Taxi and private hire complaints

To submit a comment or compliment select ‘licensing’ and ‘taxis’ for both Hackney Carriage and Private Hire comments.

Submit a complaint

You will be asked to register the first time you use the system.

Licensing officers working for Colchester City Council do not have the authority to enforce against other local authority licensed vehicles, drivers nor operator licenses.

Complaints about other local authority drivers or cars must be lodged with the local authority which licences them, for example for Wolverhampton use their online complaint form.

The Licensing Authority does not have the power to enforce:

• parking infringements such as parking on double yellow lines or double parking - for parking infringements contact the Parking Enforcement Services Unit or call on 01206 282316
• obstructions on the public highway, including parking too near road junctions - for obstruction infringements contact Essex Police
• traffic offences such as using a hand-held mobile phone while driving, road rage, careless or dangerous driving - for traffic offences contact Essex Police
• criminal offences such as assault, threats, harassment, theft of mobile phone, or indecency - for criminal offences contact Essex Police

We can investigate issues relating to:

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

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

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