If I hail a London Taxi cab with his light illuminated, is he obliged to stop?

Question

This is actually a question of my elder brother, who wants me to research the point on public perception of law as his cab gets covered in kebabs if he doesn't stop.. The real answer I already know (I'm a lawyer!).

livinfortheweekend2 · Accepted Answer

So why are you asking us?

Shades · Answer

They did a test a couple of months ago with a white guy and a black guy, guess what the cabs stopped more for the white guy nearly 70% of the time (they were in exactly the same part of London, dressed identically)

Anonym · Answer

NO THE CAB IS NOT OBLIGED TO STOP. THE LIGHT IS OFF WHEN HE AS A FAREPAYING PASSENGER WHEN THE METER IS RUNNING. WHEN THE PARE PAYING PASSENGER GETS OUT THE METER STOPS RUNNING AND THE LIGHT COMES ON. JUST BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS ON IT DOES NO MEAN THE DRIVER IS IN A POSTION TO PICK PASSENGERS UP FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS ONE BEING HE MAY HAVE FINISHED FOR THE DAY AND ON HIS WAY HOME
ANOTHER REASON MAY BE THE FACT THAT A TAXI RANK MAY BE CLOSE BY AND THE TAXIS ARE BARRED FROM PICKING UP WITHIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE OF THE RANK ESPECIALLY IN BUSY TIMES

Gary Crant · Answer

Why would you not stop for somebody if your plying for hire. A couple of reasons I can think of is if the punter appears intoxicated,or you simply dont see them. To have your hire sign lit if your on your way home for example and refuse a hiring is not a legitamate reason to refuse.i.e. If your in Sth. London on your way home (with your hire sign on) and someone wants Tottenham Nth London that is not an excuse not to take them. Although this does happen. If  for example you want to travel West and a Cab wont stop for you (because your taking him away from the direction he wishes to travel) cross the road, and if he stops he`s obliged by law to take you. If he refuses in that instance ask for his number and report him/her to the Public Carriage Office.

eriverpipe · Answer

Whatever the legal response, I'd have thought from a kebab/ cab interface perspective, the concept of 'Better out than in' applies.....

Puppet Dictator · Answer

Legally they are obliged to stop - right?  However any cab driver has the right to refuse a fare if they think they are intoxicated, rowdy etc so.......

Anonym · Answer

yes, im sure its a part of the hackney cab license, to ply for trade and make pickups in the street. but, im also pretty sure that the driver can choose not to carry someone if he considers them to be unfit..

but it is illegal to discriminate on the usual grounds, race colour etc.

mark · Answer

I believe they are required to stop.  But I'm sure they have rules which govern exceptions, such as if you look like a kebab wielding drunk!

MISS CAROLYN ARSENAL · Answer

I bet some dont stop, especially if its people with kids or drunks.

But i always thought that if they have their light on, then they are available, but i expect its "Up to the drivers discretion" who he picks up.

john j · Answer

if the driver feels that the intended passenger could be a threat to him.then he is not obliged to stop.

J M · Answer

My guess is no.  Are we to assume it is safe for him to stop?  That he isn't driving to a specific pick up point?  That he didn't forget to turn it off?

If I hail a London Taxi cab with his light illuminated, is he obliged to stop?

12 Antworten