Private hire vehicle licence

Journeys in private hire vehicles can only be taken if they are pre-booked directly with a licensed private hire operator. Private hire vehicles cannot pick up directly off the street or ply or stand for hire. 

We do not regulate private hire fares and these should be agreed in advance of a journey starting.

We will only license vehicles with a Euro Emissions 5 Star or higher rating and an NCAP Safety rating of 4 or higher. All existing vehicles have to comply with these standards by 1 January 2024.

Private hire vehicles can be any colour other than white, provided the colour is not bizarre or garish. 

Apply for a private hire vehicle licence

Before buying a vehicle, you should read our vehicle type conditions on page 26 of the taxi licensing policy (PDF) [795KB]  and satisfy yourself that the vehicle meets the criteria. It is your responsibility to ensure the vehicle meets these standards.

You should then contact us on 01257 515151 to arrange a new vehicle inspection and gather the following documents:

• insurance certificate, showing the vehicle is insured for private hire
• V5 logbook. If the full logbook has not yet been received, the V5C (green slip) is acceptable and you should provide the full logbook once received
• if only the V5C has been provided, a bill of sale, invoice or receipt
• HPI check, issued within 1 week of the application and from a council approved provider,
• where the vehicle is for use under a hire agreement, a copy of that hire agreement
• the fee

A vehicle will not be licensed if it is licensed by another council. 

The vehicle should be presented at the appointment where it will be inspected by an authorised officer. As long as the vehicle passes this inspection, you can then submit the application and pay the licence fee. You will be given a unique number at this appointment to book an MOT and Taxi Test Inspection with one of our authorised garages. 

Once the licence has been granted, you will be contacted and informed that the plate and associated documents can be collected from the offices. 

You should read our hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy (PDF) [795KB] for full details of the application process. 

Application forms

Private hire vehicle licence - new application (PDF) [88KB]

Private hire vehicle licence - renewal application (PDF) [81KB]

Vehicle licence fees

Renew a private hire vehicle licence

If you want to renew your licence, you should gather the following documents and contact us by calling 01257 515151 to arrange a vehicle renewal appointment.

• a fully completed application form,
• insurance certificate, which shows the vehicle has been correctly insured for the currency of the previous licence
• V5 logbook
• HPI Check, issued within 1 week of the application and from a council approved provider
• an MOT and Taxi Test Inspection with one of our authorised garages
• the fee.

Once the licence has been granted, you will be contacted and informed that the plate and associated documents can be collected from the offices.