Some facts about Private Hire CARS.

Taxi drivers have to invest many hours and, indeed a lot of money, to learn their trade; in doing so they learn every street, housing estate, most major hotels and guest houses, as well as places of interest and much more, coupled with the best routes between any of those places.A private hire driver, on the other hand, only needs to be considered by the council "a fit and proper person to hold any licence." No check at all is made regarding his knowledge of Edinburgh or his ability to communicate effectively with the public. (small but extremely important points, conveniently forgotten by the phc trade when they claim that they do take the same tests.) Many drivers with recent criminal convictions are granted a private hire driver's licence but are refused a taxi driver's licence.

It is widely recognised that some of those running PHC companies have links to or are involved in the illegal drug trade and/or moneylaundering. By using the services of these companies, you may be helping fund the misery caused by drug traffickers.

If the driver of any vehicle approaches you, claiming to have a taxi, note the registration number of the vehicle, report it to the police and demand an incident number. NEVER enter the vehicle. It may seem tempting to get you home, but think of the risks involved. It is NOT a taxi. It may not even be a hire car. It is NOT insured. In the event of any incident, it may not be possible to trace the driver. Ask yourself this :-

IS IT REALLY WORTH THE RISK WHEN A TAXI WILL BE THERE IN A FEW MINUTES?

KEEP YOURSELF AND OTHERS SAFE - ALWAYS USE A LICENSED TAXI!