The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 requires a person that accepts bookings from a member of the public (for a journey completed by a private hire vehicle and driver) to be licensed by the Local Authority.
Who needs to register as a private hire operator?
How do I register a private hire operator or renew my current licence?
How long does my licence last for?
How much will it cost?
What else will I need to do?
I want to compliment, complain or comment on a private hire operator.
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. This booking must be with a licensed private hire operator.
Usually a private hire operator will operate from an office space, accepting telephone bookings and walk in customers. Airport services, chauffeuring services, executive hire, and prestige hire (including stretch limousines) all require private hire operator licences under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. The only vehicles currently exempt are those used in direct conjunction with a wedding or funeral.
There are no limits placed on the number of private hire operators licences issued by Bolton Council.
Before completing an application form, please ensure you read through the 'private hire guidance notes'. These are available to download and are listed on the right hand side of this page.
The ‘private hire operator application form’ is available to download and is also 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 print the competed 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 applying for the first time or renewing a private hire operator licence, you will need to:
- complete the 'private hire operator application form' on the right hand side of this page, or contact the Licensing Team for the necessary application forms.
- pay the appropriate fee:
(i) 01 vehicle £140.00
(ii) 02 - 05 vehicles £234.00
(iii) 06 - 10 vehicles £336.00
(iv) 11 - 15 vehicles £434.00
(v) 16 - 20 vehicles £538.00
(vi) 21 - 25 vehicles £639.00
(vii) 26 - 30 vehicles £737.00
(viii) 31 - 35 vehicles £837.00
For more than 35 vehicles – each additional 5 vehicles will cost £102.00, to move the band upwards within the duration of a licence is £135.00.
- provide written planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness, which can be obtained from the Planning and Development Department, Planning Control Section, Planning Division, Development and Regeneration Department, Bolton Council, 3rd Floor, Town Hall, Victoria Square, Bolton. BL1 1RU. Telephone: (01204) 336000. Fax: (01204) 336399. Email: planning.control@bolton.gov.uk (this is only required upon application and if additional premises are added to a licence)
- Private Limited Companies must provide the following
- Complete on a company letterhead a list of directors and the Company Secretary with their signatures which must include their contact details and address(es).
- Certificate of Incorporation.
- The date on which the return is made up.
- The principal business activities of the company.
- The type of company eg private or public.
- The registered office address of the company.
- The address where the records relating to the 'taxi' business conducted by the company are held (if not at the registered office).
Please note checks will be made with Companies House
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 in 2010.
How long does my licence last for?
A private hire operator licence usually lasts for one year from the date of issue and is not transferable.
The annual fee to apply or renew a private hire operator licence is as follows:
(i) 01 vehicle £140.00
(ii) 02 - 05 vehicles £234.00
(iii) 06 - 10 vehicles £336.00
(iv) 11 - 15 vehicles £434.00
(v) 16 - 20 vehicles £538.00
(vi) 21 - 25 vehicles £639.00
(vii) 26 - 30 vehicles £737.00
(viii) 31 - 35 vehicles £837.00
If you operate more than 35 vehicles – each additional 5 vehicles will cost £102.00, to move the band upwards within the duration of a licence is £135.00.
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 Team is working hard to develop an on line application and payment system. This will be available in 2010.
Once a private hire operator licence is issued, all operators are required to abide by the 'private hire operator conditions' attached to the licence, for example (extracts and numbering from the 'private hire operator conditions'):
15. The Licensee shall ensure that each private hire vehicle which is operated under the terms of this licence:
a. is kept clean on both the interior and the exterior
b. carries all the notices and identification required by the private hire vehicle licence
c. is insured for the purposes of hire or reward
d. is licensed as a private hire vehicle by Bolton Council
e. is maintained in such mechanical and structural condition as will ensure continued compliance with the conditions relating to a private hire vehicle Licence.
23. The Licensee shall ensure that a prompt, efficient and reliable service is provided to members of the public at all reasonable times and in accordance with levels of service advertised and in particular:
a. ensure that when a vehicle has been hired, the vehicle is in attendance at the appointed time and place, unless delayed or prevented by sufficient cause.
b. the vehicle despatched to a hiring shall be licensed for use as a private hire vehicle by Bolton Council
c. the vehicle shall be driven by a person who is the holder of a current, valid private hire driver licence issued by Bolton Council.
24. Acceptance of Hiring
a. the Licensee shall ensure that adequate staff and telephones are available to provide an efficient service.
b. no hiring shall be accepted other than by staff based at the premises from which the Licensee is permitted to operate his business by this Licence, and who are employed for that purpose.
c. the use of ‘call forwarding’ facilities or any other variation from 24(b) shall not be permitted except with the written permission of the Council
25. When a hiring is accepted the Licensee shall immediately cause to be made (before commencement of the journey), a permanent record of the details of the hiring. Such record shall contain all the details prescribed below in full and, where the record is written it must be made in ink:
i. the day and date
ii. the full name of the person or organisation making the booking
iii. the name of the person travelling and the number of passengers
iv. how the booking was received
v. time of pick-up
vi. point of pick-up
vii. destination
viii. information to indicate vehicle used and driver
ix. remarks including details of any sub-contract
x. the person taking the booking
xi. if a fare is agreed for the journey, the amount
The records detailed above shall be kept for a period of not less than six months from the date to which the latest record relates.
26. The Licensee shall inform the Council, in writing, of the normal scale of fares which will be charged by all vehicles operated under the authority of this Licence.
The method of calculation of fares shall be from point of picking up to point of dropping off.
‘Round Trip’ or ’Office to Office’ methods of calculating fares shall not be permitted.
A full copy of the 'private hire operator conditions' is attached to the right hand side of this page.
If you wish to compliment, complain or comment on a private hire operator - it might assist in the resolution of a complaint to first approach the operator and outline your concerns. If you are unhappy with the resolution or would prefer the Licensing Team to deal with the matter, please complete the ‘licensing 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.