Passengers in Edinburgh are being urged to stay vigilant as the local taxi trade rolls out a powerful new safety campaign: “If it’s not booked, don’t get in.
”The initiative, highlighted by Keith Auld, aims to raise awareness about the risks of stepping into un-booked vehicles.
Backed by key industry players including Unite the Union and the Association of Hackney Carriage Drivers of the City of Edinburgh, the campaign also has strong support from trusted operators like City Cabs and Central Radio Taxis all working together to keep passengers safe and informed.
Why the campaign has been launched
According to the trade bodies behind the campaign, the move comes in response to troubling reports of illegal pick-ups, overcharging, and, in some cases, women facing sexual assault or deeply distressing situations.
These incidents have intensified concerns about the risks passengers face when stepping into vehicles that haven’t been properly booked through a licensed operator highlighting a gap in awareness that the campaign aims to close.
In Edinburgh, passenger safety has always been a cornerstone of the licensed taxi profession. But with recent reports painting a worrying picture, the trade is now stepping up taking a more visible, proactive stance to ensure the public stays informed, alert, and protected.
Understanding the legal difference
As part of the campaign, eye-catching visuals are being shared across social media to clearly break down the legal and safety differences between taxis and private hire vehicles helping passengers make safer, more informed choices.
Licensed hackney carriages (taxis):
- Can be hailed on the street
- Can wait at taxi ranks
- Are insured for immediate hire
- Display a lit “TAXI” roof sign
- Are licensed and regulated by the local authority
Private hire vehicles:
- Must be pre-booked through a licensed operator
- Cannot accept street hails
- Cannot legally pick up passengers without a confirmed booking
- May not be properly insured if operating without a pre-booking
The takeaway is clear: in Edinburgh, if a private hire vehicle hasn’t been booked through a licensed operator, it’s not just unsafe, it’s operating outside the law.
“No booking = do not get in”
The campaign delivers a stark warning: stepping into an un-booked vehicle is no different from getting into a stranger’s car.
To drive the message home, trade representatives are using social media and shareable graphics spreading the word far and wide to reach both residents and visitors across Edinburgh.
At the heart of the campaign is one clear, uncompromising message: No pre-booking = do not get in.
