Private hire vehicle licence

What is a private hire vehicle licence?

A private hire vehicle licence allows a vehicle to operate on a private hire basis (pre-booked work) within the Borough of Woking.  It is an offence to trade without a licence.

All drivers must:

  • abide by the customer charter 
  • display a yellow licence plate on the rear of their vehicle
  • display a double-sided internal licence plate on the front windscreen
  • display operator signs on the doors and
  • not operate as a hackney carriage and display the word "taxi" or "cab" or "for hire", or give the impression that the vehicle is a licenced hackney carriage.

Private hire vehicles must be pre-booked by telephone or personal visit to the operators premises.

Any private hire vehicle flagged down in the street, ranked up or touting/plying for hire is breaking the law.

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How do I qualify for a private hire vehicle licence?

All drivers of a private hire vehicle must be a holder of either a private hire driver licence or a hackney carriage (taxi) driver licence.

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How do I apply for a private hire vehicle licence?

You must:

  • provide the vehicle registration document
  • provide the MOT certificate (if applicable)
  • provide your insurance certificate
  • complete an application form
  • pay a fee (cash can only be accepted if applying in person - do not send cash through the post) and
  • pass a vehicle inspection (booked through us).

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What are the vehicle requirements?

From 1 of April 2008 the lower and upper age restrictions were removed. However, in order to be licensed all (non-exempt) vehicles will be required to meet or exceed the NCAP 4 Star safety rating and Euro engine IV standard (reviewable from 2012 to continue improving standards). Currently licensed vehicles that do not meet the new NCAP/EURO standards can claim an extension to 31/03/09 provided all other normal standards and checks are passed.

Euro emissions engine standard five (EURO V) and Euro NCAP crash safety rating five stars (NCAP 5*) standards are set to apply to all new and renewal vehicles from 6 January 2014.

Euro VI (six) is to be applied to manufacturers from September 2014 and will therefore apply to new and renewal vehicles presented to Woking Borough Council from 8 January 2018. NCAP standard will remain at a minimum of five (5*) which is the maximum achievable at this time but may be improved upon with notice.

They must also comply with the following:

  • vehicles should be of the four door saloon or estate car type (convertibles and soft top vehicles are excluded)
  • sun roofs shall only be permitted if not in excess of 50% of roof area
  • engine capacity shall be of a minimum 1,300cc
  • minimum seat width shall be 41cm per passenger and
  • vehicles which could be mistaken for hackney carriages (e.g. TXII) shall not be licensed as private hire vehicles.

If you are in any doubt over which vehicle to buy, please contact the licensing team.

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How long will I have to wait for my licence?

As soon as we have been notified by the testing station that your vehicle complies with all of the necessary checks and we have received all the required documentation, we are able to issue you with your licence.

There is an approximate waiting time of a week for vehicle tests.

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What can I do if my licence application is refused?

Your application can be put before the Head of Planning and Regulation or before the Licensing Committee.

If the Council still refuses to issue you with a licence you have the right to appeal to the Magistrates' Court.

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What obligations do I have when my licence is granted?

Once you are a licence holder you must:

  • abide by the customer charter and the conditions attached to your licence
  • pay the renewal licensing fee
  • take your vehicle to the testing station for a six monthly test if your car is older than three years (reminder letters sent out)
  • ensure that the vehicle be maintained in sound and roadworthy mechanical conditions
  • ensure that the interior and exterior of the vehicle be maintained in a clean and proper manner
  • ensure that the vehicle be kept properly taxed and insured for the purpose for which it is used and the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts and all other relevant legislation be observed
  • securely fix the plate supplied by the Council to the exterior rear of the vehicle in such fashion as to be clearly visible and in a position acceptable to the Council
  • display operator door signs and
  • not operate as a hackney carriage and display the word "taxi" or "cab" or "for hire", or give the impression that the vehicle is a licensed hackney carriage.

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What do I do if my licence plate is stolen or lost?

Inform the Council in writing, or person, as soon as possible.  There is a replacement fee.

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How do I renew my private hire vehicle licence?

The renewal procedure is the same for the first application.