You need a licence to use a vehicle as a private hire vehicle.
Private hire vehicles are licensed to carry out pre-booked work that has been obtained through a private hire operator.
Renew your licence
When renewing your licence, the vehicle must be less than 12 years old.
Complete the application form and return it to the Licensing Team by email - you can also post application forms to us.
You must include the following with the completed form:
- application fee
- a copy of your insurance certificate
- a basic DBS check for every proprietor or company director
Click here to renew your licence online
Apply for a new licence
When applying for a new licence, vehicles must be less than 6 years old and can be any colour other than white.
For a full list of the acceptable specification, refer to the Licensing Policy (see below).
Complete the application form and return it to the Licensing Team by email - you can also post application forms to us.
You must include the following with the completed form:
- application fee
- a copy of your insurance certificate
- a basic DBS check for every proprietor or company director
- Log book or 'new keeper supplement' (or bill of sale)
Click here to apply for a new licence online
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 application - £323
- Renewal application - £303
- Transfer of application - £57
- Change of plate - £57
- Replacement door sign - £10 for one
- Replacement door signs - £15 for a pair
- Replacement stickers - £1 each (add £4.50 delivery unless ordering with a renewal application)
- Vehicle tests (fail to attend, retest, full fails) - £66
Basic DBS check
All proprietors are required to produce an annual Basic DBS disclosure unless they are currently licensed as a taxi driver or a private hire operator.
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.
Vehicle inspections
The vehicle must be inspected by the Council's nominated testing centre before a licence is granted and again within 6 months of a licence being granted.
On receipt of an application from you, we will schedule both tests and you will receive confirmation of the test dates.
If you fail to attend any inspection, or fail to give us 48 hours notice of a cancellation, you will be required to pay for a new test.
Insurance
Your vehicle must be insured to carry out private hire work at all times and you are required to provide evidence of valid insurance with each application on request by a licensing officer.
Log book
When applying for a new vehicle, you are required to provide a copy of your vehicle registration document (log book). The log book should be in the name of the proprietor of the vehicle.
If you have not received the log book in your name, we will accept a 'new keeper supplement' or other proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale or invoice. You will need to provide the log book as soon as you receive it.
Plates, signs and door signs
You will be issued with a rear and front plate, door signs and a complaints sticker which must be displayed in or on the vehicle at all times.
Replacements can be ordered for a fee by contacting the team by email.
You can apply for an exemption from displaying the plates depending on the nature of work you intend to carry out.
Contact the team to request an exemption - you may need to provide documentary evidence of the nature of work you intend to carry out (for example, booking records or copies of contracts).
Transfer of ownership
If you transfers your interest in a vehicle to somebody else, you must give notice of the transfer in writing to us within 14 days by completing the 'Notice of transfer' form.