Private Hire Vehicle Licence
The operation of private hire vehicles is strictly controlled by the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
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.
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.
Licensed private hire 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 application form for a private hire vehicle licence can be found under Related Documents at the bottom of this webpage.