he stops putting everything he is doing on facebook and twitter for everyone to read.

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Grandad,