Taxi or private hire differences

You can use this page to check what type of vehicle you are using, what each licence allows, and how drivers and vehicles are regulated in South Lanarkshire. Taxis and private hire cars look similar but follow different rules. The key difference is how you book them. Taxis can be flagged down or picked up at ranks. Private hire cars must always be pre-booked.

Taxis

Taxis are licensed vehicles that you can:

• stop in the street
• hire at taxi ranks
• book in advance

You can recognise a taxi by:

• a roof sign showing “taxi”
• white front and rear licence plates and door stickers
• a fare meter and a fare card inside the vehicle

The meter shows the price of your journey. Drivers must not charge more than the metered fare unless a fare card explains extra charges. They may charge less.

Private hire cars

Private hire cars must be booked before your journey. You cannot stop them in the street or use them at taxi ranks.

You can recognise a private hire car by:

• yellow rear licence plates and door stickers
• no roof sign

The price is usually agreed when you book. Some cars may have a meter, but it must meet our standards.

Driver licences

All drivers must hold a licence issued by us and display their photo ID in the vehicle.

• taxi driver licence (white badge): allows drivers to operate both taxis and private hire cars
• private hire driver licence (yellow badge): allows drivers to operate private hire cars only, for pre-booked journeys

You can ask to see the driver’s ID at any time.

Safety checks and standards

We carry out checks to help keep you safe:

• Police Scotland checks all applicants
• drivers must pass a local knowledge test
• vehicles must pass regular inspections (every year, or every 6 months if over 5 years old)
• all vehicles must have insurance to carry passengers

Private hire drivers who take passengers without a booking may not be insured.

Licence conditions: 

Taxi/private hire operator licence conditions
Taxi/private hire driver licence conditions