Private hire operator licence

If you accept bookings for private hire vehicles, you will need an operator licence.

To apply for an operator licence, you need to contact us.

We will provide an application form, which you need to complete and return to us along with the fee of £298 for a 1-year licence or £710 for a 5-year licence and supporting documents.

For an operator licence, the supporting documents you need are:

• a basic Disclosure and Barring Service check
• a scale drawing of the premises
• evidence of your - and any other applicants' - right to work in the UK (passport)

After we have received your application, we will give our Planning team a copy of your application - they can check the correct planning permission is in place. 

If you have criminal convictions, objections have been raised or the premises are not suitable for use, your application may be referred to the Licensing Sub-committee for a decision.

If we do not grant your licence, you can make an appeal to the magistrates court.

If we grant the licence, it will be valid for either 1 or 5 years, depending on the fee you paid.

Once you have your licence, you will need to keep to the private hire operator licence conditions (pdf)

Renew your operator licence

To renew your operator licence, you need to contact us.

We will provide an application form, which you need to complete and return to us along with the fee of £298 for a 1-year licence or £710 for a 5-year licence and supporting documents.

To renew your licence, the supporting documents you need are:

• a basic Disclosure and Barring Service check

Once we have received your application, we may:

• inspect the premises
• check your previous bookings