Will I get a replacement taxi after a non-fault accident?

Yes. If the accident was not your fault you are entitled to a like-for-like plated replacement at no upfront cost, recovered from the at-fault driver's insurer.

Do I have to pay for a replacement taxi?

Not upfront when the accident was not your fault. There is no excess and no deposit, and PurpleSquare Hire claims the charges from the at-fault insurer. There are limited cases where you could become liable, which we explain before you sign.

Will the replacement be plated for my council?

Where we can source a vehicle licensed for your authority, yes. Plating rules differ between councils, so we confirm before delivery. We handle hackney, private hire, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and we supply out-of-area drivers such as Wolverhampton-plated drivers.

Do I need to tell my licensing authority about the accident?

Check your licence conditions. Each licensing authority sets its own rules on reporting accidents involving licensed vehicles, and some require an inspection before the vehicle returns to service. The deadline varies by authority, so we do not quote a single one.

Replacement Taxi After an Accident

Q: How fast can you deliver a replacement taxi?

Across all vehicle types, our average delivery time from notification of claim was 6 hours over the six months to September 2026. Plated vehicles depend on your licensing authority and can take longer, so call us and we will confirm timing for your plate.

Q: What if the accident was my fault?

Credit hire only applies to non-fault accidents, but we can still supply a plated replacement on a direct, self-pay basis on agreed terms. Call us and we will explain the options.

Will I get a replacement taxi after an accident?

Yes, if the accident was not your fault. You are entitled to a like-for-like licensed replacement so you can keep working while your own vehicle is repaired or replaced. Call PurpleSquare Hire and we will source a plated vehicle that complies with your licensing authority, with nothing to pay upfront.

What happens if the accident was not my fault?

You go down the credit hire route. We supply the plated replacement, you sign a credit hire agreement, and we recover the charges from the at-fault driver's insurer. There is no upfront cost, no excess, and no deposit to find. Because the claim runs against the other driver's insurer rather than your own policy, your no-claims discount is protected where liability is clear. The full detail on cost sits on our will I have to pay page.

What if the accident was my fault, or my taxi broke down?

Credit hire only applies when someone else was to blame. If the accident was your fault, or the vehicle is off the road for a breakdown or a mechanical issue, we can still supply a plated replacement on a direct, self-pay basis on agreed terms. Call us and we will set out the options plainly.

How quickly can you deliver a replacement taxi?

Our average delivery time across all vehicle types was 6 hours from notification of claim over the six months to September 2026. Plated vehicles depend on your licensing authority and can take longer. We move at the pace your income demands and hold specialist plated stock, because we know a taxi standing still is money lost. We will not put you in a vehicle that breaches your licence just to move fast, so the exact timing depends on your authority and vehicle type. Tell us your plate and we will be straight with you about timing.

Will the replacement be plated for my licensing authority?

Where we can source one, yes. Any vehicle we place is licensed and insured for hire and reward, and matched to your council or licensing authority's requirements. We handle hackney carriage, private hire, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and we regularly supply drivers plated out of area, including Wolverhampton-plated drivers working elsewhere. Tell us your authority and plate number at the first call. If we cannot place a compliant vehicle for your authority we will say so straight away, and that record supports a loss of earnings claim.

I drive for Uber or as a PHV driver, can you still help?

Yes. Private hire and app-based drivers are entitled to a like-for-like replacement after a non-fault accident just like any other licensed driver. We match the replacement to your licensing conditions so you can carry on accepting jobs while your own vehicle is off the road.

How long can I keep the replacement taxi?

For the reasonable period of repair. We keep you updated and confirm the hire end date.

If your vehicle is written off, we confirm the applicable hire end date with you. Where the GTA applies and the credit hire organisation (CHO) is dealing with a non-roadworthy vehicle, its total-loss table allows 5 working days from payment received to off hire. The overall limit is 14 working days when the CHO raises and sends the pre-accident valuation (PAV), or 10 working days plus the insurer's PAV release time when the case is forwarded to the at-fault insurer. These are GTA claim-handling periods, not a guarantee of hire until you accept a settlement. Other cases depend on the applicable terms and reasonable need.

Source: GTA General Terms of Agreement, 16 March 2026, total-loss periods table, CHO dealing not-roadworthy rows. The table does not require the CHO to raise the PAV.

What should I do right now?

Call us before you arrange anything else. Stay safe, swap details with the other driver, photograph the scene, and then get us on the phone so we can start straight away. Have your licensing authority and plate number, your driving licence, and basic accident details to hand. Licensing authorities set their own rules on reporting an accident involving a licensed vehicle, and some require the vehicle to be inspected before it returns to service, so check your licence conditions or your council's taxi and private hire policy. You can see exactly what to expect when you call us, and our specialist taxi service page has more on the fleet.