There are many safety factors to consider when hiring or booking a taxi/ private hire vehicle. Every driver and vehicle (in most towns) must be licenced by the local authority. All drivers must have a current badge/licence to display and all vehicles must display some form of vehicle licence. If at any time when hiring a taxi/chauffeur vehicle you are unsure of it's safety or legal factors you can always check with the local council or authority who will confirm that the company or driver is legal and registered with them. Like voyager UK many chauffeur companies are exempt from dispalying taxi signs or licences although they must still carry some form of proof that they are licensed.

All companies must be able to give an estimated price for your journey before departure to allow you to decide if you wish to continue with the hire or not.

There are some ways in which you can try to prevent using a 'cowboy' company and these are as follows:

1.) USE VOYAGER UK OR OTHER LICENSED CHAUFFEUR COMPANY, AT ALL TIMES!!

2.) CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL/AUTHORITY FOR A LIST OF LICENSED COMPANIES.

3.) CHECK YELL.COM OR SIMILAR REGISTIRIES FOR LOCAL COMPANIES (MOST COWBOYS DO NOT BOTHER WITH GOOD ADVERTISIING AND JUST WISH TO MAKE AN EASY EARNING.

4.) IF AT ANY TIME YOU ARE UNSURE IF A DRIVER OR COMPANY DO NOT RISK IT AND SEND THE DRIVER AWAY.

5.) WITH EFFECT FORM MONDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER 2006 THE SEATBELT AND CHILD RESTRAINT LAWS ARE CHANGING. MAJORITY OF CHILDREN UNDER 11 YEARS OF AGE MUST NOW USE EITHER A CHILD SAFETY CAR SEAT OR A BOOSTER SEAT IN ANY VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH THIS IS OPTIONAL IF USING A TAXI THAT DOES NOT HAVE A CHILD RESTRAINT FITTED.

VOYAGER UK CAN ALWAYS PROVIDE SEATS AND BOOSTERS AT NO EXTRA COST.

For up to date local legislation contact yor local authority.

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