This site offers information and help about using Edinburgh's legally licensed taxis. To complete this, we offer here some guidance and information about private hire cars and their operation.

Private hire cars (or minicabs as some call them) MUST be pre-booked. They cannot legally be hailed on the streets nor can they park in a public place in the hope of attracting business. It is a sad fact that many do offer their services illegally, particularly late at night when pubs and clubs are closing. Any member of the public using them in this way puts themselves at risk. The driver is breaking his licence conditions, the vehicle is not insured for this type of hire and in the event of any "incident," it is difficult to trace the driver or vehicle involved.

Taxi drivers have to invest many hours and, indeed a lot of money, to learn their trade; a private hire driver 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 has been reported 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 could be supporting these activities.

And Finally!

If the driver of any vehicle other than one of the vehicles pictured on our Hail a Cab page 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?