Taxis and Private Hire

When you want to pay someone to take you to school, the shops, or the airport, there are two types of cars you might use: private hire vehicles and hackney carriages. Both provide passenger transport services, but they operate under different rules and conditions.

Hackney Carriages (Taxis)

• These are the traditional black cabs or taxis you see on the street.
• You can wave at them to ask them to stop ('hail' them) if you see one with its 'for hire' light on, and they can pick you up right away.
• They are allowed to wait at taxi ranks, like those at train stations or on busy streets.
• They have a taximeter inside, which must be used to show how much you have to pay as the journey goes on.
• They have to display a roof sign with 'taxi' on it. They will also have a licence plate on the back of the car next to the registration number.

Private Hire Vehicles (Minicabs)

• They have to be booked in advance, usually by phone, online, or using an app.
• Bookings for private hire vehicles can only be made by licensed private hire operators.
• You cannot stop a private hire vehicle in the street or hire them from a taxi rank. They are not allowed to pick people up unless they are already booked.
• They are more likely to look like normal cars because they do not have to have a taxi sign or meter (although they do have to have a licence plate displayed next to the registration number).

Both types of vehicles and their drivers must have special licences, so they’re safe and legal to use. Taxis and private hire vehicles, their drivers, and their booking offices must all be licensed separately.

Driver Licensing

If you want to drive any kind of taxi including hackney carriages or private hire vehicles you will need a licence from us.

Vehicle Licensing

Licensing a vehicle as a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle

Operator Licensing

Hiring out a vehicle with a driver must be licensed by us.

Pay Online

Pay for your taxi and private hire licences, amendments, DBS checks, DVLA check, replace badges, retake of knowledge tests, replacement plates and transfer of ownership online.

Licensing Fees

Here you will find the fees and charges for licences.