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Taxi Vehicle Licence

All vehicles that are to be used as hackney carriages or private hire vehicles must be licensed by the local authority. The Council must be satisfied that the vehicle is roadworthy, has a valid MOT certificate (if applicable), is insured for use as a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle (as applicable) and is fitted with a taxi meter that is capable of registering a fare scale approved by the Council if it is to be used as a hackney carriage.

All vehicles must be no more than 5 years old from the date of first registration when licensed by the Council. Licences are granted for a maximum period of 12 months and your vehicle will need to be tested each time you apply (testing involves an MOT test and an engineer's report from the Council's nominated garage). Once a vehicle reaches a prescribed age, licences will only be issued for a 6 month period and will be subject to testing at each subsequent application as follows;

How to Apply for a Licence

Step 1 - Application Form

You need to complete an application form and send it to the Council accompanied by the following documentation:

• your current insurance including the name of the driver and the appropriate usage cover
• the current vehicle licence fee
• the vehicle's V5 (log book) stating your name and address (or the company's name and address if operating as part of a business)

New Hackney Carriage Vehicle Application Form (44.8KB)
New Private Hire Vehicle Application Form (44.3KB)

Step 2 - Vehicle Test

You will need to book an appointment for the vehicle to be tested at the Council's nominated garage;

North Hertfordshire Homes
Blackhorse Lane
Letchworth Garden City
Herts
SG6 1HA
Telephone: 01462 474716

There is a non-refundable fee for the test which is set by North Hertfordshire Home. A further fee is payable if your vehicle fails and has to be re-tested. Once your vehicle has obtained the following documentation from the nominated garage:

• MOT pass certificate (if over 1 year old)
• Engineer's Report pass certificate
• Emission Test pass certificate

send the original documentation to the Council and it will be copied with the original documentation being returned by recorded delivery. Alternatively, the original documentation can be taken to the Customer Service Centre in Letchworth Garden City  Please be aware that the Customer Service Centre can get very busy and that you will be seen chronological order.

Step 3 - The Licence

Once all the relevant paperwork has been received and the vehicle meets the Council’s requirements, a 6 month or 1 year paper licence will be issued in accordance with the table above. Additionally, a vehicle licence plate will be issued which must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle, in accordance with Council Policy, at all times. The licence can either be collected from the Customer Service Centre or despatched by post.

If you have any questions, please contact Licensing & Enforcement via e-mail at licensing@north-herts.gov.uk or on 01462 474000.