Taxi licences
Summary
We are responsible for licensing all hire vehicles operating in South Norfolk that are provided with a driver and less than nine passenger seats. If you want to apply for a license, download the application form – and make sure you follow the step-by-step guide below to fill it in.
We can now accept applications for stretch limousine or Cadillac private hire vehicle licenses - again, all the necessary forms are available below.
How to apply for a taxi license
- Download the guidance notes, which explain everything you will need to consider before beginning an application, and the list of fees (under 'Downloads');
- Download the relevant application form (under 'Printable forms'):
- Application for a License to Drive a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle;
- Application for a Vehicle License;
- Application for a Limousine or Cadillac Private Hire Vehicle License;
- Application for a Private Hire Vehicle Operator's License, or;
- Medical Certificate. - Print the application form out and complete it;
- Make sure you know the appropriate fee - see our Making payments to South Norfolk Council section for details of how you can pay us;
- Return completed applications to the Licensing Team at the address at the foot of this page;
- If you are in any doubt about which forms to use or what information to provide, speak to us first - our contact details are at the foot of this page.
Printable forms
The following link(s) require a plug-in, and will open in a new browser window [
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Download the Application for a Vehicle License [PDF, 109 Kb]
Download the Application for Stretch Limousine/Cadillac Private Hire Vehicle License [PDF, 57 Kb]
Download the Application for a Private Hire Vehicle Operator's License [PDF, 122 Kb]
Download the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Exemption Certificate [PDF, 51 Kb]
Downloads
The following link(s) require a plug-in, and will open in a new browser window []. About downloading files.
Download the Taxi licensing guidance notes [PDF, 234 Kb]
Download the Taxi License fees [PDF, 55 Kb]
Download the Inspection Manual for Hackney Carriages & Private Hire Vehicles [PDF, 1405 Kb]
Download the Manual of inspection standards for stretch limousines [PDF, 1224 Kb]
Further information
Types of taxi license
There are two types of taxi license:
- public hire vehicles (hackney carriages), and;
- vehicles which are only available by prior booking (private hire vehicles).
The description ‘taxi’ should only be used for a hackney carriage - any hire vehicle is usually known as a ‘taxi’ by the public.
What's the difference between a hackney carriage and a private hire vehicle?
Hackney carriages
A licensed hackney carriage may ply for hire from an appointed hackney carriage stand in the district in which it is licensed, or may be hailed in a street in that district, or take advanced bookings.
Private hire vehicles
A licensed private hire vehicle may only take on journeys in response to advance bookings. The charges for journeys are not subject to district council control, and should be agreed with the clients prior to the journey.
The operator of the vehicle must also hold a private hire operators licence.
The licensing process
Before any vehicle is licensed it is tested at a designated vehicle workshop. The test covers the vehicle's mechanics, general appearance and comfort for passengers.
We are also responsible for the licensing of the drivers of both classes of vehicle. We must make sure that all drivers are ‘fit and proper persons’ to be licensed so checks on an applicant’s background are made.
Criminal records & enforcement
As part of making sure drivers are suitable for the job, we carry out criminal records checks. For more information, visit the Criminal Records Bureau website [external link].
We also have a responsibility as the 'Enforcement Agency' of the drivers and vehicles we have licensed. Enforcement covers criminal offences related to ‘taxi’ legislation, drivers’ behaviour, the condition of the vehicles and the investigation of complaints made by the public against any licence holder.
Suspending & revoking licenses
As well as granting and issuing licences we can also suspend or revoke licences, and take court action if necessary against any offending licence holder.
Licensing and enforcement is carried out by Council-appointed Authorised Officers for that purpose, and they have been given written authority to do so, as well as having a Council identity badge.
External links
Criminal Records Bureau: Disclosure Service
The organisation that does criminal record checks for us, which we need for anyone applying for a license.
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Licensing Team |
|---|---|
| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | licensingteam@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01508 533704 or 01508 533687 |
| fax: | 01508 533695 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk Council South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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If you need information in large print, audio cassette, braille, translation (written or verbal) or signed interpretation, let us know when you contact us.
