Taxis and private hire vehicles

The fares for taxi journeys are set by the district/borough council and are displayed on a taximeter fitted in the vehicle (which can be checked by the council to confirm that they are operating at the set tariff). If the journey takes the vehicle outside the district a different fare may be agreed before the journey begins. The councils do not set the fares for private hire vehicles and any person hiring a private hire vehicle should agree the fare with the operator before starting a journey.

Both types of vehicle are licensed by the district/borough councils. They are inspected for mechanical condition and adequacy of insurance, etc.

Drivers of both taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed. Before a licence is granted the applicant must satisfy certain conditions, ranging from a search by the Disclosure and Barring Service, medical examinations and completion of driver improvement schemes.

Operators of private hire vehicles are licensed.

• Christchurch & East Dorset - Hackney Carriage/Private Hire licensing

  Information about the type of licence(s) you need to drive and operate a Private Hire or Hackney Carriage vehicle in the Borough of Christchurch or in the East Dorset district.

• North Dorset Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing

  Information for those who want to be taxi drivers and their customers in North Dorset.

• Purbeck private hire / Hackney Carriage licensing

  Any car or small minibus that is used to carry passengers for hire or reward is required by law to be licensed by the council.

• West Dorset Private Hire and Hackney Carriage licensing

  Information on Taxi and Private Hire licensing for West Dorset.

• Weymouth and Portland Private Hire / Hackney Carriage Licensing

  Information on Private Hire and Hackney Carriage licensing for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

• Taxi licence complaint form

  Submit a complaint about a taxi driver or private hire vehicle in Dorset.