Private hire operators

All private hire vehicles must be pre-booked with a private hire operator.

No ​person or company may accept private hire vehicle bookings without first obtaining a private hire operator licence.​

Renew your licence

Complete the private hire operators renewal form below and return it to the  Licensing Team by email to LicensingAdmin@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or by post to Redcar & Cleveland House, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar TS10 1RT.

You must include the following with the completed form:

  • application fee
  • a basic DBS check for every proprietor or company director​

Apply for a new licence​

Complete the private hire operators new licence form below and return it to the  Licensing Team by email to LicensingAdmin@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or by post to Redcar & Cleveland House, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar TS10 1RT.

The following must be submitted with your application form:

  • application fee
  • a basic DBS check for every proprietor or company director​
  • evidence of right to work in the UK
  • a copy of your policy on assessing the suitability of booking and dispatch staff

Fees and charges

You can make a licensing payment on the Council's payments page​, please select Licensing from the payment types. Your reference is your vehicle number beginning with PHV.

Alternatively, payments can be made by telephone on 01642 774774 (select option 4 to speak to a Customer Services representative).​

  • New and renewal application (1 year) - £231
  • New and renewal application (5 years) - £1025

Tax checks

Licensing authorities must carry out certain checks on licensed drivers and operators to make sure they are aware of their tax responsibilities or have completed a tax check.

You’ll need to complete a tax check with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) every time you renew your licence to confirm that you’re registered for tax where necessary.

After you complete the tax check you’ll be given a code to provide to the licensing authority. We will not be able to process your renewal application without it.

Further details will be provided in your next renewal reminder but you can find more information on the GOV.UK website about tax compliance.

Basic D​BS check

All operators are required to produce an annual Basic DBS disclosure unless they are currently licensed as a taxi driver. In the case of a company or partnership, a basic disclosure must be provided by all directors or partners. You can request a Basic DBS check on the GOV.UK website​.

Knowledge test

​All new applicants​​ are required to successfully complete a knowledge test.

You are advised to study the 'Hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy before contacting the team to book a test.​​

Booking and dispatch staff

​Operators must formulate a policy on assessing the suitability of any person taking bookings and dispatching vehicles on their behalf. The policy must:

  • require all booking and dispatch staff to provide a basic DBS disclosure (unless they are a licensed taxi driver), and
  • outline the standards against which any prospective employee will be considered in relation to criminal convictions

The operator must keep a record of the above assessment.

A template policy and assessment form has been provided in the Council's Licensing Policy. The templates have 

been produced only as a guide and therefore operators are not obligated to adopt these documents in their existing state. 

Ultimately, it is the operator’s responsibility to set and uphold appropriate standards in relation to staff undertaking booking and dispatch duties.