Find Taxis & Private Hire Vehicles in the UK

While both taxis and private hire vehicles provide passenger transport services, taxis can be hailed on the street or at taxi ranks, and they often operate with a meter to calculate fares.

Private hire vehicles (PHVs), on the other hand, must be pre-booked through a licensed operator, and fares are usually agreed upon in advance. PHVs cannot pick up passengers without a prior booking. Colloquially, many people still refer to private hire vehicles as taxis.

Many taxi services, especially in more built-up urban areas, operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Private hire vehicles and car rental services might have different operating hours, but many provide round-the-clock service for pre-booked journeys, especially for airport transfers and essential travel.

You’re more likely to find help from taxis and private hire vehicle services late at night if you think ahead. Even if you can’t book a taxi in advance for those times, you can check whether they operate during those hours.

Before you’re able to rent a car (this goes for both short term and long-term rentals), you’ll typically need to make sure you have these documents to hand:

• A valid driver's licence.

• A credit card for payment and deposit (in most cases).

• Proof of identity (passport or national ID).

Remember, individual car rental businesses will have their own set of requirements that you’ll need to follow. Make sure that you look into the exact requirements and terms and conditions rental services provide before going to pick up a vehicle.

Rental prices vary by model, duration of the rental period, and insurance. You should expect to pay around £15 to £30 per day for basic models, while higher-spec, luxury vehicles could cost upwards of £100 per day.

To get a better idea of what you’re likely to pay, you need to know the type of car that you want, the length of time you’ll want to hire it for, and the type of insurance coverage you’re likely to need. Car rental services can give you quotes based on that information.

In some cases, car rental and other vehicle hire services will include hidden fees that are not openly advertised. These can significantly bump up the cost of the service and stop you from getting value for money. Hidden fees could include:

• Fuel surcharges: If you don’t return a rental car with a full tank, you could be charged extra.

• Additional driver fees: Some companies charge if more than one person will drive the vehicle.

• Late return penalties: Returning a vehicle late could incur extra charges.

• Cleaning fees: If the vehicle is returned excessively dirty.

Always ask for a full breakdown of costs before confirming your hire. This will allow you to compare quotes from several services and help you get better value for money.

When hiring a vehicle, insurance is often included in the rental fee. However, coverage levels vary, and you might need to pay an extra fee to have insurance included. Options are typically:

• Basic insurance: Covers damage to the vehicle but may come with a high excess (deductible).

• Comprehensive insurance: Offers broader coverage, including theft and damage to third parties.

• Optional add-ons: You can buy extra protection to reduce or eliminate the excess. Always read the policy carefully and consider additional coverage if needed.

There’s no right option here, choosing is all about your personal level of comfort with taking risks, and balancing that with the cost of the different insurance options.

If you experience any issues with your rental car, don’t panic. Take the following actions to avoid problems later on:

1. Contact the hire company immediately to report the problem.

2. Keep records of any damage, repairs, or issues you experience.

3. Check whether the issue is covered under your insurance or the rental agreement.

4. If you're not satisfied with the company's resolution, you can escalate the issue with relevant consumer protection authorities, such as the

   British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association.

Since issues can occur with rental vehicles, it’s always a good idea to check terms and conditions carefully before confirming any rental.

Cars are useful for both short and long-term needs, including everything from running local errands to heading off on weekends away. They might also be a good fit as temporary replacement vehicles when your own car is unavailable.

Of course, there are many occasions when renting a car isn’t suitable, and you’ll instead need a van. Hiring a van is a common choice for people who are moving home, moving office, or picking up (or dropping off) furniture or other large items.

Vans are a much better fit for these types of transportation than cars, which are mainly filled with seats. Many car rental services will have vans you can use, but it might be more cost-effective to find a van hire service that has more options.

Yes, many car and van rental services offer one-way rentals where you drop off the vehicle at a different location from where you picked it up. This can be highly convenient, since it means you don’t have to double back on yourself at any point.

Not all vehicle rental services offer this option, and those that do might charge extra fees for this service. For this reason, you should always check the terms of this service before booking and when comparing quotes.

In the UK, most car rental services require drivers to be at least 23 years or older, although some rental services might be available for people aged 21 or older. Some companies even have higher age limits, especially where luxury or speciality vehicles are available for hire.

If you’re unsure whether you’re able to hire a vehicle through your local car rental services, it’s best to contact them directly for answers. Alternatively, you could post a free enquiry that includes your age, and see which rental services can help you.

Yes, many companies provide hourly, daily, or even multi-day hire services where a driver is available to transport you to various locations over a set period. This is common for events, business trips, or sightseeing tours where a driver is required for an extended period.

You’ll need to agree on the service period with your chauffeur-driven car service beforehand, since they might have other bookings. You can always ask to extend your service period, but there’s a chance they’ll be unable to accommodate you.

Generally, you should expect to between £50 and £100 per hour for chauffeur-driven car services. Of course, costs can end up much higher than this if you want a luxury car model or if you have more demanding journey requirements.

The cost of chauffeur driven car services – like taxis, car rentals, and other vehicle hire services – is going to be affected by your location, the time of the hire period, and other circumstantial factors. The easiest way to get a clear idea of the costs is to ask for quotes from local services.

When using taxi and private hire vehicle services, safety is paramount. Make sure you do the following to stay safe and avoid danger in the future:

• Confirm the vehicle and driver details: Verify the driver's identity and vehicle registration via the booking confirmation or dispatch.

• Share your ride details: Share your trip with a trusted friend or family member.

• Check safety features: Make sure seat belts are functional and child seats are provided, if necessary.

• Avoid unlicensed taxis: Always use licensed taxis or reputable ride-hailing services for your safety.

By following these tips, you can limit the likelihood of unsafe situations when using taxis and private hire vehicle services.

Before hiring any taxi or private hire vehicle service, it's helpful to ask these questions. This will increase your chances of hiring a quality service and getting good value for money.

• Are your drivers fully licensed and insured?

You need to make sure your driver is fully licensed and insured to be on the road. Besides having the relevant motor vehicle insurance, taxis and private hire vehicle services should have either public liability insurance or taxi liability insurance.

This form of coverage protects you in case an accident or injury occurs, particularly where the driver or the company has been negligent. If a service cannot provide evidence of licensing or insurance coverage, go elsewhere.

• What are the rates and any additional charges (e.g., airport surcharges, waiting time)?

You need to have a clear idea of the amount you’re going to pay when hiring taxis or private hire vehicles. Are they going to use a meter? Or will you agree on a set price before the journey? Are there any other hidden fees or extra charges?

You should have a total understanding of how you will be charged, and how you’re able to pay (via card, contactless payment, or cash). If you don’t get clear answers to these questions, it’s likely they’ll try to charge you extra during and after the journey.

• Can you accommodate special requests, such as child seats or wheelchair access?

If you need any special accommodations, like a child seat or a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, you need to ask about availability at the earliest opportunity. Most taxis and private hire vehicles aren’t equipped with to handle these requests, so forethought helps.

If they’re unable to accommodate your request, you’ll have the time to find a service that can help you.

• What is your cancellation policy?

In life, mishaps can occur and stop you from being able to take your expected journey. Whatever the reason, if you need to cancel your taxi or private hire vehicle, you need to know whether it’s going to cost you a penalty fee.

Many services allow you to cancel without any extra charges, as long as you do so with enough notice. Most allow you to cancel free of charge if you give them at least 24 or 48 hours’ notice – but it’s best to check and see what your local services allow specifically.