Private hire operators

A private hire operator may only use drivers and vehicles that are licensed by the same local authority.

If you want to operate a vehicle as a private hire vehicle, that is, to invite or accept bookings for the vehicle in the course of business, this requires an operator's licence.

It is an offence to operate a private hire vehicle without this licence.

Please read our taxi licensing policy (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)  and the private hire operator conditions (PDF) [530KB] before making your application.

How to apply

In order to apply for a private hire operator's licence, you will need to complete the online application form and upload the following documentation as PDFs at the end of the process:

• The design of your private hire door signs (full colour). The door sign must measure at least 590mm (59cm) wide by 220mm (22cm) high, all lettering shall measure not more than 4 inches in height and not less than 2 inches in height, and which must comply with the below conditions:
  • The words 'ADVANCE BOOKINGS ONLY' or 'PRIVATE HIRE ONLY' in uppercase letters measuring at least 50% larger than the height of the name of the operator on the door sign and in all cases a maximum of 4 inches high. This wording must be positioned above all other information contained on the door sign.
  • The name of the private hire operator for which work is being undertaken.
  • The preferred method of contact. This may include a landline telephone number (no mobile numbers are permitted), web address, mobile application or similar.

Example:

PRIVATE HIRE ONLY

BROWN'S CARS

01744 123456

Note: All door signage must be approved by the Council prior to the installation on private hire vehicles. The following words or reference to the following words must not be used on the door signage: 'hackney', 'taxi', or 'cab'.

• A basic disclosure from the GOV.UK website for each applicant that does not hold a hackney carriage/private hire driver's licence with us (no older than 1 calendar month). If the applicant is a company or a partnership, a standard DBS certificate (no older than 1 calendar month) must be provided for each partner or director.
• A list of all drivers and vehicles that will operate under your licence.
• HMRC tax check code (from 4 April 2022 if applicable).
• You will need to have received confirmation from the Planning Section with regards to planning permission for your operator's base.

Once we have received your application and have checked it, we will contact you to make payment for your application.

Please ensure that you check your application and supporting documents before you submit it, as any incorrect submissions will result in the application being rejected and a new application will then have to be submitted.

In order to renew your private hire operator's licence, you will need to complete online renewal application form and upload the following documentation as PDFs at the end of the process:

• A basic disclosure from the GOV.UK website for each applicant that does not hold a hackney carriage/private hire driver's licence with us (no older than 1 calendar month). If the applicant is a company or a partnership, a standard DBS certificate (no older than 1 calendar month) must be provided for each partner or director.
• A list of all drivers and vehicles that operate under your licence.
• HMRC tax check code (from 4 April 2022).

Please note: before you can begin the application process you will be asked for a licence reference number. This number will be 13-15 digits in length and a mixture of numbers and letters. Your licence reference number can be found in the bottom right-hand side of your operator licence paperwork. Your reference number will be different for each licence you hold (for example, you cannot use your vehicle reference number to renew your operator's licence) and it will change every time a licence is renewed so it is important that you retain your current information and licences for future use. 

If you're having issues with locating your licence reference number, please email us.

If you have more than one proprietor named on your operator's licence, the online renewal form will only display the details of one of the proprietors. For each proprietor whose details the online renewal form does not display, they will need to complete the 'applicants page' from the paper renewal private hire operator application form and upload this at the end of the online renewal application form.

Please ensure that you check your application and supporting documents before you submit it, as any incorrect submissions will result in the application being rejected and a new application will then have to be submitted.

Once we have received your application and have checked it, we will contact you to make payment for your application.