Get Home Safely: Taxi Top Tips

Texting your friends to let you know you’re in safe, planning your journey and not walking alone, we all adapt your nights out to make sure we get home safely and booking your taxi shouldn’t be an exception.

Whether you’re coming home from the Sphinx, heading to your next destination or ready for bed after a long night at work, here are our top tips for using taxis across the city safely.

Uber-safe

Always check that the driver knows your name and destination before you get in to the vehicle. All private hire taxis must be pre-booked before you travel, if you don’t have a booking the vehicle is not insured to take you. Never get into a private hire vehicle you haven’t booked!

Are you there yet?

Make sure to check the vehicle has a valid plate, for private hire this will be a red and white number plate attached to the near of the vehicle. Take note of the number and let your friend, family member or trusted person know the details of the vehicle and update on your journey. Always travel with friends where you can.

Passenger Rights

The driver must take you by the shortest route unless you request a preferred route. They must not allow other passengers to share the vehicle without your consent. Be on the safe side, you can ask to view the drivers badges before entering the vehicle.

Getting you from A to B: University Chaperone

The campus support time offers a 24-hour, seven day a week chaperone service, escorting you around campus to make sure you feel safe. Request the service by calling 0151 794 3252

Black Cab vs Private Hire: Know the Difference

Black Cabs (Liverpool Hackney Carriage Vehicles)

  • Liverpool Hackney Carriage Vehicles display the word TAXI on the vehicle
  • All taxis will have a yellow number plate on the front and the rear of the vehicle
  • The number plate number should also be displayed on the inside of the vehicle
  • Black Cabs can be hailed in the street when the orange TAXI light is on
  • Black Cabs can also be hired from a taxi rank or booked in advance

Private Hire Vehicles

  • They can be recognised by a red & white number plate attached to the rear of the vehicle
  • They should have door signs which display the name of the vehicle operator
  • All private hire vehicles must be pre-booked before you travel, via an app, phone or website
  • Always check with the driver that they know your name and destination
  • It is important to remember, if you do not have a booking, that vehicle is not insured to take you and could potentially be dangerous

You can find the nearest Taxi Ranks here - Taxi stands - Liverpool City Council

Nightbus

The N1 service operated by Stagecoach runs throughout the night every Thursday, Friday and Saturday on the hour to help you get home safely from a night out. Find out more about the service here.

Help is here:

Whilst we hope that you your time in the city and on campus goes smoothly, if you need extra support in the city or on campus, we are here to help!

Guild Advice:

Our Advice Team offer free and confidential advice to all University of Liverpool students. We are independent from the University and here to support you, offering non-judgmental advice and guidance so you can make an informed decision about the options available to you. get in touch with guildadvice@liv.ac.uk to book an appointment. 

University Wellbeing Advice and Guidance: 

The team provide confidential, non-judgemental one-to-one support, information, advice and guidance to students and staff. Find out more here: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/studentsupport/mental-wellbeing/wellbeing-advice/

Report and Support:

You can report any incidents that take place on campus or across the city using the University’s report and support service. Find out more: https://reportandsupport.liverpool.ac.uk/

If an incident, such as spiking, takes place in a venue in the city you can report the venue to the council and to the police if you would like to.

Report to the council

Report to the police.

We all deserve a safe night out!