21/10/2026
Here at 101 we offer a fully licensed and insured taxi service for humans and their pets, alongside solo pet transport.
We have been asked more frequently to price match or lower pricing and have found the quotes are from unlicensed transporters and not a licensed taxi business or even worse scammers!
🚨 BEWARE of an illegal loophole some unlicensed DEFRA Type 2 transporters are using to take passengers with their pets 🚨
Some pet transporters claim: "I'm only charging for the pet, so you can ride along for free legally." This is a dangerous lie. ❌
If you accept this lift, you are travelling illegally and you will not be insured in an accident. Here is the simple truth:
❌ The Loophole: Pet transport insurance only covers animals. "Only charging for the pet" does not change the law—they are simply operating an illegal, unlicensed taxi to cut corners.
⚖️ Council & Driver Licensing: To legally carry human passengers for business, the driver must hold a valid private hire/taxi driver license and either hold a Private Hire Operator License themselves or be actively working under a registered operator licensed with their local council (in addition to having DEFRA Type 2 and EU licenses).
🛡️ Thorough Checks: Legally licensed drivers and operators are thoroughly vetted and background-checked by the council before any license is granted.
💰 Specialist Taxi Insurance: Legally licensed vehicles must carry specialist taxi insurance to cover human injury and liabilities. This specialist commercial cover is expensive because it legally protects passengers both domestically and extends coverage across Europe as well. Standard pet transport insurance will not pay out for human injuries.
‼️ If a customer is hiring them to transport a pet and money changes hands for a business service, it is a commercial transaction. Allowing the owner to ride along "for free" as part of a paid commercial booking means the passenger is a commercial rider, completely voiding standard insurance policies.
👮♂️ Transporters occasionally carry a "guest" or "assistant," but they don't explicitly disclose that they are carrying paying clients across international borders as part of a commercial transport service. In an accident investigation, the insurer will look at the contract and booking details. If they see a customer was in the vehicle, they will invalidate the claim for fraud.
🚖 Look for the Plate: A legal commercial vehicle carrying passengers must display a yellow or white Hackney/Private Hire license plate fixed securely to the rear of the car near the registration plate.
If they don't have this physical plate, they are unlicensed.
💻 Verify Online: You can easily check if a transporter is legally allowed to carry you by looking up both the operator and the driver on their local council's online licensing register.
The Bottom Line: If they do not hold a taxi driver license connected to a valid operator's license with the council, do not get in the vehicle. Don't risk your life or your pet's safety! 🐾🚘
Any questions happy to assist.
https://101petexpress.com/pet-taxi-2/
