What goes into a tariff?
A flag or start charge that covers the first part of the trip, a running rate charged per fixed distance or per unit of waiting time, extras for luggage, extra passengers or soiling, and separate tariffs for nights, Sundays and public holidays. The meter applies whichever tariff is in force.
How does a council set or change it?
Under section 65 of the 1976 Act a district council fixes hackney fares by a table of fares. It must publish the new table or variation in a local newspaper with a period of not less than fourteen days for objections before it takes effect.[1]
Do private hire operators follow the council tariff?
Not usually. Councils fix maximum fares for hackney carriages; private hire fares are agreed between operator and customer, often as a fixed price quoted at booking. Many operators still copy a tariff structure so prices are predictable. Try the taxi tariff calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Can a taxi charge less than the tariff?
The tariff sets the maximum a hackney carriage may charge on a metered journey within the district; it is not a minimum.
Where can I see my council's tariff?
Councils publish the current table of fares on their licensing pages, and drivers must display it in the vehicle.
Sources
Fees and rules change. Each source is the official page we read, with the date we read it; check it before you apply or pay.
