Private Hire Vehicle Operator

The 1976 Act requires that any hire car that carries no more than eight passengers for hire, reward or profit needs to be licensed by the Council (operators of larger vehicles must be licensed by the Traffic Commissioners). The only exceptions are vehicles used solely for weddings or funerals and community transport vehicles. Everyone else must be licensed, including chauffeur services, courtesy vehicles provided by pubs, restaurants and hotels for their customers and vehicles carrying out school and other contracts.

Under the 1976 Act it is a requirement to obtain driver, vehicle and operator licences to operate such a vehicle. To obtain these licences the operator, drivers and the vehicles are checked in the interests of public safety. To fail to do so would mean they were operating illegally and their insurance could be invalid in the event of an accident.

When considering an application for a private hire vehicle licence the Council must follow Section 48 of the Act which states that a District Council shall not grant such a licence unless they are satisfied that the vehicle is:

·       Suitable in type, size and design for use as a private hire vehicle.

·       In a suitable mechanical condition.

·       Safe and comfortable.

In order to ascertain whether a vehicle is suitable for licensing the Council has adopted a detailed private hire vehicle specification. The specification can be found in our Private Hire Guidance Booklet. Vehicles must undergo a strict vehicle test and examination at one of the Council's approved garages.  This is in addition to a visual inspection of the vehicle by a Council Officer.  Currently vehicles are mechanically examined at six monthly intervals.

The Council must ensure that all applicants for a private hire driver licence are fit and proper individuals to hold such a licence.  When first applying for a private hire driver licence all applicants must undergo a number of checks including the following:

·       Medical examination.

·       Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Record Check.

·       Check of DVLA driving licence.

Prior to applying for a private hire driver's licence all applicants must have successfully completed the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP) or Blue Lamp Trust driving assessment for hackney carriage and private hire drivers.

Further information on driver licensing can be found on our Hire Driver webpage here:

https://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/article/5399/Hire-Vehicles

It is possible that you may require planning consent to operate a private hire business from a given premises.  If that is the case, the Council's Planning Team should be happy to advise. You can contact the Planning Team by email at: Dev.Control@e-lindsey.gov.uk

If it would be helpful to further discuss any issues, including the process of applying for a private hire operator licence, please do not hesitate to contact the Licensing Team by email: licensing@e-lindsey.gov.uk