Notes on Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Procedure
It is an offence to operate a vehicle for private hire unless a valid private hire vehicle licence is held by the owner of such vehicle and a licensed private hire vehicle may only be used as such when in the charge of and driven by a person holding a current private hire driver's licence.
Accompanying documents
When you make an application we must see:
- a valid V5
- a valid certificate of Insurance
- an MOT certificate (less than 2 weeks old)
- evidence that the vehicle is taxed
Vehicle tests
Private Hire vehicles must have a valid MOT Certificate issued within 14 days of the inspection. For new vehicles a pre-delivery certificate with delivery mileage is acceptable.
- All licensed private hire vehicles must have an inspection every year
- Vehicles over three years of age must have an MOT every six months
- If a licensed vehicle has serious accident damage a new MOT must be carried our before entering back into service
Vehicle examination
Any authorised officer of the Council or any constable has the power at all reasonable times to inspect and test, for the purpose of ascertaining its fitness, any private hire vehicle licensed by a District Council, or any taximeter affixed to such a vehicle, and if he is not satisfied as to the fitness of the private hire vehicle or as to accuracy of its taximeter he may by notice in writing require the proprietor of a private hire vehicle to make it or its taximeter available for further inspection and testing at such reasonable time and place as may be specified in the notice and suspend the vehicle licence until such time as such authorised officer or constable is so satisfied.
Taximeters
If a taximeter is fixed to the vehicle it must be tested and sealed. It must not be mounted in such a position as to be easily visible from outside the vehicle.
If at anytime after the grant of a licence a different type of tyre is fitted to the vehicle, and/or any alterations are carried out to the vehicle which might affect the reading on the face of the taximeter, and/or the seal of the taximeter is broken, whether accidentally or otherwise, the vehicle must be submitted for re-examination and/or sealing of the taximeter.
Accident damage
The proprietor of a private hire vehicle must report to the Council as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 72 hours of the occurrence thereof, any accident to the vehicle causing damage materially affecting the safety, performance or appearance of the private hire vehicle or the comfort or convenience of persons carried therein.
Display of plate
A licensed private hire vehicle must at all times have plates affixed to the outside front and rear of the vehicle. Such plates will be issued by the Licensing Section.
The plates remains the property of the Council and must be returned when the licence is surrendered, revoked or expired and not renewed.
Restriction on advertising etc
Private hire vehicles are not permitted to display any sign or notice on the roof or any illuminated sign, notice or device.
The only permitted signs (other than licence discs) are:
- the name of the firm and/or its telephone number in letters and figures not more than 20" in height on the front windscreen, the total size of the sign being not more than 15" x 4", and
- the name of the firm and/or its telephone number in letters and figures not more than 3" in height, or other advertising material approved by the Licensing Manager, on the front doors.
The words "For Hire", "Cab" or "Taxi" must not be included even if the name of the firm includes such words.
Fee
Listed on our applications page.
Period of Licence
A licence shall be in force from the time it is taken out until the expiration of the period of twelve months beginning with the first day of the month in which it is taken out.
Licence restriction
A private hire vehicle licence is issued in respect of the registration number of which is shown on the licence only.
Transfer of licence
If a private hire operator wishes to change the vehicle during the term of the private hire licence they should contact the licensing section to make an appointment for the vehicle to be inspected, the documentation to be submitted and the fee to be taken. Once all is satisfactory new plates will be issued.
Warning
Any false statement or information given to the questions set out in the application form may result in cancellation of the licence.
Right of appeal
Any person aggrieved by the refusal of the Council to grant a private hire vehicle licence may appeal to a Magistrates' Court.
Contact the Licensing Section
Telephone: 01304 872295
Email: licensing@dover.gov.uk