Hackney carriage
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.Service update – Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licences
A hackney carriage is:
- Commonly known as a 'taxi'
- Either purpose built 'London style' cabs (often called 'black cabs', but sometimes a different colour) or saloon cars with a sign on the roof
- Has a white plate on the rear of the vehicle stating that it is a hackney carriage
- Can operate from taxi ranks within the Borough or can be 'flagged down' in the street
- Can only be driven by a driver licensed by us for hackney carriage.