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Taxi safety advice

Taxis and private hire vehicles are generally a safe way to travel. It is important to make sure that you choose a licensed vehicle and to take sensible precautions.

Taxis licensed with Swansea Council are black in colour. You are urged to find your taxis at the end of the night at an official ranks. In the City Centre our official ranks regularly have taxi marshals present:

  • Caer Street - opposite Yates at Castle Square
  • York Street - opposite Vue Cinema
  • Kingsway - outside the NCP car park

All private hire vehicles licensed with the City and County of Swansea are white in colour.

Please be aware that you must pre-book a private hire vehicle via a licensed private hire operator. You must not hail or ask a driver of a white private hire vehicle for a journey without making a booking. It is against the law for the driver to take you and they may not be uninsured.

All licensed vehicles in Swansea will have a unique licence number. These are on both the passenger and driver doors of the vehicle and the plate affixed to the back of the vehicle. Make a note of this number when using any licensed vehicles before you get in, this may help if you ever need to trace the vehicle for example if you leave something behind.

All licensed drivers will be wearing a badge with their photograph, licence number and expiry date. They will also display a second badge within the vehicle for you to see. Check it!

Remember:

  • always use the official ranks or private hire offices to arrange your journey
  • make sure you check for a black taxi or white private hire vehicle
  • check the unique licence number of the vehicle before you get in, if you can make a note of the number or take a photo of the number on the door sticker or rear plate
  • check your driver is licensed by making sure he or she is wearing their badge
  • if you have any complaints or compliments about your driver, the vehicle or the operator please contact Taxi Licensing on 01792 635600 or email the details to taxilicensing@swansea.gov.uk

Unlicensed taxis

Take a lift in an unlicensed taxi and you're putting your life at risk. Your driver may not be insured if you have an accident and you run the risk of being cheated, assaulted or even worse.

If your taxi doesn't display these stickers and plate, DON'T GET IN! All drivers should wear a photographic identity badge at all times. A second badge should be displayed in the vehicle.

How to identify your taxi

Private hire vehicles

Hackney carriages

ARE - White in colour which can be saloon cars or other vehicles which have been approved by the council. These will have on display a plate on the rear of the vehicle and have green identification triangles stating the licence number of the vehicle.ARE - Black in colour, London style cabs or approved type vehicles displaying a plate at the rear of the vehicle. Also on display are yellow circle identification door stickers stating the licence number of the vehicle.
ARE NOT  - London style cabs.ARE - found on taxi ranks and touring the streets.
MUST NOT - ply for hire in streets.CAN - ply for hire.
CANNOT - wait near taxi ranks.MUST HAVE - tested and sealed meters.
DRIVERS MUST - wear an ID badge.DRIVERS MUST - wear an ID badge.
MUST BE - booked by telephone or at the operators office.FARES - are set by the council.
FARES - are not set by the council.REMEMBER ALWAYS CHECK - the meter is working. CHECK - that the driver and vehicle are licensed.
REMEMBER ALWAYS CHECK - the likely cost of the journey before booking. CHECK - that the driver and vehicle are licensed.Remember - If you go outside the city and county of Swansea, ask your driver for an estimated fare first.
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Last modified on 08 September 2021