Taxi and private hire licensing

Taxi fares vary based on:

• time of day
• day of the week
• number of passengers
• how much luggage
• type of vehicle

The fares are different if the vehicle:

• is a saloon type vehicle which has four passenger seats or
• is a people carrier type vehicle which can seat from five up to a maximum of eight passengers

We do not license taxis to carry more than eight passengers.

We set a maximum Hackney carriage tariff (taxi fare).

This means the taxi driver:

• cannot charge more than the maximum fare
• must display the fare on the meter in the taxi

The taxi driver can negotiate to charge a lower fare.

The Braintree District Hackney Carriage Association apply to our Licensing Committee for increases in taxi fares. The last increase was in 2018.

Tariff 1

For journeys over 643.7 metres the first 643.7 metres costs £3.50 then every 95.4 metres after costs £0.10

If the total distance is less than 643.7 metres the charge is £3.50

Tariff 2

For journeys over 643.7 metres the first 643.7 metres costs £5.25 then every 95.4 metres after costs £0.15

If the total distance is less than 643.7 metres the charge is £5.25

We charge this if you hire a taxi and your journey

• is between 11.00pm and 6am
• begins on a Sunday
• is on a public Holiday (excluding the holidays below)

Tariff 3

For journeys over 643.7 metres the first 643.7 metres costs £7 then every 95.4 metres after costs £0.20

We charge this if you hire a taxi and your journey

• is between 11 pm on Christmas eve and 6 am on the day after Boxing day (27 December)
• is between 11 pm on New years eve and 6 am on New years day (2 January)

Extra charges

Waiting time

For every of 1 minute or uncompleted part thereof, we will charge £0.35

Soiling fee 

We charge £30 every time the vehicle is soiled and is required to be withdrawn from service for valeting.

Vehicles carrying 5 or more people

Vehicles licensed to carry 5 or more passengers can charge Tariff 2 for journeys when 5 or more persons are travelling

These vehicles can charge Tariff 3 for journeys when 5 or more persons are travelling between 11.00pm and 6am or for any journey commenced on a Sunday or a Public Holiday.