ply for hire

ply for hire

To seek out or try to engage new customers. Said especially of taxi services. Primarily heard in UK. The city council has introduced new measures to crack down on the number of taxis allowed to stop outside of pubs and theatres plying for hire.
See also: hire, ply
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ply for ˈhire/ˈtrade/ˈbusiness

(British English) look for customers, passengers, etc. in order to do business: There are plenty of taxis plying for hire outside the theatre.
See also: business, hire, ply, trade
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a go (at someone or something)
  • have a go
  • have a go (at someone or something)
  • have a go at
  • have a go at someone
  • bucket of steam
  • new kid on the block
  • a new kid on the block
  • a/the new kid on the block
  • bear something in mind
References in classic literature
All the way up Whitehall there was one long line of taxicabs, unable to ply for hire or find their way to the garages until daylight.
A spokesman for Middlesbrough Council said: "Designated hackney carriage ranks are provided only for licensed taxis enabling them to stand and ply for hire.
Officers from Merseyside's road policing unit, writing on Twitter, said: "A Salford private hire driver was dealt with for attempting to ply for hire at Aintree Races.
"If there is no problem with your vehicles, you aren't allowing people to smoke, you don't ply for hire this will have absolutely no effect.
The accused admitted a second charge of allowing his bus to ply for hire on the Bridge of Allan Road without receiving a permit from the Chief Officer of Police giving him permission to run a service on the route.
Each incident of plying for hire gives rise to two criminal offences of firstly plying for hire in an unlicensed vehicle (in the sense that a private hire vehicle is not licensed to ply for hire as a hackney carriage is) and, secondly, driving without insurance, covering them for thirdparty risks arising from using their vehicle for public hire.
Each incident of plying for hire gives rise to two criminal offences of firstly plying for hire in an unlicensed vehicle (in the sense that a private hire vehicle is not licensed to ply for hire as a hackney carriage is) and secondly, driving without insurance covering them for third party risks arising from using their vehicle for public hire.
And if we are sticking to 100-year-old laws it's also illegal to ply for hire in an hackney carriage without carrying a bale of hay.
"Instead, drivers will be forced to ply for hire near the station, meaning that Network Rail's actions will simply inconvenience passengers by making them walk further to pick up a taxi.
As per the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Act, Section 22 (d) 178 (3) (b), an autorickshaw or a taxi driver refusing to ply for hire invites a penalty of Rs100 and Rs200 (Dh5.93 and Dh11.86) respectively.
Brian Johnson (27.08.71) Legion Grove, Newcastle - Illegal Ply for Hire. Fine PS230, Costs PS339.50, Victim Surcharge PS23.
We categorically do not provide shelter for any driver who may flout the law and illegally ply for hire."
They said they will be forced to "ply for hire" with the changes being brought in, including the loss of ranks in Dublin city centre.
If approved by the full council, it will mean drivers can ply for hire and take their place on ranks anywhere across the county.