The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 requires a vehicle used to carry members of the public for hire and reward, to be licensed by the Local Authority.
Who needs to register a private hire vehicle?
How do I register a private hire vehicle or renew my current licence?
How long does my licence last for?
How much will it cost?
What else will I need to do?
What additional processes do I need to consider?
I want to compliment, complain or comment on a private hire vehicle.
Who needs to register a private hire vehicle?
Any vehicle that is provided for hire with the services of a driver and is used for the purpose of carrying passengers for payment or reward, must obtain a licence from the Local Authority.
The motor vehicle must be constructed or adapted to seat fewer than nine passengers (stretch limousines are included). It may not be a hackney carriage (London style cab/taxi) or public service vehicle.
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 vehicle licences issued by the Local Authority. A licensed private hire vehicle will frequently carry young children and vulnerable adults as passengers. Safety is paramount – private hire vehicle licence holders (proprietors) are in a position of great responsibility. A private hire vehicle often creates the first impression of Bolton for many of the town’s visitors.
How do I register a private hire vehicle or renew my current licence?
Before completing an application form, please ensure you read through the 'private hire vehicle guidance notes' which is contained in the pack. These are available to download and are listed on the right hand side of this page.
Contact the Licensing Team to request an application pack. The address and contact telephone number is shown on the right hand side of this page.
The Local Authority will only accept an application to licence a private hire vehicle if the vehicle complies with the following specifications:
- the vehicle must not be a London approved hackney carriage style or similar vehicle
- the vehicle must not be a left hand drive vehicle
- the vehicle must not be a convertible i.e. have a soft top
- the vehicle must have at least four doors
- the vehicle must have a capacity for at least four adult passengers
- hire cars may be licensed for up to eight passengers (small mini-buses etc), only if the following rules are followed:
(i) all passenger seats face to the front
(ii) all seats are positioned to ensure the comfort and safety of the passenger
(iii) there are at least two separate means of exit for all passengers seated to the rear of the driver's seat. The exits and paths to the exits must not be obstructed by seating, wheel arches, engine cowling, vehicle trim or other protrusions, so that passengers have a second means of exit in case the first is unavailable either because of malfunction or accident
(iv) there are no tip-up seats used
(v) saloon cars or estates which are promoted as seven or eight seats will only be licensed for four passengers. The very rear seat passengers are required to pass tip-up seats (e.g. Peugeot, Citroen)
(vi) that the vehicle is type approved, and you can provide the necessary confirmation that the vehicle is approved - a V5 registration document (log book) indicating that the vehicle is M1 type approved (shown in the vehicle category at line J), or that the vehicle was manufactured as an M2 vehicle, which is a minibus with more than 8 passenger seats, and the only modification is the removal of the rearmost seats to reduce the seating capacity. The V5 will show M2 in the Vehicle Category at line J. For vehicles converted from vans or imported from outside the EU a Minister’s Approval Certificate issued by the Vehicle Type Approval Agency is required. This is also known as an Standard Voluntary SVA (Single Vehicle Approval).
There is no restriction on the age, make, model or engine size of a private hire vehicle provided the above standards are complied with and the vehicle passes a satisfactory test.
Licensed private hire vehicles are not allowed to tow trailers.
Vehicles must carry a fire extinguisher either a two litre AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) or 1.5kg dry powder type
To apply for the first time or renew a private hire vehicle licence, you will need to:
- complete the ‘private hire vehicle application form'. Please contact the Licensing Team for the necessary application forms
- pay the licence fee of £71.00 for a six month licence or £136.00 for a twelve month licence (only a vehicle under the age of three years that travels less than 50,000 miles per annum can be issued with a twelve months licence)
- pay £34 for the vehicle identification plate – this only applies if the application is a first grant
- provide a vehicle Pass Certificate – please read the following documents attached to the right hand side of this page:
(i) testing requirements
(ii) the list of approved testing stations
(iii) the approved bodywork standards
- produce a valid original insurance certificate or cover note in the applicants name and for the vehicle to be licensed
- complete a private hire operator fare card notification form, which is available to download and listed to the right hand side of this page. This must be signed by the operator you intend to be work through
- provide proof of ownership, which only applies if the application is a first grant - you will be required to produce proof that you have a proprietary interest in the vehicle to which the application refers.
The acceptable forms of such proof are:
(i) a V5 registration document in the name of the proprietor or,
(ii) a bill of sale, which is dated and contains the full name and address of the seller, the purchaser, a full description of the vehicle including make, model and registration number or,
(iii) a hire purchase agreement which is dated, contains the details of the vehicle and the full details of the persons to whom the agreement applies, or,
(iv) a lease agreement containing full details of the vehicle, the lessee and the lessor
Usually on receipt of these items a licence, the vehicle identification plate and stickers, and an operator fare card will be issued. Contact the Licensing Unit Team for further information on licence identification on a private hire vehicle. The address and contact telephone number is shown on the right hand side of this page.
Private hire vehicle licences are normally issued for six months, however, if a vehicle is less than three years old (from the date of registration) and will travel less than 50,000 miles per annum a twelve month licence may be issued. Where a vehicle travels more than 50,000 miles per annum, it must be tested twice a year and a six monthly licence will be issued.
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 vehicle licence usually lasts for six months, or for one year if the vehicle is under three years of age and travels less than 50,000 mile per annum.
How much will it cost?
The fee for a new private hire vehicle licence, or to renew an existing licence is £71 for a six month licence, or £136 for a twelve month licence (twelve months is for vehicles under three years of age only). There is an additional fee for the vehicle identification plates which is £34.
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.
What else will I need to do?
Once a private hire vehicle licence is issued, all vehicle proprietors and drivers are required to abide by the 'private hire vehicle conditions' attached to the licence. A copy of the 'private hire vehicle conditions' is available from the Lincensing Unit Team. The address and contact telephone number is shown on the right hand side of this page.
What additional processes do I need to consider?
When a vehicle holds a private hire vehicle licence, there must always be a policy of vehicle insurance in place. The Licensing Team will write to you and request a certificate if the details held by the Team have expired. Failure to provide proof of this cover is an offence.
If you wish to transfer the ownership of a private hire vehicle licence, this must be completed within fourteen days of the transfer, or an offence is committed. Please complete the application form ‘application to transfer a private hire vehicle licence’, attached on the right hand side of this page. The fee is £46.00 for the change of ownership. Both you and the new owner are required to complete the application form. The new owner is required to submit an insurance policy or cover note for the vehicle in their name.
If you wish to change a vehicle currently covered by your private hire vehicle licence, please complete the application form ‘application to change a private hire vehicle licence’, attached on the right hand side of this page. The fee is calculated by deducting the full remaining months on the current licence from the full renewal/application fee. You are required to provide proof of ownership and that have a proprietary interest in the vehicle to which the application refers. The acceptable forms of such proof are:
(i) a V5 registration document in the name of the proprietor or,
(ii) a bill of sale, which is dated and contains the full name and address of the seller, the purchaser, a full description of the vehicle including make, model and registration number or,
(iii) a hire purchase agreement which is dated, contains the details of the vehicle and the full details of the persons to whom the agreement applies, or,
(iv) a lease agreement containing full details of the vehicle, the lessee and the lessor
I want to compliment, complain or comment on a private hire vehicle.
If you wish to compliment, complain or comment on a private hire vehicle 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.