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Private hire operator licence

Anyone who in the course of business makes provision for the invitation or acceptance of a booking for a private hire journey is regarded as an‘Operator’ and must hold an Operator Licence. The licence should be held with the Local Authority in whose area the Operator makes provision for the acceptance of bookings i.e. where his office or home address is located. Private hire vehicles are not permitted to ply for hire like taxis and everything they do must be pre-booked through an operator.

Before a private hire operator licence can be granted the applicant must:

• Complete and submit to the council an Private hire operators licence application form 205kb.
• Satisfy the council that he/she is a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
• Provide a character reference to whom the council will write. The person should have known the applicant personally for at least 3 years and not be connected with his/her family or the taxi/private hire trade.
• Satisfy the council that he/she is financially able to establish himself/herself as a licence holder.
• Provide such other information as may be required by the council and comply with such other conditions as the council may reasonably consider necessary.
• Pay the appropriate licence fee.

Once licensed a private hire operator:

• Can only operate vehicles and drivers licensed by the same local authority that issued the operator licence.
• Shall maintain written records of all bookings within the preceding 6 months, which can on request be inspected at anytime by an authorised officer.