North Herts Council is responsible for licensing all:
- taxi vehicles
- private hire vehicles
- operators
- drivers
The licensing requirements for private hire vehicles are very similar to taxis, but operators must also be licensed as well as the driver and the vehicle.
The aim of the licensing process is to regulate the taxi and private hire trade in order to support the following objectives:
- Public safety
(including protecting children, and vulnerable persons over eighteen years of age, from harm when using taxis and private hire vehicles) - The protection of the environment
(including the use of cleaner, greener vehicles and preventing idling) - Ensuring an efficient and effective taxi and private hire provision
(including the use of new technology where appropriate and advancing equality) - To provide and maintain a professional and respected taxi and private hire trade by continued monitoring and improvement of standards of service