Private hire vehicle licence
You can only accept pre-booked fares if you operate as a Private hire vehicle. These bookings must be made through an operator with a Private hire operators licence.
We must issue the Private hire vehicle licence and the he operator's licence if you want to operate a Private hire vehicle in our district.
There are no circumstances in which the driver of a Private hire vehicle can accept a fare other than pre-booking.
It is an offence to accept a fares other than pre-booking. The driver will still be committing an offence if they have a licence to drive a Hackney carriage vehicle.
Apply for a Private hire vehicle licence
To apply you need to submit:
- a completed Private Hire Vehicle application form
- the original insurance certificate showing proof of current insurance cover which must include cover for private hire and reward
- a valid M.O.T certificate if the vehicle needs one
- the original V5C Vehicle Registration Certificate
- the correct fee
Any vehicle you want to licences as a hackney carriage, vehicle must also comply with all relevant licensing and pre-licensing conditions.
If you are licensing a vehicles presented for the first time it must be:
- less than five years old or
- less than eight years old if it is a wheelchair accessible vehicle
Vehicle inspection
Your vehicle will need to have a mechanical inspection.
Your vehicle will also need to have a mechanical inspection six months from the date owe issue the licence.
Issuing your licence
We will issue a paper licence for the vehicle and a set of plates and livery which you must display on and in the vehicle. Thie set of plates includes:
- a front plate
- a back plate
- an internal plate
- two door stickers
A Private Hire Vehicle licence is valid for one year from the date of issue. You will need to renew the licence each year.
