Cheshire West and Chester Council warns partygoers to ‘get a tax home’

Dec 1 2011 Chester Chronicle

FESTIVE partygoers are being advised to get a taxi home after a night in Chester.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Licensing Team is advising residents to use the services of a private hire or hackney carriage vehicle – which, in the case of private hire, bear yellow council licence plates to the front and rear as well as yellow door stickers and in the case of hackney carriages, bear white council licence plates.

Accepting a lift home in an unlicensed vehicle puts the passengers at risk, as both the driver and vehicle have not undergone the correct checks.

Unlicensed hire and reward journeys also invalidate any insurance for that vehicle.

Executive member for community and Environment, Cllr Lynn Riley, said: “Now the Christmas period has begun many people will be spending their evenings out with friends and family catching up over food and festivities.

“We are advising people to remember to plan ahead with their travel arrangements for the journey home and always make the journey in a licensed vehicle.

“Licensed vehicles undergo regular independent inspections for safety and comfort and licensed drivers have met all of the Council’s requirements, including medical and criminality checks – ensuring the safest possible end to the evening.

“You should never be tempted to get into a vehicle that is not licensed.”

Private hire vehicles must be pre-booked via a licensed private hire operator, and cannot be flagged down in the street as any journey would not be covered by insurance.

Hackney carriages bear white council licence plates to the front and rear and display an illuminated Taxi sign they can be hired either by pre-booking, from a designated rank or by being flagged-down in the street.