Taxis - information for the public

If you think you lost something in a taxi or private hire vehicle email us with the details and we will ask drivers to check their vehicles. It would be helpful to know:

• what you lost
• where you were picked up and dropped off
• the date and time of your journey.

Email: taxi@waverley.gov.uk

Drivers of taxis and private hire cars must check their vehicles after their passengers get out,  to check for lost property. If they find any,  they should take it to the council offices within 48 hours.

Private hire charges are agreed in advance between you, the hirer, and the operator, and are not set by the council.

Taxis (hackney carriages) must charge fares set by us in our Taxi fare chart for journeys within the borough. This must be displayed in the cab. If going out of the borough, you and the driver can agree a set price before starting the journey.

We provide ranks for our licensed taxis (hackney carriage vehicles).  These ranks must not be used by taxis licensed outside of Waverley, by private hire drivers and vehicles, or by the public.  Our licensed vehicles may not use ranks outside Waverley. 

Our ranks are located at:

• Village Way, Cranleigh
• High Street/Bank Buildings Road West, Cranleigh (by the war memorial)
• West Street, Farnham
• Castle Street Farnham
• Crown Court Car Park, Godalming
• High Street, Haslemere (by Georgian House Hotel, as part of bus stop lay-by)
• Bridge Street, Godalming

Taxi Ranks on Private property

The railway station ranks at Farnham, Godalming and Haslemere are privately owned.  Taxi ranks on private property are managed by the land owner and usually require a permit or permission. All enquiries should be directed to the land owner and not to Waverley Borough Council.

In order to obtain a licence drivers of both taxis and private hire vehicles must be thoroughly checked. This includes criminal record checks, tests of their knowledge of the area and medical checks.

When a driver is granted a licence they will be issued with a badge which must be clearly visible when they are working.  They must also display a small plate on the front windscreen.

You have a right to see the driver's details (photo, badge and number) and can make a note of them.  This will help if you lose property in the vehicle or have a complaint about a journey.

Different plates are issued for taxi and private hire vehicles.  Taxis may be hailed in the street and may pick up passengers from taxi ranks. Private hire vehicles may only be booked in advance.

Licensed vehicles should display a plate at the rear of the vehicle.  Different plates are given to taxis and private hire vehicles - taxis have a blue and white plate, will have a roof box and a meter.  Private hire vehicles have a red and white plate and no roof sign.

Both the vehicle and the driver should be neat and tidy.

Designated wheelchair accessible vehicles must be able to carry the passenger while in the wheelchair. There must be no additional charge for carrying a wheelchair.

Wheelchair accessible taxis and private hire vehicles in Waverley