Taxi Licensing

Guidelines on Application Process Timeframes

Applicants are required to submit their application, supporting documentation and pay the fee for new drivers, driver renewals, new vehicles, vehicle renewals, new operators and operator renewals, in line with the following timeframes:-

Driver applications - 6 weeks before the licence is needed or due to expire;- 6 weeks is from when all required documentation is received.

Vehicle applications - 4 weeks before the licence is needed or due to expire; 4 weeks is from when all required documentation is received.

Operator applications - 6 weeks before the licence is needed or due to expire; 6 weeks is from when all documentation is received.

For Example- if you submit an application but fail to provide payment and fail to supply all supporting documentation, your application will not be processed within the above time frame. Only when we have all requirements of the application process, can the application be determined and processed within the above time frame.

Please note that the issue of new or renewal licences may be delayed if submitted later than set out above.

We will only accept completed applications, with all relevant documentation and/or information attached as required and the fee paid in full.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all aspects and requirements for the applications are complete.

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire (Taxi) Policy

View our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. (PDF, 678 KB)(opens new window)

Having previously approved the adoption of the Department of Transport's Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards, the Licensing Committee have now formally approved their inclusion in the Council's Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy, which comes into effect immediately from the adoption date of 1 November 2023.  The Statutory Standards focus on the protection of children and vulnerable adults, although they benefit all passengers.  The Council have been requiring that the majority of the standards be met by applicants since they were originally approved, however the policy now brings into place those standards still to be implemented.  Applicants should therefore make their applications with the policy requirements in mind and existing licence holders should familiarise themselves with the new policy.

Although approved, the requirement for an English Assessment for new applicants, set out on pages 19/20,  won't come into force until the Council have the necessary arrangements in place to undertake these.  As soon as the arrangements have been agreed and put in place, this page will be updated to include relevant details.

Tax Checks for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers and Private Hire Operators

HMRC requires a  tax check that will take place when people renew their licences to drive hackney carriages, drive and operate private hire vehicles. 

This service has been created so that everyone pays the tax they should. HMRC is working with industry bodies to make this as straightforward as possible. The check should take a few minutes to complete to confirm that someone is correctly registered for tax.

You will need to complete a tax check when you apply or renew your licence as a:

·     driver of a taxi (hackney carriage) (dual licences)

·     driver of a private hire vehicle (dual licences)

·     private hire vehicle operator

Please read this tax check factsheet to understand what is required, as this will apply to all renewals and new applicants. 

Find further information at Guidance on how to complete a tax check for a hackney carriage or private hire licence.

Approved garages

View the list of approved local garages (PDF, 15 KB)(opens new window).

If you require further information, or wish to make a complaint about a taxi vehicle, driver or operator, please get touch using our general licensing enquiry service.