The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 requires an individual that drives a member of the public in a licensed private hire vehicle to hold a private hire driver licence issued by the local authority.
Who needs to register as a private hire driver?
How do I apply for a private hire driver licence or renew my current licence?
What is a Criminal Record Bureau check and how do I complete one?
How long does my licence last for?
How much will it cost?
What else will I need to do?
How can i access the public register?
I want to compliment, complain or comment on a private hire driver.
Any individual that drives a member of the public in a licensed private hire vehicle must first obtain a private hire driver licence from the local authority. A private hire vehicle is a motor vehicle constructed or adapted to seat fewer than nine passengers and includes stretch limousines. It is not a hackney carriage (London style cab/taxi) or a public service vehicle. It is provided for hire with the services of a driver for the purpose of carrying fare paying passengers
Unlike a hackney carriage vehicle (London style cab/taxi), private hire vehicles and drivers can only transport members of the public who have booked their journey in advance with a licensed private hire operator.
There are no limits placed on the number of private hire driver licences issued by the local authority. A licensed private hire driver is in a position of great responsibility – they are entrusted with the safety of their passengers and will often be working with young children and vulnerable adults. A private hire driver often creates the first impression of Bolton for many of the town’s visitors.
Before completing an application form, please ensure you read through the 'private hire driver guidance notes'. These are available to download and are listed on the right hand side of this page.
The ‘private hire driver application form’ is available to download and is listed on the right hand side of this page. Once you have completed the form, click on file then save and attach this file to an email and forward it electronically to the Licensing Team (licensing.unit@bolton.gov.uk), or printed the completed form and send it through the post. Alternatively you can contact the Licensing Team to request a pack. The address and contact telephone number is shown on the right hand side of this page.
If you are a new applicant, the local authority will not grant a licence unless it is satisfied that you are a ‘fit and proper person’ (Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976). This is determined by completing a satisfactory criminal records check and your doctor completing a 'medical certificate' regarding your health.
The 'medical certificate', which is available to download and listed on the right hand side of this page, must confirm you are medically fit to drive to the Group II standard set by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Please see the link to the DVLA medical requirements on the right hand side of this page.
If you do not meet these requirements then your application may be referred to the Licensing and Environmental Regulation Committee for consideration.
You must have held a full UK motor car driving licence (or EU equivalent) for at least twelve months and you must successfully pass all elements of a driver test. Please note, on 06 April 2010 the driver test requirements changed. Please contact the Licensing Team for details.
To apply to be a private hire driver for the first time, you will need to:
- complete the ‘private hire driver application form’ on the right hand side of this page or contact the Licensing Team for the necessary application forms
- pay a licence fee of £80.00
- provide one passport style photograph
- provide your full DVLA driver licence – card and counterpart
- provide proof of your national insurance number
- provide your valid passport or birth certificate
- provide proof of your current address – i.e. bank statement, utility bill
- complete a Criminal Records Bureau application form*
- pay the Criminal Records Bureau fee of £44 (as of 06.04.11)
- provide a 'medical certificate' – completed by your doctor (usually produced once a test has been successfully completed)
*Please enquire with the Licensing Team if an enhanced disclosure certificate has been issued to you in the last six months.
To renew a private hire driver licence you will need to:
- complete the ‘private hire driver application form’ on the right hand side of this page or contact the Licensing Team for the necessary application forms
- pay a licence fee of £41.00
- provide one passport style photograph
- provide your full DVLA driver licence – card and counterpart
To renew a licence it must be current at the time of the application. An application to renew a licence may be made up to one month before its expiry. If you allow your licence to expire you will be expected to complete a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. Otherwise, CRBs are completed every three years.
Following your forty-fifth birthday you will be asked to produce a 'medical certificate' completed by your doctor every five years. Once you reach your sixty-fifth birthday the 'medical certificate' is required annually.
This process is changing - to simplify the application and payment procedure the Team is working hard to develop an on line application and payment system. This will be available before the end of 2010.
The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 requires all licensed private hire drivers to be ‘fit and proper’. A local authority cannot issue a private hire driver licence unless they are satisfied the applicant complies with this requirement. Certain types of convictions may prohibit you from being a private hire driver.
You will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Bureau application upon application and if you continue to hold a private hire driver licence every three years. For this you will need:
- your valid passport or UK birth certificate
- your full Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency licence – card and counterpart
- proof of your current address – i.e. bank statement, utility bill less than three months old.
- proof of your national insurance number.
- a completed Criminal Records Bureau application form*
- to pay a fee of £44 (as of 06.04.11)
The Criminal Records Bureau will provide an enhanced disclosure to the local authority and a copy will be sent to your address. The enhanced disclosure will include all current and spent convictions, cautions, motor offences and police intelligence. The information is dealt with in the strictest confidence by the local authority who will use it to determine if a licence can be issued.
*Please enquire with the Licensing Team if an enhanced disclosure certificate has been issued to you in the last six months.
A private hire driver licence usually lasts for one year from the date of issue. If you choose not to renew your licence at that point, you will be required to complete and pay for a new Criminal Records Bureau application when you do reapply.
The cost for processing a new application for a private hire driver licence has changed as of 06 April 2010 (please contact the Licensing Team for more details), plus £44 for the Criminal Records Check.
To renew a private hire driver licence is £41, plus £44 if a Criminal Records Check is required (every three years).
Some doctors may charge for the completion of a 'medical certificate' and you are advised to contact your surgery to clarify this cost.
The Licensing Team will not process an application unless the necessary fee is paid in advance. Please send a cheque (made payable to Bolton Council) or postal order for the payment to the Licensing Unit - the postal address is on the right hand side of this page, or alternatively telephone the Team and pay by credit/debit card - the contact telephone number is on the right hand side of this page. Credit cards are subject to a 1.463% surcharge, this reflects the banks charges to the Council for accepting credit card payments.
This process is changing - to simplify the application and payment procedure the Licensing Team is working hard to develop an on line application and payment system. This will be available before the end of 2010.
Once a private hire driver licence is issued, all drivers are required to abide by the 'private hire driver conditions' attached to the licence. A copy of the 'private hire driver conditions' are attached to the right hand side of this page.
You can access the public register by clicking on the link at the right hand side of this page.
Alternatively, you can view the public register for Private Hire Drivers by contacting the Licensing Team by email (licensing.unit@bolton.gov.uk), telephone or in writing. The address and telephone number are provided at the right hand side of this page. The register is available in paper format, which you can view at the Licensing Unit by appointment.
If you wish to compliment, complain or comment on a private hire driver please complete the ‘enquiry form’ listed to the right hand side of this page. Once you have completed the form, click on file then save and attach this file to an email and forward it electronically to the Licensing Team (licensing.unit@bolton.gov.uk), or print the completed form and send it through the post. Alternatively you can contact the Licensing Team to request a pack. The address and contact telephone number is shown on the right hand side of this page.