Notes Of Private Hire Vehicle Licence
1. 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.
2. Accompanying Documents
The applicant is required to submit for examination:
(a) a valid Certificate of Insurance
(b) a valid Department of Transport Vehicle Test Certificate
(not more than three months old)
(c) a Vehicle Excise Act 1971 Registration Document
(d) a valid Insurance Certificate for Hire and Reward and a
current Vehicle Excise Licence
3. Vehicle Tests
The vehicle, when presented for inspection must have a valid MOT
Certificate not issued more than
14 days in advance. A pre-delivery certificate with delivery
mileage can be accepted in lieu of an
MOT in respect of a new vehicle.
All licensed hackney carriage vehicles will be subjected to this
inspection on an annual basis.
All licensed hackney carriage vehicles three years of age and
over will be required, in addition
to the above to have an MOT every six months.
When a licensed vehicle sustains serious accident damage it
shall be subjected to a further satisfactory MOT test prior to it
being presented back into service.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Display Of Plate
A licensed private hire vehicle must at all times have a plate
affixed to the outside rear of the vehicle as required by law. Such
plate will be issued by the Licensing Section.
The plate remains the property of the Council and must be
surrendered when the licence is surrendered, revoked or expired and
not renewed.
8. 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:
- (a) 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
- (b) 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.
9. Fee
Please refer to enclosed fees and charges
10. 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.
11. Licence Restriction
A private hire vehicle licence is issued in respect of the
vehicle the registration number of which is shown on the licence
and cannot in any circumstances be an authority for the use of any
other vehicle as a private hire vehicle.
12. Transfer Of Licence
The proprietor of a private hire vehicle must notify the Council
in writing of the name and address of a person to whom the vehicle
is sold or transferred within 14 days of the transfer.
Applications for the transfer of a licence during the currency
thereof will be considered and, subject to compliance with the
necessary conditions, will be granted.
13. Warning
Any false statement or information given to the questions set
out in the application form may result in cancellation of the
licence.
14. 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.
Applications for private hire licences should be made to the
Licensing Section, White Cliffs Business Park, Dover, Kent CT16 3PJ
(Telephone: Dover (01304) 872295).
Contact the Licensing Section
Telephone: 01304 872295
Email: licensing@dover.gov.uk
