jonsnow wrote:
A: minicab is parked on the street. 2 people walk over and says "take me to ABC", you let them in. you put the meter on (or not) and drive away. ---> that's definitely plying for hire
Or unlicensed hiring.
jonsnow wrote:
B:minicab is parked on the street. 2 people walk over and says "take me to ABC", you say that "you're not a hackney carriage and you can only accept jobs with prior booking from dispatch". They see the number on your car door, ring it (either prompted by you, or of their own free will) and ask for a taxi. You are the nearest free car, and would get the job ----> is that plying for hire?
I think it's what drew them to you in the first place. But I think a council would struggle to get a conviction in the above scenario.
jonsnow wrote:
IF B: such that if there were 2 minicabs parked side by side, after they ask you , then they ring for taxi (as legally they're allowed to ring anyone at any time), is it only "plying for hire" if you take the job, but not the car after you?
I think both would be ok.
jonsnow wrote:
C: there is an uber car parked on the street. people who know how uber works know there is no dispatch. Uber app shows all available cars. They book, as they're right next to your car. -----> would that only be plying for hire if any words were exchanged or would it not be if no words were exchanged?
(actually, I think other minicab companies can also book by app now, but wouldn't be as widely know as Uber for that)
No. What drew the punters to the car was the app, not the car.