Taxi and private hire complaints

Let us know if you have a complaint or a compliment for a licenced driver or private hire operator.

You will need to register the first time you use the complaints system.

Licensing officers at Colchester City Council can only investigate vehicles, drivers and operators licensed by Colchester City Council.

We cannot investigate complaints about vehicles, drivers or operators licensed by another local authority. These complaints must be made to the council that issued the licence.

For example, if the driver or vehicle is licensed by Wolverhampton City Council, you must use their online complaint form.

Submit a taxi or private hire complaint

To submit a comment or compliment, select ‘Licensing’ and ‘Taxis’. This applies to both hackney carriage and private hire services.

Issues we cannot investigate

The licensing authority does not have powers to enforce the following:

  • parking offences, such as parking on double yellow lines or double parking 
    Contact Parking Enforcement Services on 01206 282316.
  • obstructions on the public highway, including parking too close to junctions 
    Contact Essex Police.
  • traffic offences, such as using a hand-held mobile phone, careless or dangerous driving 
    Contact Essex Police.
  • criminal offences, including assault, threats, harassment, theft or indecent behaviour 
    Contact Essex Police.

Issues we can investigate

We can investigate complaints about:

  • overcharging
  • refusing to carry assistance dogs
  • incorrect use of meters
  • drivers taking an unnecessarily long route
  • refusing to carry passengers without good reason
  • vehicle defects, including cleanliness
  • safeguarding concerns
  • equality and diversity issues
  • inappropriate behaviour
  • drivers smoking in licensed vehicles

Lost property

If you have lost property in a private hire vehicle, contact the private hire operator directly.

If you have lost property in a hackney carriage (taxi), contact the Colchester Hackney Carriage Association.