Private Hire Vehicles Licence

You are here: Private Hire Vehicles Licence

Private Hire Vehicles cannot ply for hire in the street or at taxi ranks. Journeys must be pre-booked, normally by phone or in person at a cab office. Failure to do so is an offence and invalidates the vehicle's insurance cover.

Fares for private hire vehicles are not regulated by the Council - the cost of a journey will normally be based on a rate per mile or should be agreed with the company before the journey.

Private Hire Vehicles licensed by the Council must display a yellow plate on the rear and a smaller internal plate. They must also display a yellow sign on each side of the vehicle. Roof signs are not permitted. Private Hire drivers must also wear an ID badge issued by the Council, which includes his/her photograph.

There are many different laws affecting proprietors and vehicles but the main Acts of Parliament covering the licensing of Private Hire Vehicles are contained in Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

This Act says we cannot limit the number of vehicle licences and must grant a vehicle licence if we are satisfied that:

Your car is suitable in type, size and design for use as a private hire vehicle (see technical specifications).
Your car does not look like a taxi.
Your car is mechanically suitable. The mechanical condition is to be conformed by a detailed inspection undertaken at the expense of the proprietor by a suitable garage or other vehicle maintenance business. The inspection report is to be completed and signed by the fitter who carried out the inspection. In the case of a recently acquired vehicle a report from the garage which sold the car will not be accepted.
Your car is insured for private hire work.
Your car is constructed and adapted to seat no more than 8 passengers.
You are responsible for the keeping and running of the vehicle either solely or in partnership with other persons.
You have been honest in supplying information to us and must not, under any circumstances, make a false statement at any time to obtain your vehicle licence. This is a serious offence.

There are many different makes and styles of vehicle on the road today. Not all vehicles would be suitable for use as a private hire vehicle and the Council has therefore approved certain standards to guide proprietors on the type of vehicle considered suitable bearing in mind public comfort, safety and the legal requirements previously mentioned.

For a valid application you must submit the following:

The vehicle registration document;
A valid MOT certificate (if applicable);
Satisfactory evidence of insurance (with a minimum cover of £250,000 for passengers carried for hire or reward);
A certificate of roadworthiness;
the Licence fee of £130.00

The duration of a vehicle licence depends on the age of the vehicle. For more information see our application form and licence conditions.

Further Information

A copy of the relevant legislation can be viewed at the Council Offices where you can also obtain an application form, information pack and a copy of our standard conditions. You can download a copy of the Specification for private hire vehicles (pdf).

Alternatively, to download an Application Form and Conditions for Private Hire Vehicle Licence (pdf). If you want to transfer ownership of a vehicle download an application form (pdf).

For further information contact licensing@southnorthants.gov.uk

For more information please contact:

name: Licensing Team
Telephone: 0845 2300226
Email: info@southnorthants.gov.uk

MAIN LINKS

MAIN MENU

You are here: Private Hire Vehicles Licence

Private Hire Vehicles Licence

Further Information

SECTION LINKS