Driver Crib Sheet – Everyday Operating Rules (Cornwall)

Hackney Carriage Drivers

This crib sheet summarises the key rules you must follow when driving for the company in Cornwall.
It is not a replacement for the full policy, but a quick-reference guide.

1. Accepting or Refusing a Hire

You are generally expected to accept lawful hirings, but you may refuse in these situations:

You MAY lawfully refuse if:

  • The passenger is abusive, aggressive, or threatening
  • The passenger is intoxicated to the point of risk
  • The vehicle is already hired or pre-booked
  • The destination is outside the area you are legally required to serve
  • The journey would be unlawful or unsafe (e.g. overloading, no child restraints)

You MUST NOT refuse because:

  • The journey is short or unprofitable
  • You don’t like the destination (within the area you must serve)
  • The passenger’s lawful payment method
  • Any protected characteristic (e.g. disability, race, age)

*Always stay calm and professional when refusing.

1.1 Takeaway Food

Passengers may carry takeaway food provided that:

  • it is in a suitable container,
  • it remains closed and sealed for the whole journey, and
  • it is not eaten in the vehicle.

You may ask that takeaway food is placed securely (for example, in the footwell or boot) to reduce the risk of spillage.

You MAY refuse the hire if:

  • the food is open or unsealed,
  • the food is likely to spill or cause damage,
  • the passenger refuses to keep it sealed or secure, or
  • the situation becomes argumentative or abusive.

2. Using the Meter (Cornwall Rules)

What the national law says:

  • The law limits how much you may charge
  • It does not itself say the meter must always be on

What Cornwall Council requires:

  • The meter MUST be switched on at the start of every journey
  • This applies even if:
    • the fare is pre-agreed
    • the fare is pre-paid
    • the fare is lower than the meter would show

*This is a local licence condition and must be followed.

In practice:

  • Switch the meter on
  • Make sure the correct tariff is set
  • If the agreed fare is lower, charge the agreed fare
  • Never charge more than the meter/table allows

3. Pre-Agreed and Fixed Fares

  • Pre-agreed fares are allowed
  • The price must be:
    • clear to the passenger
    • agreed before travel
    • not more than the authorised fare
  • If asked, you must be able to explain or show how the fare was calculated

4. Route Choice – “Shortest Practicable Route”

You must take the shortest practicable route, not the shortest possible route at any cost.

You may consider:

  • safety
  • road width and suitability
  • traffic conditions
  • passenger comfort
  • weather
  • luggage and airport suitability

You are NOT required to:

  • take very narrow or risky country lanes
  • follow a route that makes the journey unsafe or uncomfortable

5. Passenger Requests for a Different Route

  • If a passenger asks for a reasonable and safe route, follow it
  • If a passenger insists on a route you reasonably consider unsafe or unsuitable, you may refuse that route

*This is not a refusal of the hire — it is professional judgment.

Suggested wording:

“That route is very narrow and not suitable — I’ll take the safer main road instead.”

6. Example You May Encounter

Newquay Airport → Padstow

  • Shortest route = narrow rural lanes (riskier)
  • Safer routes = A-roads (slightly longer)

✔ It is acceptable to price on a reasonable route
✔ It is acceptable to drive a safer route
✔ It is NOT required to take the riskiest shortest route

7. Cash Jobs and Complaints

  • Record the job clearly (date, route, fare)
  • Keep fares consistent
  • If challenged, be ready to:
    • explain the route
    • show how the fare was calculated
  • A passenger allegation alone is not proof

Offering a receipt for long or cash journeys is good practice.

8. Key Principles to Remember

  • Safety comes first
  • Takeaway food is allowed if sealed and not consumed; refusal is justified only where there is a real risk or non-cooperation
  • Transparency protects you
  • Don’t overcharge
  • Be calm, professional, and consistent
  • Follow Cornwall licence conditions

One-Line Summary

Take safe, reasonable routes; use the meter as required; charge fair, agreed fares; refuse only when lawful — and always act professionally.