Private hire operator licence

Taxi Trade Updates

Including information in relation to Covid-19.

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Service update – Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licences

Due to the unprecedented number of incorrect and/or incomplete applications, and a significant increase in the number of direct contacts with individual applicants (both by email and telephone), our business process for managing online applications has been reviewed and amended.

To enable us to manage the high volume of applications, and to ensure that licences are issued in a timely manner, incorrect or incomplete driver applications will now be rejected and a refund issued.

Any rejected applications will need to be resubmitted with the error(s) corrected, and the full fee paid. Failure to do so, will result in the application again being rejected. The Licensing Service is unable to offer applicants a document checking service, so it is vitally important that all supporting documentation is correctly and fully completed, in date and attached to the application.

Driver renewal applications need to be submitted at least 8 weeks before the expiry of the licence (noting that drivers are permitted to submit their renewal application up to 12 weeks before expiry). If a driver renewal application is received after this period, we cannot guarantee that the licence will be issued prior to expiry.

We thank you for your support and cooperation with this matter.

What do I need to do?

You will need to email the completed Application to operate private hire vehicles form to licensing.unit@bolton.gov.uk (please note: typed names are accepted as signatures).

Payment for the licence. Please see Licensing Fees and Charges for details

Written planning permission or a certificate of lawfulness. You can get this from the planning department (this is only required upon application and if additional premises are added to a licence)

Private limited companies must provide the following:             

  • a list of directors and company secretary on letter headed paper with their signatures, which must include their contact details and addresses
  • 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)

How long does my licence last for?

A private hire operator lasts for five years from the date of issue and is not transferable.

What else do I need to do?

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 further information please contact us.