Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Vehicle Licences
A hackney carriage (also called a taxi) is a type of vehicle licensed by the local authority to carry up to eight passengers.
A private hire vehicle (sometimes called a minicab) is another type of vehicle also licensed to carry up to eight passengers.
A taxi can ply for hire from a rank or be hailed in the street, but a private hire vehicle must be pre-booked through a private hire operator.
This council issues joint hackney carriage and private hire driver's licences.
If you are thinking of getting a vehicle licensed, it must fit one of these specifications:
Hackney carriages licensed by the council must be wheelchair accessible and here is the list of designated wheelchair accessible vehicles:
You MUST also be aware of the law regarding the carriage of assistance dogs and the document can be found here:
In order to get a vehicle licensed, a driver must complete one of these application forms:
- HCV application for a hackney carriage (taxi)
or
- PHV application for a private hire vehicle
The driver must have the vehicle MOT tested at one of the council's approved garages listed here:
and take one of these check forms to the garage:
so that it can be completed when the vehicle is tested.
When attending the council, the driver must produce the full vehicle registration document (V5) in his/her name, the MOT certificate and garage test sheet, and a valid certificate of insurance. The insurance must cover public hire use if it's for a taxi and private hire use (not public hire) if it's for a private hire vehicle.
The council does not issue a licence for the first time to any vehicle over six years of age.
For the latest copy of the Taxi Newsletter, click here: