From 1 April 2023 you will need to meet the new tax check rules set out by HMRC. No licence will be issued without the check code being submitted within your application. More guidance can be found on the government website.

Operator licences

To run a business as a private hire vehicle (PHV) operator you’ll need to get a licence from us, and we must license all your drivers.

You’ll need to have:

  • an office with an address within our area
  • either:
    • an enhanced DBS, if you are also a driver, for detailed information see DBS checks
    • a basic DBS if you are only an operator which must be renewed annually
  • a copy of your DBS certificate to upload

If granted licences are either for 1 year or 5 years.

You must:

  • be at least 21 years of age
  • have a right to work in the UK
  • have planning permission, if required

Apply for a licence

From 1 April 2023 you will need to meet the new tax check rules set out by HMRC. No licence will be issued without the check code being submitted within your application. More guidance can be found on the government website.

Before you apply you’ll need the following information:

  • details of all your vehicles and their plate and registration numbers
  • copy of your driving licence
  • supply evidence of your right to work - acceptable documents can be found on our right to work section

After selecting the button below you’ll need to:

  1. Have a credit or debit card for payment.
  2. Create an account if you do not already have one.
  3. Select licensing.
  4. Select apply for a licence.
  5. Select taxi vehicle licensing applications.
  6. Select private hire operator.
  7. Select transfer private hire to hackney carriage.
  8. Choose either private hire operator 1 or 5 year new application.
  9. Follow the onscreen instructions.

There is a fee for this service. 

There is a minimum processing time of 14 working days so please allow plenty of time for your application.

Apply for a taxi operator licence

Renew a licence

From 1 April 2022 you will need to meet the new tax check rules set out by HMRC. No licence will be issued without the check code being submitted within your application. More guidance can be found on gov.uk.

Before you apply you’ll need the following information:

  • details of all your vehicles and their plate and registration numbers
  • copy of your driving licence
  • supply evidence of your right to work - acceptable documents can be found on our right to work section

After selecting the button below you’ll need to:

  1. Have a credit or debit card for payment.
  2. Create an account if you do not already have one.
  3. Select licensing.
  4. Select apply for a licence.
  5. Select taxi vehicle licensing applications.
  6. Select private hire operator.
  7. Select transfer private hire to hackney carriage.
  8. Choose either private hire operator 1 or 5 year renewal application.
  9. Follow the onscreen instructions.

There is a fee for this service.

Renew your taxi operator licence