Application for Private Hire Vehicle Licence

Private Hire Vehicle Tests

All mechanical vehicle tests are carried out by the Council's approved garages. 

Before applying for a PHV licence you must submit the vehicle for testing at one of the approved garages. Appointments can be made by telephoning a garage direct, emailing a garage direct or in person by calling at the particular garage. The vehicle test fee will be payable direct to the garage at the time of the test.

The minimum standard required at the vehicle test will be that of the current Department for Transport MOT test (in force as of the date of testing) plus the additional items listed in the Council's testing manual.

N.B. The Council have agreed to waive the necessity for a vehicle to be mechanically tested at an approved garage if it is not more than six months old at the date of the application for a PHV licence.

Visual Inspection of the Vehicle by a Council Officer

All vehicles will also be subject to a short visual inspection by a Council Officer at the Council's Offices at The Hub, Mareham Road, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, LN9 6PH.  The visual inspection will cover items such as the cleanliness of the vehicle and compliance with licence conditions. The visual inspection will also check that the vehicle complies with the Council's PHV specification.

Visual inspections will normally only take place on a Tuesday or a Thursday morning. Appointments for visual inspections should be made at least 24 hours in advance by emailing the Licensing Team.

The application for the vehicle licence can be submitted to the Licensing Team at the same time as the vehicle's visual inspection.

The Licence Application Process

In order to apply for a PHV licence you should submit the following to the Licensing Team:

·       A completed PHV licence application form.

·       The application fee (which includes the charge for the vehicle identification plate).

You should ensure that the vehicle registration number, make and model are clearly shown on the vehicle application form, as these details are required on the vehicle identification plate.

During the visual inspection of the vehicle by Officers you will be required to produce the following:

·       Current Private Hire Test Certificate (issued by one of our approved garages).

·       Vehicle V5C UK Registration Certificate#.

·       Current PHV Insurance for private hire purposes.

·       Taximeter Certificate (if a taximeter is fitted to the vehicle)

·       Fire Extinguisher (minimum 1KG powder)*.

·       Evidence of 'No Smoking' signage within the vehicle.

# You should remember to produce the new red V5C document for the vehicle rather than the old blue V5C document.

* Once the vehicle licence is granted the fire extinguisher must be indelibly and clearly marked with the vehicle plate number (issued in respect of the vehicle).

All documentation should be current and original. If satisfactory documents are not produced, or if the vehicle is not to the required standard, it will be necessary for the vehicle to be represented for visual inspection before a licence can be granted.

Taximeter Certificate

You are not required to install a taximeter within a PHV. However, if one is installed it must have been checked and sealed.

If a taximeter is fitted to the vehicle, then when applying for the PHV licence you must supply the Licensing Team with a current certificate indicating that the taximeter has been calibrated and tested. The certificate of authenticity must display the following details:

·       Name of vehicle proprietor.

·       Make, model and registration number of vehicle.

·       Make, model and serial number of taximeter.

·       Date of issue and name and address of person issuing the certificate.

The sealing of the taximeter and issuing of the certificate must be undertaken by a suitably qualified person (approved by the Council). Please note that the Council is not liable for any costs involved in the issuing of taximeter authenticity certificates.

Further Information

If you require any further information or advice do not hesitate to email the Council's Licensing Team: licensing@e-lindsey.gov.uk