Private hire operator licence

Apply for a private hire operator licence.

You need a private hire operator's licence to take bookings for private hire vehicles. Licences are usually granted for 5 years.

If your vehicle can carry up to eight passengers, you need a private operator's licence.  Anything above eight seats requires the licence to be obtained from Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Apply for a vehicle operator licence on the GOV.UK website (external link)

Before you apply

To apply for a private hire operator's licence, you must be able to show:

  • you are a 'fit and proper person' which means your background and character will be checked. We may carry out an enhanced criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
  • you have Planning and building control or a certificate of lawful use for your operating base within Surrey Heath
  • if your operating base is open to the public you must have public liability insurance for the premises
  • the name of your business does not include the word 'taxis' or 'cabs'

Cost

  • private hire operators licence for more than one vehicle (five years): £865
  • private hire operators licence for more than one vehicle (one year): £220
  • private hire operators licence sole operator (5 year): £425
  • private hire operators licence sole operator (1 year): £113
  • Administration charge if refund given following cancellation, refusal or surrender £30

Apply

To apply for a private hire operator's licence, follow these steps:

  • complete the online private hire operator licence application
  • the correct fee payable by credit or debit card
  • provide photo identification for each applicant. We only accept passport or DVLA driver's licence
  • provide a basic DBS check certificate issued within the last month for each applicant
  • provide a list of vehicles and drivers that you will be operating
  • proof of right to live and work in the UK for each person named on the application
  • a private hire operator is required to keep records of all hirings which they accept and details of the drivers and vehicles used to undertake those hirings. These records must be keep available for inspection by authorised officers of the council at all reasonable times.

New licence

Apply for a new private hire operator licence

Renew licence

Apply to renew a private hire operator licence

Fair Processing Statement

This authority is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes. For further information see the data matching webpage.