2. New Private Hire vehicle application
Requirements for a new Private Hire vehicle
New private hire vehicles must be less than 4 years old, however those between 3 and 4 years old will also need to have a full Vehicle Inspection Report completed by a reputable association or garage. Any essential or advisory repairs highlighted will need to be carried out prior to application and we will need to see proof of this (an itemised receipt from your garage. If the vehicle is over 4 years old we cannot licence it as a private hire vehicle.
Once a vehicle is licensed it can be re-licensed annually until the vehicle is 8 years old. Vehicles between 8 and 9 years old will also need a full Vehicle Inspection Report and any advisories completed prior to application. Proof of this must be submitted. Vehicles over 9 years old cannot be plated. The age of the vehicle is calculated from the date of first registration shown on the V5 registration document.
Application forms
Application process for Private Hire vehicles
Please use our Contact Us form to send us the following documents at least 2 weeks before the expiry date. We will aim to process your application within 2 weeks:
- Completed application form;
- An MOT certificate that is no older than 3 months from the date of your application (all advisories must be addressed and evidence provided that the work has been done);
- A Motor Insurance certificate that covers your vehicle for the day your new licence will commence and covers the vehicle under the terms of a Hackney Carriage licence; and
- The Vehicle Registration Document in the registered keeper’s name and current address. If you have sent this off to the DVLA, we will accept the new keeper supplement of the vehicle registration document and ask you to bring in the full document when you receive it back from the DVLA.
Important information: Only a taxi driver licensed with Exeter City Council may drive the vehicle away after it has been licensed as a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle.
Applications are not complete if not all necessary documents are submitted.
Once your application has been processed, we will call you to take payment for the Private Hire Vehicle Licence and arrange an appointment for you to collect your plate. One of our officers will inspect your vehicle when you collect your plate.
Fee: £325.00
Disclaimer
Please allow at least 2 weeks for your application to be processed before contacting us online.
In order for us to process your application as quickly as possible, please make sure that:
- You submit your application and supporting documents in one clear email;
- Specify in your email whether you are applying for a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle Licence; and
- Ensure documents are clearly legible and ideally submitted in PDF format.