Private Hire Drivers Licence

Private Hire Drivers Licence Application Form  (16.16 KB)

Explanatory Notes

This  guide has been written to advise and assist both new applicants and current licence holders on the laws which affect the operation of Private Hire/Hackney Carriages and also how to apply for the various licences.

Callers to the Taxi Licensing Section will not normally be seen by Licensing Staff without an appointment. This guide is not exhaustive and, if you are in any doubt please refer directly to the legislation governing the licensing of Private Hire/Hackney Carriages namely:-

Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (as amended by the Town Police Clauses Act 1889, and applied by the Public Health Act 1875)

Local Government (miscellaneous provisions) Act 1976

If you require more detailed information than within the following pages please contact the Licensing Department directly on (01527) 534100.

Hackney Carriage Vehicle

NEW Vehicle owners/Proprietors are advised to check that their vehicles conform to the Councils specifications before commencing the following procedures. Such licences are only issued to new vehicles which are WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE and which have EUROPEAN M TYPE APPROVAL.

Each vehicle will be required to have an authorised roof sign and taxi meter which will be required to display the Councils tariff. The meters calibration will be checked prior to a licence being issued.

Renewals: - Each vehicle must pass a vehicle safety examination. The garages listed below are authorised to undertake this procedure: -

Abacus Auto Services (01527) 60047 Hogan Brothers (01527) 520665 Crossgates (01527) 534092

Once this has been done an application form must be completed and submitted, along with the following documents and the appropriate fee. To do this you would need to contact the Town Hall, Taxi Licensing Department to make an appointment.

The documents you will need are: -

• Vehicle Registration Document (or part of)
• M.O.T.
• Insurance – which must state for hire and reward
• The vehicle safety examination pass form (from the garage).
• Application form and proprietorship statement form, which you may download.

If the vehicle is replacing a vehicle already licensed with the Council the procedure is the same.