Taxi Information

There are two types of taxi operating in Brighton & Hove, Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles.

Hackney Carriages

How to recognise a Hackney Carriage

1. they will display a full roof sign with the words ‘Brighton & Hove Taxi’
2. they will be white with aqua-marine bonnets and boots (see picture below)
3. they must display a windscreen badge which shows the vehicle licence number
4. they will display a white square plate, with aqua-marine and black writing,on the rear of each vehicle which shows the taxi licence number
5. the taxi licence number is also on the rear passenger doors by the door handle

How to get a Hackney Carriage

1. they can be hired from taxi ranks
2. they can be hailed on the street
3. they can be booked by telephone or by going to a taxi office
4. they can be booked using freephones at various places in the city
5. most taxi firms have wheelchair accessible vehicles which can be requested

Cost

Hackney Carriages can only charge up to the metered rate set by the council for journeys taking place in the city. These will be on display in each vehicle and a meter will calculate the fare. For any other journey the fare is negotiable with the driver before the start of travel. Please see our Fare Information page for further cost information.

Private Hire Vehicles

How to recognise a Private Hire Vehicle

1. they may display a small roof sign with the company telephone number (optional)
2. they can be any colour other than white
3. they must display a windscreen badge which shows the vehicle licence number
4. they must display a council plate which is green with black writing on the rear of the car which shows the vehicle licence number
5. the vehicle number is also on the rear passenger doors by the the door handle

How to get a Private Hire Vehicle

1. they can only be booked by telephone or by going to a taxi office
2. they cannot be flagged down and may not be insured for street hiring

Cost

Most Private Hire cars have meters set to the same fare as Hackney Carriages for journeys within the city. These will be on display in each vehicle. For all other journeys or where no meter is used, the fare is negotiable with the driver before the start of travel. Please see our Fare Information page for further cost information.

Main taxi ranks in Brighton & Hove

1. Argos – Western Road
2. Blockbusters – London Road
3. Brighton & Hove Bus Depot – Lewes Road
4. Brighton General Hospital – Elm Grove
5. Brighton Railway Station – Queens Road
6. Brunswick Place
7. Cannon Place
8. Carden Hill
9. Court Farm Road
10. East Street
11. Floral Clock
12. Hollingbury Park Avenue
13. Hove Railway Station – Goldstone Villas
14. Hove Town Hall – Norton Road
15. Lewes Road – opp. Coldean Lane
16. Marine Parade – by Broad Street
17. Montpelier Crescent
18. Norfolk Road – opp. Norfolk Square
19. North Street
20. Oxford Street
21. Paston Place
22. Patcham Clock Tower – Warmdene Avenue
23. Pool Valley Coach Station – Grand Junction Road
24. Preston Street
25. Queens Park Terrace
26. Queen Square
27. Royal Sussex County Hospital – Paston Place
28. Rutland Gardens
29. St James’ Street
30. St Peters Church – St Peters Place
31. Stanford Avenue
32. The Broadway – Whitehawk
33. The Upper Driver – at the top
34. West Street – outside Event II / Odeon
35. Western Street
36. Woolworth’s – Goldstone Villas

Hotels

1. Grand – Kings Road
2. Metropole – Kings Road
3. Old Ship – Kings Road
4. Thistle – Kings Road

Please note: Only Brighton & Hove Hackney Carriages are licensed to ply for hire on taxi ranks within Brighton & Hove

Taxi Freephones

1. Asda – Brighton Marina and Hollingbury
2. Brighton Centre – Kings Road
3. Brighton Law Courts – Edward Street
4. Brighton Pier – Madeira Drive
5. Co-Op – St James’ Street
6. Corn Exchange – Church Street
7. Gala Bingo – Freshfield Road
8. Iceland – London Road
9. Marks & Spencer – Western Road
10. Preston Park Railway Station – Clermont Road
11. Safeway – St James’ Street
12. Sainsbury’s – Lewes Road
13. Sainsbury's - West Hove
14. School Clinic – Morley Street
15. Somerfield – London Road
16. Sussex University
17. Tesco’s – Church Road
18. Dome – Church Street
19. The Lift – Madeira Drive
20. Theatre Royal – New Road
21. UGC Cinema – Brighton Marina
22. Varley Halls of Residence – Coldean Lane
23. Woodvale Crematorium – Bear Road

Be safe – not sorry

All drivers must be wearing a badge showing their licence number and date of expiry. Vehicles and drivers are controlled by very stringent bylaws and licensing conditions.

1. Do only use Brighton & Hove Licensed Hackney Carriages or Private Hire vehicles in Brighton & Hove
2. Do telephone a reliable firm or go to a taxi rank
3. Do sit in the back of the car and fasten your safety belt
4. Do ask for a vehicle with wheelchair access if it is needed
5. Do ask for a quote if your journey takes you outside Brighton & Hove
6. Do ask for a receipt if you think you have been charged too much
7. Do have small value notes and check your change before leaving the vehicle
8. Do ask to see the driver’s badge and note the number if you have cause to complain. Also, note the number on the rear passenger door or the back or the car
9. Do respect the driver and the vehicle you are travelling in
10. Do ask for a vehicle that allows smoking if you wish to smoke
11. Do not hail cars in the street or get into a car unless you are sure it is a Hackney Carriage or the Private Hire Vehicle you have ordered
12. Do not get into a vehicle if you are concerned for your safety
13. Do not engage a car for a long journey unless you are satisfied with the price quoted
14. Do not offer large value notes
15. Do not pay more than the fare on the meter. Tips are at your discretion