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Private hire vehicle licence
You will need a private hire vehicle licence if you own or drive a private hire vehicle (minicab).
Customers must book private hire vehicles (minicabs) in advance, and can't hail them on the street.
You also need a driver licence, and the person taking your bookings needs an operator licence.
The same authority needs to issue the private hire vehicle licence, the driver licence and the operator licence.
To operate in Chelmsford, all three of the licences need to be from us. Therefore, if you have a private hire vehicle licence from us, you will also need a driver licence from us. You can only accept work from an operator with an operator licence from us.
When you licence your vehicle for the first time, it must be less than four years old. When you renew your licence, your vehicle must not be more than twelve years old.
When you licence your vehicle for the first time, it must:
- pass a mechanical inspection test
- comply with Euro 6 emissions standards
- be less than four years old when first licensed (or if your vehicle is exempt)
- be less than six years old when replaced (unless your vehicle is exempt)
To apply for a private hire vehicle licence, you must:
- sign in or register for an account
- complete the application
- upload your supporting documents
- agree to the declaration
- pay the application fee of £340
You must also complete a basic DBS check for each owner (unless you already have a driver licence and have signed up to the DBS update service).
Supporting documents
For a private hire vehicle licence, the supporting documents you will need are:
- a completed proprietorship requisition form
- proof of a completed basic DBS check
- a copy of the certificate of your insurance cover, which much include cover for public hire
- a mechanical inspection certificate
- your log book or bill of sale for the vehicle
- a certificate of calibration (if your vehicle is fitted with a taximeter)
What happens next
Once we receive your application, we will:
- acknowledge it within three days
- check that your application and supporting documents are correct
- arrange to view the vehicle (if necessary)
- notify you of our decision within five working days after you have submitted your application and met all requirements
- issue your licence
Your private hire vehicle licence will be valid for one year from the date we granted it.
You need to apply for a new licence every year, before the current licence expires.
To apply for a re-licence, you must:
- sign in or register for an account
- complete the application form
- upload your supporting documents
- pay the renewal fee of £331
You must also complete a basic DBS check for each owner (unless you already have a driver licence and have signed up to the DBS update service.
Supporting documents
For a private hire vehicle licence renewal, the supporting documents you will need are:
- a completed proprietorship requisition form
- proof of a completed basic DBS check
- a copy of the certificate of your insurance cover, which much include cover for public hire
- a mechanical inspection certificate
- a certificate of calibration (if your vehicle is fitted with a taximeter)
What happens next
Once we receive your renewal application, we:
- may arrange to view the vehicle
- will notify you of our decision
Hackney carriage or private hire vehicles must meet Euro 6 emissions standards if:
- your vehicle remains licensed past 31 March 2024
- your vehicle is being licensed for the first time
- you replace your current licensed vehicle after 31 March 2020
Euro 6 is a set of standards introduced by the European Commission to reduce harmful pollutants from vehicle exhausts.
Your vehicle needs to:
- have an initial mechanical inspection, and then one every six months
- pass an MOT after three years, and then annually
You can book a taxi inspection or MOT for your vehicle at our Freighter House test centre.
You should get your vehicle checked before submitting it for inspection.
If you replace your private hire vehicle due to accidental damage or major repairs, you need to tell us.
We do not regulate the fare you can charge your customers. The fare should be agreed between the operator and the customer when the customer makes the booking.
Private hire vehicles fitted with a taximeter must charge the agreed tariff. You can view our hackney carriage fares.
You can request replacement items for your private hire vehicle.
The law only requires hackney carriage vehicles to have a taximeter. However, where a private hire vehicle decides to have a taximeter fitted, they must be calibrated to the adopted tariff.
A specialist service calibrates the mechanism against a current list of charges and you then receive a certificate.
You can get a taximeter calibration and certificate via Andy Ashton by calling 07973215655 or by emailing andyashton@ntlworld.com.