Private hire vehicle licences
Private hire vehicles:
- must be pre-booked. They can not be hailed in the street
- can not use taxi ranks
You must have a licence to use your vehicle as a private hire vehicle.
What you will need
- proof of insurance
- valid MOT – unless the vehicle is exempt
- V5 or proof of purchase
- LOLER and weight test certificate (wheelchair accessible vehicles only)
Costs
Licence Fees and Charges 2024 to 2025 - pdf - 235 Kb
Vehicle requirements
- for new and transfer applications, the vehicle must be less than 5 years old from the date of first registration
- for renewal applications, the vehicle must be less than 15 years old from date of first registration
- it must have no smoking signs, a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher
Wheelchair accessible vehicles are exempt from the age requirements. Other specialist vehicles may also be exempt.
Licence renewals
You can renew your licence at a reduced cost if you return the application form at least 7 days before your licence expires.
If your licence has expired, you’ll need to apply for a new licence at the full cost.
It is your responsibility to check the expiry date of your licence. We will not send you a reminder or any other documentation.
Apply
Return your completed application form, supporting documents and fee to ers@cotswold.gov.uk.
Or you can post them to us at:
Licensing, Environmental and Regulatory Services
Cotswold District Council
Trinity Road
Cirencester
GL7 1PX
How you can pay
- Pay online - renewal only
- by phone (01285) 623000
- by cheque sent with your application form made payable to Cotswold District Council
We’ll process your application within 5 working days.
Licence transfers
You can transfer your licence to another vehicle or person. Use the form below to apply.
Transfer applications have the same requirements as new vehicles. We’ll process them within one working day.
We will not refund any licences.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service)
If you are not a licensed driver or private hire operator with Cotswold District Council, you will need to submit a basic DBS check with your application. Please visit the DBS for further information: https://www.gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record These must be carried out on an annual basis.
Report an accident
You must notify us if you have an accident that affects your vehicle or customer convenience. Complete the accident form below and return it to ers@cotswold.gov.uk no more than 72 hours after the accident.
Hackney carriage private hire accident report form - docx - 56 Kb
