Know Your Ride: Stay safe this festive season with Gold Standard taxis

Article date: 13 December 2024

Whether you're heading out for a night on the town, tackling your Christmas shopping, or attending a festive family event, locally licensed vehicles have achieved the Gold Standard and have you covered.

When arranging a taxi with local operators, residents can ask for a locally licensed vehicle. This means that passengers can ride with peace of mind knowing that their driver, or the Gold Standard hackney carriage they hail, have undergone:

• Rigorous background checks.
• Comprehensive safeguarding training.
• Thorough vehicle inspections.

And for added security, Taxi Marshals will be on hand at town centre taxi ranks to help ensure your safe journey home.

Private hire vehicles and Hackney carriages licensed in St Helens Borough are easily identifiable by:

• A Gold Standard badge and driver lanyard.
• A vehicle licence plate displayed on the rear.
• Operator door signage.

By opting for a St Helens Borough licensed vehicle, you're not only supporting local drivers but also selecting professionals directly accountable to the St Helens Licensing Authority. This guarantees an added layer of trust, especially during the busy holiday season.

Councillor Trisha Long, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Supporting Neighbourhoods, said:

"Know Your Ride and our Gold Standard are both brilliant initiatives that are ensuring our residents' safety and peace of mind while travelling via taxi across St Helens Borough. Residents can rest assured that taxis licensed in St Helens have achieved our Gold Standard of skills and knowledge, having gone through strict checks and been trained in vital safeguarding awareness. 

"By choosing a St Helens licensed vehicle, you're ensuring your driver has been thoroughly vetted, the car is safe, and you're protected by local regulations. Don't take unnecessary risks - your safety and wellbeing are worth the peace of mind that comes with using a properly licensed St Helens taxi."

Have feedback on your journey? Ask your driver for a Complaints & Compliments Card and scan the QR code to share your experience. If you encounter an issue, you can easily Report a Driver to the Licensing Authority through the same system.

Visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/knowyourride to learn more.

Looking for a rewarding career? St Helens Licensing Authority is recruiting drivers to uphold the Gold Standard and help keep the community safe.

Visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/taxis to start your journey with the Gold Standard.