Apply for a new hackney carriage or private hire licence

Apply for a new hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licence

You need to hold a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licence to use your vehicle as a hackney carriage or for private hire. 

On issuing a vehicle licence, you will receive vehicle plates within 17 to 25 days.

These plates are valid for one year.

Before you apply

Ensure your vehicle complies with our current hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy. 

Once validated, you will be authorised to have your vehicle undergo an MOT at one of the approved centres below.

You will need to take your vehicle for a test at one of our approved MOT centres:

After passing the MOT, upload the signed certificate via the contact licensing form.

Approved applications will receive an email confirming collection.

When you apply, you will need to:

  • provide details about you and your vehicle
  • pass a basic DBS check (vehicles licensed by insurance companies or applicants already licensed by the authority must hold an enhanced DBS and do not need to provide a current basic DBS disclosure)
  • pay a fee by debit or credit card
  • upload a copy of your vehicle log book (V5) or proof of ownership
  • upload a copy of your full vehicle insurance certificate to cover public hire use for hackney carriage or private hire use, or both

Apply for a hackney carriage vehicle licence

When you apply, you will need to:

  • provide details about you and your vehicle
  • pass a basic DBS check (vehicles licensed by insurance companies or applicants already licensed by the authority must hold an enhanced DBS and do not need to provide a current basic DBS disclosure)
  • pay a fee by debit or credit card
  • upload a copy of your vehicle log book (V5) or proof of vehicle ownership
  • upload a copy of your full vehicle insurance certificate to cover private hire use

Apply for a private hire vehicle licence

  • New vehicle - £210
  • Plate brackets - £40
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