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What is Private Hire Insurance?

on January 2nd, 2012


Private hire vehicles are vehicles that differ from licensed taxis and buses/coaches, but rather are hired for carrying less than nine passengers at a time. Private hire insurance is designed for vehicles used to be privately hired for payment, differing from public hire insurance which is used to insure public hire taxis.

The main way that private hire vehicles are different to public hire vehicles is the fact that you must pre-book a private hire vehicle for the journey; you cannot simply hail the vehicle from the street, which you may do with a public hire vehicle. It is against the law for private hire taxis to ply for business in this way, as well as advertising or in any way implying that the vehicle is for hire. In London, for example, only the iconic Hackney Carriages (Black cabs) can display that they are for hire on the street.

private hire insurance is subject to the operator of the driving company having an operator’s license, which they display in their workplace for customers to see. All companies that offer insurance to such businesses will require the license to be shown before validating the insurance. In addition, all vehicles that are deployed by the company must make their vehicle license visible to customers.

All drivers of private hire vehicles must wear a driver’s license when in the car, which indicates to passengers that safeguards have been made to ensure the driver is fit for purpose. Checks include an extensive CRB and medical check for drivers. Similar to the operator’s license, if a driver does not display their driver’s license they are in breach of the law and can be prosecuted.

Vehicles used as transport for events such as weddings and funerals do not have to adhere to the regulations for private hire vehicles, but do require their own insurance.

Any private hire vehicle that does not have suitable insurance can be prosecuted under the Road Traffic Act of 1988. Possible penalties can include points on a driver’s licence, fines and possible driving disqualification. Suitable insurance cover is legally compulsory for all vehicles used as private hire transport.

Buy private hire insurance from reputable and specialist providers like Taxi Protection

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