Know your taxi
There are two types of licenced vehicles in Sunderland
Hackney Carriage
All Sunderland Taxis are white in colour
They have a ‘TAXI’ roofsign
They display the yellow Sunderland City Council decals on the front doors
Taxis have a meter which has the fare by the Council
You can hail a Taxi anywhere in the city when available for hire or at a designated Taxi Rank
Taxis can also undertake pre-booked work
This is what a Sunderland Taxi (Hackney Carriage) license plate looks like.
The plate should be displayed on the rear of the vehicle.
Private hire
Can be any colour except white
May display a roofsign with company name, ‘Private Only’ and company telephone number on the rear
Is not required to have a meter, but can choose to use one
A Private Hire can only undertake pre-booked work through a licenced operator
A Private Hire can not pick up at taxi ranks or be hailed on the street
This is what a Sunderland Private Hire Vehicle licence plate looks like.
The plate should be displayed on the rear of the vehicle.
How do I tell my taxi is a Station Taxi?
Not all white taxis in Sunderland are Station Taxis, some are independent Hackney Carriages that operate from ranks in the City Centre or work for another company.
Our Hackney Carriage vehicles all have a logo on the bonnet, red phone number and stripes on the side.
Our Private Hire vehicles (which can be any colour except white) all clearly display the logo, number and stripes on the side.
Station Taxis drivers are all uniformed, and display a licenced badge at all times.
