This site is about legally licensed taxis, however, we feel that some information about the operation of private hire cars in Edinburgh could be of some assistance to taxi users

These vehicles are NOT allowed to pick up off the street. They MUST be pre-booked. Often at night they are seen parked outside pubs, clubs and other places of entertainment awaiting a chance pick-up. When challenged, after they have been sitting for over 30 minutes, they often claim to have a booking. Hardly believable, is it? But the Police fail to act to protect the public - they claim to be busy elsewhere

Taxi drivers have to invest many hours and, indeed a lot of money, to learn their trade; all that is required of a private hire driver is that he is considered by the council to "be a fit and proper person to hold any licence." No check at all is made regarding his knowledge of Edinburgh. (a small but extremely important point, 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 well-documented that the police and Council ignore the illegal activities of many ph drivers, who tout for business illegally, who blatantly flout the law by ignoring traffic signs and who think they can act as if they were driving a taxi.
There have been some cases where young girls have been attacked after getting into a private car thinking it was a PHC. It is our view that this happens because of the police failure to stop PHCs ranking illegally outside nightspots.

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 ALL YOU ARE GOING TO SAVE IS A FEW MINUTES WAIT?