Licence - hackney carriage - taxi

Summary

Licence – private hire and hackney carriage licensingThis Authority is responsible for the licensing of Private Hire Operators, Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers, and Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles. These vehicles must not be adapted to carry more than 8 passengers.

There are applications and guidance documents below, however for a simple step by step guide to obtaining a licence please see the ‘How to apply’ section below.

How to apply for an Operators licence

  1. Complete the New Operators Application Form and pay the appropriate application fee
  2. Complete and pay the fee for a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) application and attach your supporting identification (see CRB guidance booklet). The Licensing Section will certify and submit your application to the CRB on your behalf
  3. Attach your planning permission exemption or consent letter/permission
  4. Present your current driving licence (including photo card where issued)

How to apply for a Private Hire or Hackney Carriage Drivers licence

  1. Book in and pay for a Private Hire or Hackney Carriage Highway Code and Knowledge test at the Council Offices
  2. Book (or show proof that you have passed) the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Private Hire/Hackney Carriage Driving Test (pass certificates can be accepted for up to a year from the date of issue for all new applicants)
  3. Complete and pay for a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) application and attach your supporting identification (see CRB guidance booklet). The Licensing Section will certify and submit your application to the CRB on your behalf
  4. Complete the licence application form in full, attach 2 recent passport size photographs (the photographs must be clear and taken on a light background) and the application fee
  5. Present your current driving licence (including photo card where issued)
  6. Submit your completed medical form issued by your GP
  7. Complete the DVLA mandate

How to apply for a Private Hire or Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence

  1. Make an appointment for their vehicle to be tested at an appointed testing station within the district
  2. Complete the New Vehicle Application Form and pay the appropriate application fee
  3. Supply an original certificate of insurance with their application form (authorising them to use the vehicle for Private Hire and/or Hackney Carriage work)
  4. Supply the original vehicle registration document with their application form
  5. Supply the original pass test sheet with their application form

Downloads

Hackney Carriage support & Private Hire Drivers

Vehicles

Private Hire Operators

Printable forms

Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Drivers

Vehicles

Private Hire Operators

Further information

Driver Licences

Before a licence is granted the applicant must satisfy the Council that:

  • He/she is a fit and proper person to hold a licence;
  • He/she is medically fit;
  • He/she has held a full UK/EU driver's licence (not a provisional licence) granted to the applicant authorising him/her to drive a motor car for at least twelve months prior to the date of the application;
  • A Criminal Records Disclosure (CRB) is required on application.
  • A certificate to show the applicant has passed the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Taxi/Private Hire Drivers Test (test to be booked directly with the DSA)
  • The applicant has passed the Licensing Authority's Highway Code and Knowledge Test (test to be booked directly with the Licensing Section)

Once the application form has been completed, you should attend the Council offices with the following;

  • the completed application form
  • completed CRB form & supporting documents
  • your DVLA Driving Licence (original - not a photocopy) showing your current address (if you have a photo card you will need to produce both parts of the licence)
  • medical certificate
  • 2 colour passport type photographs (accepted at the discretion of the licensing team)
  • fee

Please be aware that the application process normally takes 6 - 10 weeks from receipt of your application for return of the CRB and other checks.

We look forward to receiving your application and if you have any difficulty with any of the forms or have any questions, please contact a member of the licensing team.

Types of private hire/hackney vehicle licences

There are two types of licence:

  • public hire vehicles (hackney carriages), and;
  • vehicles which are only available by prior booking (private hire vehicles).

The description ‘taxi’ should only be used for a hackney carriage - any hire vehicle is usually known as a ‘taxi’ by the public.

What's the difference between a hackney carriage and a private hire vehicle?

Hackney carriages

A licensed hackney carriage may ply for hire from an appointed hackney carriage stand in the district (there are currently no stands in Blaby District) in which it is licensed, or may be hailed in a street in the district, or take advanced bookings.

Private hire vehicles

A licensed private hire vehicle may only take on journeys in response to advance bookings. The charges for journeys are not subject to district council control, and should be agreed with the clients prior to the journey.

The operator of the vehicle must also either hold a private hire operators licence or be linked to a licensed operator within the district.

Private Hire Vehicles licensed by the Council must display a yellow plate on the rear exterior. Private Hire drivers must also wear, in a prominent position, an ID badge issued by the Council which includes his/her photograph and the licence expiry date.

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 that the Licensing Authorities cannot limit the number of vehicle licences and must grant a vehicle licence if we are satisfied that:

  1. A vehicle is suitable in type, size and design for use as a private hire vehicle (see technical specifications).
  2. The vehicle does not look like a taxi.
  3. The vehicle is mechanically suitable. The mechanical condition is to be conformed by a detailed inspection undertaken at the expense of the proprietor by an appointed testing station. The inspection report is to be completed and signed by the fitter who carried out the inspection and his/her signature and qualifications are to be authenticated by the addition of the name and address of the garage by means of business rubber stamp. In the case of a recently acquired vehicle a report from the garage which sold the car will not be accepted.
  4. The vehicle is insured for private hire work.
  5. The vehicle is constructed and adapted to seat no more than 8 passengers.
  6. The licence holder is responsible for the keeping and running of the vehicle either solely or in partnership with other persons.
  7. The applicant must be honest in supplying information to the Licensing Authority and must not, under any circumstances, make a false statement at any time to obtain your vehicle licence. This is a serious offence.

Technical specifications for private hire vehicles

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.

The specifications we apply to vehicles are as follows:

  1. That your vehicle is in an immaculate condition both mechanically and cosmetically. Age limit (condition 6 of licensing conditions - 5 years for cars, 8 years for MPV's)
  2. That your vehicle (if a car) has a minimum of 4 doors giving adequate access and egress from the vehicle. The design of the car can be saloon, hatchback or estate.
  3. The vehicle must contain a first aid kit and the boot area must be clean and tidy.
  4. A seat belt notice is to be displayed inside the vehicle.
  5. The licence shall be displayed as per the conditions of licence.

Private Hire Operators

One person can be licensed and employ/sub-contract an unlimited number of licensed vehicles. A licensed private hire driver cannot accept any bookings unless he either holds or works for a licensed private hire operator. An operator may pass a booking to another licensed private hire vehicle operator provided that the operator is also licensed by the Council.

Members of the public have initial contact with the operator and make the contract with them even if the operator does not provide the vehicle and/or the driver.

Before an operator’s licence is granted the applicant must obtain planning permission.

If you are a vehicle proprietor you may work for any existing Operator. However, if you wish to apply for your own licence to operate from premises which will be used as a booking office, you need to obtain Planning Permission from the Council allowing use of the building.

A Certificate of Public Liability Insurance is required where the public have access to the premises i.e. waiting room etc. Anyone applying for an Operators Licence who is not currently a vehicle proprietor or licensed Private Hire Driver needs to have a Criminal Records Disclosure (CRB) carried out.

The licensing process

Before any vehicle is licensed it is tested at a designated vehicle workshop. The test covers the vehicle's mechanics, general appearance and comfort for passengers.

We are also responsible for the licensing of the drivers of both classes of vehicle. We must make sure that all drivers are ‘fit and proper persons’ to be licensed so checks on an applicant’s background are made with a CRB and a knowledge and highway code test are carried out.

Criminal records & enforcement

As part of making sure a driver is a, ‘fit and proper person’ we carry out criminal records checks. For more information, visit the Criminal Records Bureau website.

We also have a responsibility as the 'Enforcement Agency' of the drivers and vehicles we have licensed. Enforcement covers criminal offences related to ‘taxi’ legislation, the condition of the vehicles and the investigation of complaints made by the public against a licence holder.

Suspending & revoking licenses

As well as granting and issuing licences the licensing authority has the power to suspend or revoke licences, and take court action if necessary against any offending licence holder.

Licensing and enforcement is carried out by Council-appointed Authorised Officers for that purpose, and they have been given written authority to do so, as well as having a Council identity badge.

External websites

Contact us

Officer / Team Licensing Section
Postal address Blaby District Council
Council Offices
Desford Road
Narborough
Leicester
LE19 2EP
E-mail address licensing@blaby.gov.uk
Telephone 0116 272 7783
Fax 0116 272 7596

If you need this information in other languages or formats (large print, Braille or audio), please let us know when you contact us.

This page was last updated on 1st July 2010

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