How to apply for a private hire operator licence
Guidance notes
Please read these notes carefully and contact Licensing if you have any questions before taking any action in relation to your application.
Fees and refunds
- The licence fee of £240 must accompany all applications
- An additional charge of £53.80 is made on all new and renewal applications for each disclosure and barring service (DBS) check to be carried out if a current driver’s badge is not held
- A refund will only be given if an applicant is unsuccessful in obtaining a licence. Once the licence is issued, no refund will be given.
Disclosure and barring checks
The council has to satisfy itself that an applicant and/or managing director of a company are ‘fit and proper persons’. This is done by obtaining information from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) regarding the disclosure of criminal records. In order to carry out this procedure, the council is obliged to verify the identity of all applicants. When applying for a licence, you must provide the necessary original documentation. (Photocopies will not be accepted). The applicant and the Managing Director of the company are required to disclose all convictions, however, if you aren't sure this applies to you contact Licensing
If you are the holder of a current Hackney carriage/private hire driver's licence, then you may not be required to undergo a separate DBS check if your certificate is less than three months old. You must produce your Hackney carriage/private hire driver's licence (the laminated licence and the badge).
Right to work in the United Kingdom
The Immigration Act 2016 has given the council greater responsibility when granting drivers and operators licences. We are under a duty to ensure that we licence only those applicants who have a right to work in the UK.
For all applications (grant and renewal), the applicant must produce documentation that proves they have the right to work in the UK.
More information on right to work in the UK checks (GOV.UK)
Premises
You must supply your public liability Insurance policy for the premises that you will be operating from if you are admitting members of the general public for booking or waiting purposes. The policy must have at least 14 days of cover left on it.
Rejected applications
If your application is rejected, the council will give written notification as to why the refusal decision was made. You have the right to an appeal to the magistrate’s court within 21 days of the decision rejecting your application. More information: Guidance for licensed drivers appealing decisions
Last updated: 07/03/2023 14:19
