Standard private hire vehicle licence – renewal application

Application process

In order for your application to be accepted, the application form must be fully completed and include all relevant information, supporting documentation and appropriate fee. It must be returned to the Licensing Team at least 10 working days prior to the licence expiry date.

If any part of the application is incomplete, you will be requested to provide the missing information and the application will not be processed until such time as all required information, documentation or fee is provided. If you fail to provide all the information, the application will be rejected.

Pay for this application online

The full fee for the licence is payable at the time the application is submitted.

If you are unable to pay for your application online, please contact the Licensing Team using the contact details at the bottom of this page.

What will I need before I apply?

In order for your application to be accepted you must ensure you send in the following information:

Completed application form
A copy of the receipt for payment of the application fee. Payments can be made online.
A copy of new MOT issued within the previous 10 working days
A copy of a valid certificate of insurance for private hire (when providing fleet insurance, a copy of the schedule/register of vehicles covered by the fleet insurance must be provided). Please note, insurance stating covered for public hire will not be accepted for private hire vehicles.
Proof of public liability insurance for a minimum of £5,000,000
Where the vehicle is fitted with a mechanically operated ramp, a valid certificate/report confirming the ramp complies with the requirements of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (Please note the proprietor is responsible for ensuring that a competent person carries out the necessary checks in accordance with these Regulations.)
Where the vehicle is fitted with a non-mechanical ramp, confirmation that the ramp complies with the relevant provisions of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Where fittings are used to secure wheelchairs to the floor of a vehicle, a certificate/report confirming that all the fittings are intact and are free from damage and wear
Where the applicant does not hold a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence or a private hire operator licence issued by us, you must also provide:
- A completed Convictions Form
- A basic criminal record disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (please note, a basic criminal record disclosure will only be accepted by the Council within 12 months of the date of issue from the Disclosure and Barring Service)

Please note: Where the application relates to a partnership or a limited company, the name, address, date of birth and other information must be included in the application form for all partners and directors. In addition, all partners and directors will need to provide a completed Convictions Form, a completed Reference Form and a basic criminal record disclosure unless they are the holder of a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence, or a private hire operator licence issued by Shropshire Council.

Your completed application form and supporting documents should be submitted to the Licensing Team by email to taxis@shropshire.gov.uk

What happens next?

Once your application has been validated and accepted, we will:

Complete an online check of the MOT history for the vehicle
Complete an online vehicle tax check for the vehicle
Make enquiries through the Councils adults and children’s social care teams, West Mercia Police (or other relevant force), other local authorities and any other organisation, agency or person that the Council has deemed appropriate to seek information from

Providing the above are satisfied and there are no concerns about the application, we will grant the licence. In all other cases, the application will be referred to the Licensing Panel for determination. You would be notified in writing if your application is to be determined by the Licensing Panel.

If my application is successful, what happens next?

When an applicant is successful they will be issued a combined hackney carriage/private hire drivers licence (joint badge). A licence is normally issued for a maximum period of three years.

The licence pack consists of two badges, a paper licence and hackney carriage/private hire drivers licence conditions of licence.

One badge comes with a lanyard and badge holder and is to be worn around the neck ensuring that the photograph and licence details are clearly visible. Drivers must show this badge to passengers, the police or an authorised officer when requested.

The second badge has the words ‘Vehicle Copy’ and comes with an adhesive holder. This badge must be displayed on the inside of the windscreen of the vehicle being driven so as to be plainly visible at all times to fare paying passengers.

Loss of either of either of the badges must be reported immediately to the Council so that a new badge can be obtained. A fee will be charged for a replacement badge. If the original badge is then found, it must be returned to the Council.

Licensed drivers must read the conditions of licence carefully to ensure compliance at all times. Once licensed, a driver must remain a fit and proper person to hold a licence and therefore drivers are advised to keep themselves familiar with the contents of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, in addition to their conditions of licence.

What is a vehicle compliance check?

Prior to issuing a licence a check is made of the vehicle to ensure that it meets our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. The checks completed will include ensuring that:

Where the vehicle can transport a reference wheelchair, that the driver presenting the vehicle is capable of safely loading and securing the wheelchair into the vehicle (The vehicle, including seating, wheelchair restraint and ramp, will be photographed and the images held on the vehicle record file for future reference)
Where the vehicle is wheelchair accessible, a sign confirming the vehicle is wheelchair accessible is clearly displayed
The vehicle has a full-size spare wheel or space saver design wheel and tools to change the wheel OR a contract with a mobile tyre replacement specialist
A No Smoking Sign is on display
The driver is wearing their Council issued hackney carriage/private hire driver’s badge
The internal ‘Vehicle Copy’ of the driver’s badge is displayed
Where CCTV is fitted, a CCTV operating in this vehicle sign is on display
Where the vehicle is fitted with a taximeter that the meter seal is intact and the serial number matches the number provided in the meter calibration certificate.

Provided officers are satisfied that the vehicle meets the requirements of the compliance check, the licence plates will be issued. If, however, the vehicle does not meet the compliance check requirements, advice will be provided, and a further appointment arranged.

How much will it cost?

There is a fee for issuing this document, which is taken when you apply.

Applicants who have subscribed to the DBS update service and are providing a copy of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate that meets the all criteria listed below must remove £40 from the fee payable. The fee to apply for a new hackney carriage/private hire drivers licence includes £40 for the DBS, £5 for the DVLA, £49 for the first knowledge test, £29.12 for the first driving assessment and £36.15 for the safeguarding awareness course. The remaining £94.73 covers the cost of administration.