Vehicle licence FAQs - applying for a licence

You will usually need to provide:

• a completed application form;
• the correct application fee;
• the vehicle registration certificate, known as the V5C, or other proof of ownership;
• valid insurance for the correct type of licensed use;
• a current Ministry of Transport test certificate, where required;
• evidence that the vehicle has passed the council’s vehicle inspection;
• a basic criminal record disclosure certificate for each relevant person, unless they are already licensed as a driver by the council issuing the licence.

Your vehicle must be insured for the type of licensed work it will be used for. Ordinary private car insurance is not sufficient.

For a hackney carriage, the insurance must cover hackney carriage use. Sometimes this is called 'public hire' on the certificate.

For a private hire vehicle, the insurance must cover private hire use.

The insurance must be valid before the licence can be granted.

Yes, you will usually need to provide the logbook (the V5C vehicle registration certificate), or other proof accepted by the council, to show the vehicle details and that you own the car.

Usually, yes.

Most applications require a current Ministry of Transport test certificate. Some councils have different requirements for very new vehicles, so this may depend on the age and mileage of the vehicle.

Wychavon District Council requires that the MOT certificate was issued within the last 30 days.

To confirm whether you need an MOT when you make your application, you should check the policy for the council you are applying to.

Yes.

The vehicle must be inspected and found suitable before a licence can be granted or renewed. The inspection checks that the vehicle is safe, roadworthy, and meets the council’s licensing standards.

Inspection arrangements vary between councils. Depending on the council’s process, you may need to book the inspection directly with the approved garage, or contact the licensing team to arrange an inspection by a licensing officer.

Yes.

Licensed vehicles are likely to need further inspections during the licence period. The council may also require an inspection at any time if there are concerns about the vehicle’s condition, safety, or fitness for licensed use.

You should check the policy for the council you are applying to for more information about inspections during the licence period.

The vehicle proprietor is the person, people, company, or partnership that holds, or wants to hold, the vehicle licence.

A vehicle can have more than one proprietor.

Yes.

The council must be satisfied that the proprietor is suitable to hold a vehicle licence. This is often called the fit and proper person test.

This means the council is asking whether the person can be trusted to hold a licence, look after the vehicle properly, and make sure the vehicle is not used in an unsafe or improper way.

Yes.

If the applicant is a company, the council will usually consider the suitability of the company directors.

Yes.

If there is more than one proprietor, the council will consider the fitness of each proprietor to hold the licence.

Yes, unless you are already licensed as a hackney carriage and/or private hire vehicle driver by the same council.

A basic criminal record disclosure certificate is usually required for each relevant person. This means each proprietor. If the applicant is a company, it includes each director.

The requirement does not apply where the person is already licensed by the same council as a hackney carriage and/or private hire driver.

The council needs to decide whether the person is suitable to hold a vehicle licence.

A licensed vehicle can be used to carry members of the public, so the council must be satisfied that the proprietor can be trusted to control, maintain, and manage the vehicle properly.

The application may need to be looked at in more detail.

Depending on what is shown, officers may not be able to grant the application themselves. The application would then need to be referred to the relevant committee or sub-committee for a decision.

You can renew your licence at any time before it expires.

You should apply at least two working weeks before your licence expires. This allows enough time for the licensing authority to receive, review and decide your application, issue your renewed licence, and produce and deliver any plates or badges before your current licence expires.

You should plan your renewal carefully to make sure that all required documents are ready and any required vehicle inspections have been completed before you apply. This will help you continue licensed activity without interruption.

Applications are processed in the order they are received. If you submit your renewal late, there may not be enough time to review and decide your application, issue the renewed licence, and produce and deliver new licence plates before your current licence expires.

If your licence expires before the renewed licence is issued, you must not use the vehicle for licensed activity until the new licence has been granted and any required plates have been issued.

If your renewal application is received more than 14 days after the previous licence expired, the council will treat it as a new application. This means your vehicle will have to meet the rules for a vehicle being licensed for the first time, including any minimum age requirements for new vehicles.

Yes. If the vehicle has been sold, the new owner must apply to transfer the licence into their name.

They will need to provide:

• a completed transfer application;
• proof that the vehicle has been sold to them;
• the vehicle registration certificate, known as the V5C, or other proof of ownership;
• valid insurance in their name;
• the correct fee; and
• basic criminal record disclosure certificates for each relevant person, unless this requirement does not apply.

No. It is not possible to transfer a licence from one vehicle to another.

If you buy a different vehicle, you must apply for a new licence for that vehicle.

Yes. You can apply to replace a vehicle that is already licensed.

In most cases, the replacement vehicle must meet the requirements for a vehicle being licensed for the first time.

However, different criteria may apply if you are replacing a vehicle that is already licensed as a hackney carriage. More information on this is in each council's taxi licensing policy here: Taxi licensing policies

As part of the application, you will be asked to say whether you are applying for:

• a new vehicle licence; or
• a permanent replacement for an existing licensed vehicle.

Yes, but only in limited circumstances.

A temporary vehicle licence may be allowed where your licensed vehicle is temporarily unavailable, for example because of accident damage. The temporary vehicle must still meet the council’s requirements for new licences.

In all other cases, vehicle licences are issued for one year. However, a licence holder may surrender their licence at any time during the licence period.

If a licence is surrendered, the licence holder may request a refund of part of the application fee paid for that licence. Any refund will be calculated in line with the council’s refund policy up to a maximum of 75% of the fee paid.

A temporary vehicle licence is normally only granted for four months.

It is a condition of the vehicle licence that the licence holder must report any accident involving the licensed vehicle to the council within 72 hours. This applies whether or not the accident appears to have caused any damage.

This requirement is to allow the council to assess the vehicle and decide whether it can continue to be used, or whether to suspend the licence until any damage has been repaired.

If you need a temporary replacement vehicle because of the accident, the accident must be reported before the temporary vehicle application can be accepted.

Yes.

All licensed vehicles must display a licence plate on the rear of the vehicle, and a small internal licence plate either in the windscreen or in the cabin area of the vehicle.

Hackney Carriages (taxis) must legally display an approved, illuminated roof sign bearing the word "TAXI".

Some councils require door signs to be displayed.

The exact requirements for signage differ between councils and you should check the policy for the council you are applying to for the specific requirements.

Yes, but you should not assume that your application will be granted.

The council will normally expect vehicles to meet the requirements in its taxi licensing policy. It will only make an exception where there is a good reason to do so.

When you apply you must explain why your vehicle should be licensed even though it does not meet the policy. You should provide clear evidence to support your request.

The council may consider:

• the vehicle’s age;
• mileage;
• make and model;
• specification;
• emissions;
• Ministry of Transport test history;
• service history;
• internal and external condition;
• whether the vehicle has exceptional features;
• whether the vehicle performs a specific function that most other vehicles cannot.

The vehicle will be inspected by a licensing officer before a licence is granted.

No.

Personal or financial circumstances are not normally treated as reasons to depart from the vehicle policy.