Taxi or Minicab ?

Hackney carriages (or "taxis") are public transport vehicles which are licensed to "ply for hire".

• carry passengers for hire or reward;
• be hailed by prospective passengers in the street; and
• park on a rank to await the approach of passengers.

A hackney carriage must be driven by a driver who holds a hackney carriage driver's licence.

Hackney carriage vehicles can be found at the ranks around Clitheroe and they can be hailed in the street. These vehicles have a roof light with the word TAXI on them. They have a blue plate affixed to the rear and a smaller version affixed to the windscreen which carry details of the expiry date, licence number and vehicle registration.

Private hire vehicles (or minicabs) are similarly public transport vehicles. However, a private hire vehicle cannot ply for hire or stand in a rank. It must be pre-booked with a private hire operator i.e. through the operator usually via telephone.

The vehicles have door signs which state "Advanced bookings only". They have a yellow plate affixed to the rear and a smaller version affixed to the windscreen which carry details of the expiry date, licence number and vehicle registration. These vehicles are not insured to ply for hire.