Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles
There are two different types of licensed vehicle in Mole Valley.
Taxis (or hackney carriages)
- can be hired on the street or at taxi ranks
- display a roof sign that says ‘TAXI’ or ‘For Hire’
- do not need to be pre-booked
- have a yellow licence plate on the rear bumper of the vehicle
- have a smaller yellow plate inside the vehicle on display
Private hire vehicles
- are not permitted to have a roof sign that displays ‘TAXI’ or ‘FOR HIRE’
- bookings made through a licensed operator
- display a red licence plate on the rear bumper
- fares agreed in advance and relayed to the driver who picks you up
- must be pre-booked before they can be used
You will need to license the vehicle. Contact licensing@molevalley.gov.uk for an application form.
Click here for the appropriate fees for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing.
Any new licensed vehicle will need to be six years old or younger.
To view the Licensing Policy for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire please click here.
If the journey takes the taxi outside Mole Valley, the driver must still charge in accordance with the scales below unless agreed otherwise before the journey has started.
The driver for the cab is required to conspicuously wear an identity badge.
Mileage rates may only be charged from point of pick up.
The meter must be engaged at the commencement of the hire and the fare on the meter must clearly be visible to passengers at all times.
If a Hackney Carriage driver has refused to take you because the fare is too small, or if the driver or vehicle does not meet your expectations, you can report a problem with a taxi to us.
Rate 1: General effect
- first 1/2 of a mile (880 yards) or part thereof: £3.90
- each subsequent 141 yards or part thereof: +22p
- each 41 seconds or part thereof: +28p
Example (does not include waiting times or extra):
- 1 mile – £5.44
- 2 miles – £8.08
- 5 miles – £16.44
- 10 miles – £30.08
Rate 2: Late evening, Sunday and Bank Holiday
1.5 x Rate 1
- 11pm to 7.30am, Monday to Saturday
- 11pm Saturday to 7.30am Monday
- all Bank Holidays (except Christmas and New Year)
Rate 3: Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
2 x Rate 1
- 6pm Christmas Eve to midnight Christmas Day
- 6pm New Year’s Eve to midnight New Year’s Day
Extra charges
Each passenger in excess of two: 35p
Booking charge for hire involving a separate journey to pick up a hirer: +£1
For more information email licensing@molevalley.gov.uk