Taxi Licensing

Taxis (Hackney Carriages), and Private Hire Vehicles together with their drivers and Private Hire Operators are licensed by local authorities. Licensing provides a visible assurance to the public that the vehicle has been checked every six months for safety and that the driver has been checked medically, and is a fit and proper person to hold a licence. Applicants take a driving test and have a criminal records check before their licence is issued.

The main difference between Taxis (Hackney Carriages) and Private Hire Vehicles is that Taxis can ply for hire, i.e. the vehicle and driver are immediately available for hire, whilst Private Hire Vehicles must be booked in advance, through a licensed operator. Authorities in London also licence minicabs.

The Council can add conditions to the licences it issues and take steps to ensure that the conditions are complied with. The Authority, working with other local authorities and the Police, also strives to detect and prevent unlicensed Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles from operating in the area. The Licensing Office investigates complaints about licensed drivers and operators. The Environment and Licensing Committee meets regularly to decide upon contentious applications. Drivers can appeal against the decision of the Committee at the Magistrates’ Court.

Each licensed vehicle is issued with a licence plate, updated every six months and which must be fixed to the rear of the vehicle. Licensed drivers are issued with a photographic I.D. badge, which must be worn at all times whilst acting as the driver of a licensed vehicle.

Applications

Each PDF application form contains details of the appropriate fees.

You will need to contact Customer Services to obtain a numbered Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) application form (issued by the CRB to local authorities).

Current Fees

Driver

• Annual Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers non-refundable application fee £75.00 (new) and £58.50 (renewal).
• DVLA Check £5.00 (new and renewal).
• Driving test fee £27 (new only)
• Medical examination fee £68.25 (new and renewal depending on age). This medical examination fee is paid by you directly to the medical examiner and not Gedling Borough Council.
• CRB check cost £44.00 (new and every 3 years for a renewal)

Total cost payable to this Authority for a new driver application is £151.00 (this excludes the cost of the Medical examination fee of £68.25 which you pay straight to the medical examiner).

Vehicle

• Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle licence fee (six months) £80.50 (new and renewal).
• Vehicle inspection £50.00.
• Plate deposit £40 (new licences only- refundable on return of the plate).

Total vehicle cost (six months) £130.50 plus plate deposit if a new vehicle.

If the vehicle fails the test the vehicle retest fee is £31.25.

Operator

• Annual Operators Licence £50.50 per vehicle for new and renewal.

Other costs

• Replacement plates £12.00.
• Replacement badges £12.00.
• Meter test £24.00

Changes to the licensing rules for private hire vehicles and drivers

Since January 2008 changes on private hire and taxi licensing have been introduced by Gedling Borough Council as a result of a change in national legislation by the Government.

Local limousines, airport travel, chauffeur services, novelty vehicles, executive hire, park and ride and other operators are now required to be licensed with  the Council .

The licensing laws mean the Council can carry out safety checks on vehicles and their drivers to ensure public safety. People hiring vehicles will be safer in the knowledge that businesses are licensed and drivers have been Criminal Records Bureau vetted by the Council.

Vehicle operators must now contact the Council as soon as possible. Businesses and drivers working whilst not properly licensed could face prosecution, with significant fines and costs. Vehicles previously exempted from being  licensed under seven-day contracts now come under the new laws and must be licensed by the Council for the area they operate in.