Taxi and private hire licence

An introduction to taxi licensing

The Council is responsible for licensing hackney carriages (taxis) and private hire vehicles, operators and drivers who work within this district. The purpose of licensing is to safeguard the travelling public by ensuring that vehicles are safe, reliable and comfortable; operators are efficient and that drivers are fit and proper to transport fare paying customers.

There are two types of vehicles licensed by the Council:

• Hackney carriages (taxis)
• Private hire vehicles

Hackney carriages

These are either purpose built 'London style' cabs or Euro style vehicles, such as a Peugeot E7 or Volkswagen Transporter - these vehicles are different from private hire vehicles as they are all wheel chair accessible.

A hackney carriage has a distinctive white license plate fixed to the rear of the vehicle stating that it is a hackney carriage, vehicle registration number, licence number and the maximum number of passengers that the vehicle is licensed to carry at any one time. It also has a distinctive front facing sign built into the front aspect of the roof of the vehicle. When lit it illuminates the word ‘Taxi’ indicating that it the vehicle is available for hire.

A hackney carriage can operate from the numerous taxi ranks located throughout the city or can be 'flagged down' in the street.

Private hire vehicles

These are usually a saloon type vehicle but may also, for example, be a minibus with up to eight passenger seats. A private hire vehicle has a yellow plate on the back stating that it is a private hire vehicle, vehicle registration number, licence number and the maximum number of passengers that the vehicle is licensed to carry at any one time.

A private hire vehicle can only accept a fare if it has been pre-booked through a licensed Private Hire Operator.

A private hire vehicle cannot use a taxi rank or be flagged down in the street.

Both types of vehicle can only be driven by a licensed driver who when working must wear his badge where it can easily be seen by members of the public.

It is very important for passenger safety that members of the public do not get into any vehicle that they think is not a licensed hackney carriage (taxi) or a pre-booked private hire vehicle. For a private hire booking the driver will already know your name as part of the booking arrangement. If the driver does not know the passenger name this must be viewed with suspicion and we strongly advise not to get into the vehicle and if possible note the registration number and licence number and report the incident to the Taxi Licensing Office.

Licensing Section

The Taxi Licensing Office is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of taxi and private hire matters and deals with all applications for hackney carriage and private hire licences including drivers, vehicles and operators. The office also deals with complaints and enforcement in relation to hackney carriage and private hire matters.

If you wish to discuss any other matters relating to licensing of hackney carriage or private hire vehicles please contact us.

Public Register

Taxi and private hire trades online register privacy policy [65KB]

Information about Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers that are licensed by the Council are available to view on our licensing register page.

Applying for a taxi driving licence

All the information, guidance notes and application forms required can be found on our driving licence application page.

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