Cost
- private hire vehicle licence: £242
- transfer vehicle licence: £187
- change vehicle from private hire to Hackney Carriage licence: £32
- private hire plate exemption certificate: £134
- re-issue of vehicle plate with or without licence: £20
- Administration charge if refund given following cancellation, refusal or surrender £30
What you need to apply
Applicants must:
- have a valid private hire vehicle drivers licence issued by us
- first time licensed vehicles must be less than 3 years old
- the engine capacity must be 1300cc or over. There is no minimum engine capacity for hybrid vehicles
- the width at the front edge of the rear seat must be 1.22 metres or more
- a 1kg hand held fire extinguisher
- no smoking stickers placed in the passengers compartment of the vehicle
- first aid kit containing; a guidance card on first aid; 10 individually wrapped adhesive dressings in assorted sizes; one triangular bandage; three sterile dressings (one medium size, one large size and one extra large size)
- vehicles older than ten years will not continue to be renewed (wheelchair accessible vehicles will be renewed up to 12 years)
In addition to completing an application form, you will need:
- correct fee
- V5C vehicle log book
- valid MOT certificate
- valid insurance certificate. The vehicle must be insured to undertake private hire
- Council approved mechanical inspection from approved garage, telephone 0118 973 6020 for an appointment
Before you apply
We recommend that you research what becoming and working as a private hire driver entails, taking into account:
- income
- hours
- outlay costs - including purchasing/renting a suitable vehicle, additional equipment and the costs of hire and reward insurance
Apply
New licence
Apply for a new private hire vehicle licence
Renew licence
Apply to renew private hire vehicle licence
Additional information
- View private hire vehicle conditions
- Applications to renew a licence must be submitted at least one month before they expire.
Document
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.