• Home
• News
• About the council
• Business services
• Community
• Council tax
• Environment
• Housing and benefits
• Jobs
• Leisure and tourism
• Parking and transport
• Planning
• Recycling and waste

A–Z index:

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Taxi vehicle licence

• Introduction
• Vehicle inspection
• Vehicle licence - initial application

Introduction

Licences will only be issued to vehicles with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 passenger seats exclusive of the driver, with adequate provision of luggage space. Vehicles may be hardtop four door saloons, hatchbacks or estates and approved ‘minibuses’.

Since 1989 new hackney carriage vehicle licences have only been issued to vehicles capable of carrying wheelchair bound disabled persons. Vehicles such as purpose built London style taxis or specifically adapted vehicles can be used for this purpose. These vehicles should be equipped to the standards as in the council’s additional conditions and specifications (see paragraph 12 of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Conditions and Byelaw booklet 1.2mb). This policy does not apply to licensed private hire vehicles.

A private hire vehicle must not be of such design and appearance as to lead any person to believe that the vehicle is a hackney carriage.

There is no specific age limit for vehicles but no vehicle over 3 years old will be granted an initial licence unless:-

In the opinion of the vehicle inspector authorised by the council and the council’s licensing officer it is in exceptionally well maintained condition, both with regard to the mechanics, body work, interior and all ancillary equipment (see paragraph 10 of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Conditions and Byelaw booklet 1.2mb).

Vehicle inspection

Prior to application the vehicle must be produced to the council’s licensing officer for inspection. If considered suitable a ‘pre-compliance test’ form will be issued. The vehicle must then be submitted for testing at the council’s authorised testing station. The ‘pre-compliance form’ will need to be produced at the time of the test (see paragraph 9 of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Conditions and Byelaw booklet 1.2mb).

If a vehicle is brand new when first licensed it will not be required to be tested for 12 months.

Under the Motor Vehicle (Tests) Regulations Salisbury District Council has been granted the authority to operate a Certificate of Compliance Scheme by the Department of Transport. This certificate take the place of the normal MOT certificate for all purposes including obtaining the Vehicle Excise Licence. The certificate only remains valid whilst the vehicle in question remains a licensed vehicle.

Once licensed a vehicle will be liable for testing as follows:

• Vehicles up to five years old will be tested every six months
• Vehicles over five years old will be tested every four months

Vehicle licence - initial application

Before a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licence can be granted the applicant must:

• Complete and submit to the council an application on the prescribed form: Hackney Carriage proprietor's licence application form 226kb or Private hire vehicle licence application form 228kb .
• 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.
• Produce a certificate of insurance issued on a comprehensive or third party basis required by Part VI of the Road Traffic Act 1972 and which indemnifies the use of the vehicle for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward.
• Produce a certificate completed by the council’s authorised testing station showing the vehicle meets the inspection requirements in all aspects.
• Produce the vehicle registration document.
• Pay the appropriate licence fee.