Licence summary
Before you can accept private hire bookings for private hire
vehicles you will need to obtain a private hire operator’s licence
from us. The licence issued lasts for three years and is specific
to the person or persons and premises named on the licence.
Private hire operator licences have to be made by the owners of
the company in their own names and are not transferable between
individual persons.
Conditions are attached to licences granted and a
fee is payable before a licence is issued. The conditions
attached to licences form part of the licence and must be complied
with.
If you are applying for a licence to operate from a private hire
booking office you will need to ensure you have
planning
permission from us to allow you to use the premises in this
way. The granting of a private hire operators licence does not deem
planning permission has been authorised by us.
Applications should be made in person at the Licensing Office
and be supported with the following documents:
- Birth certificate or passport
- A CRB Disclosure application form with relevant supporting
information
- A business reference from a bank or similar financial
institution as to the financial standing of the applicant(s)
- Certificate of public liability insurance (where public have
access to premises)
- The licence fee
We have produced
guidance notes to assist persons making an
application for a private hire operator’s licence.
Eligibility criteria
The following criteria must be met before we can issue a private
hire operator’s licence:
- You will need to have undergone an enhanced criminal record
check by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and any convictions
subsequently declared must meet the standards in our
criminal convictions policy.
- Applicants who are disqualified from running a business or have
been declared bankrupt will not be granted a private hire
operator’s licence. This requirement also applies to persons
currently licensed by us.
- We will not grant a private hire operator’s licence with an
operating base outside the authority’s area.
Regulation summary
The main legislation relating to taxi operator’s licences
is:
Application evaluation process
We will check the application made along with the required
supporting documentation. When all are present and in order we will
be able to issue a private hire operator’s licence. Due to the
nature of the checks undertaken with external agencies please allow
at least 6 weeks for a licence to be granted.
Downloadable forms and other documents
Failed application redress
Please contact us in the first instance.
Any applicant who is refused a licence, or refused the renewal
of a licence, may, within 21 days of being notified of the refusal,
appeal to the
local
magistrates' court.
Licence holder redress
Please contact us in the first instance.
A licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition on a
licence can appeal to a
local
magistrates' court within 21 days of being notified of
inclusion of the condition on the licence.
Consumer complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the
first contact is made with the taxi operator by you - preferably in
the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked,
you will need to complete a
complaint form and forward it to the
Licensing Team.
Public registers
Please contact the Licensing Team for more information on the
registers held.
Trade associations
Contact details
For more information contact our
Licensing
Team.
