Taxi and minicab licence
Taxi and minicab licence
Local authorities are responsible for licensing hackney carriages, private hire vehicles, drivers and private hire operators.
Taxi licensing
Taxi licence applications
New vehicle applications
Applicants are advised to contact the licensing section to discuss prior to buying a vehicle or submitting an application.
The preferred contact method with the licensing department is by e-mail:
- licensing@northumberland.gov.uk
- Alternatively, applicants can ring the Councils Customer Services Centre on 0345 600 6400
Hackney Carriages
A hackney carriage is a public transport vehicle with no more than eight passenger seats and is licensed for customers to hire. It may stand at ranks, be hailed in the street by members of the public, or can be used on a pre-booked basis.
As a result of local government reorganisation in Northumberland, there are currently six hackney carriage zones:
- Alnwick
- Berwick-upon-Tweed
- Blyth Valley
- Castle Morpeth
- Tynedale
- Wansbeck
A hackney carriage licensed in one zone may not be licensed for hire in another in Northumberland, or elsewhere in the country. Relevant bylaws apply to each zone, to control the conduct of both proprietors and drivers.
The law allows a council to require that a hackney carriage is clearly identified through design features. The council has applied standards for hackney carriages to ensure they are:
- suitable in type, size and design
- in a suitable mechanical condition
- safe
- comfortable
In addition to the above general requirements, the council has exercised its discretion to apply the following standards:
- Clear display of a licence plate provided by the council on the exterior of the vehicle. It must be securely attached to the rear of the vehicle by rivets, bolts or screws, an alternative location may be agreed upon to accommodate the vehicle design.
- Fitted with an approved taxi meter and sealed to the satisfaction of the council.
- Clear display of a council-supplied door marker, placed centrally on each of the front doors of the vehicle. The markers are to be securely fixed to the vehicle doors at all times.
- Fitted with a roof sign of a particular size and design. Please see here for more details about Hackney Carriage roof signs.
- Display the vehicle licensing details inside the vehicle in a form provided by the council.
- Permit any passenger to communicate with the driver, either directly or through an approved communication system.
- Have adequate space for luggage and folded wheelchair.
- Each individual seat must be a minimum of 400mm (16") in width. The council may reduce the permitted number of passengers specified by the vehicle manufacturer. The licensing officer will determine this if the seating doesn't conform, or for other reasons associated with the comfort and safety of passengers.
Applications for a new hackney carriage vehicle licence must demonstrate a vehicle suitable in type, size and construction to carry people in wheelchairs.
Hackney Carriage guidance and application forms
New Hackney Carriage:
Hackney Carriage vehicle replacement:
- How to replace your Hackney Carriage Application Form
- How to replace your Hackney Carriage Guidance Notes
Hackney Carriage fees
| Fee | Price |
|---|---|
| Annual vehicle fee (including door insignia and plate) | £241 |
| Annual LPG fee (including door insignia and plate) | £241 |
| Replacement plate | £23 |
| Replacement insignias | £9 each |
Private Hire vehicles
Private hire vehicles must have no more than eight passenger seats and must be booked in advance through a licensed private hire operator. They cannot be hired in the street.
Any vehicle used as a private hire vehicle must be licensed under section 48(1)(a) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, which requires the council to be satisfied that any vehicle is:
- Suitable in type, size and design.
- Not have a design and appearance that may lead a person to believe it is a hackney carriage.
- In a suitable, safe mechanical condition.
- Comfortable.
In addition to the statutory requirements as set out above, the council has exercised its discretion and private hire vehicles must also:
- Not be fitted with a roof sign of any description. This could lead a person to believe that the vehicle is a hackney carriage.
- Clearly display a licence plate provided by the council on the exterior of the rear of the vehicle. This must be securely attached to the vehicle by rivets, bolts or screws.
- Display a door marker supplied by the council centrally on each of the front doors of the vehicle. The markers should be securely fixed to vehicle doors at all times.
- Display the vehicle licensing details inside the vehicle in a form provided by the council.
- Permit any passenger to communicate with the driver, either directly or through an approved communication system.
- Have a boot or load carrying area with adequate space for the safe and secure storage of luggage. Saloon or estate vehicles should not have this area within the passenger compartment. This area should never interfere with the safe access and exit of passengers and the minimum space required must allow a folded wheelchair to be carried.
If the vehicle is fitted with a meter, it must be properly tested, sealed and approved by the council. The seating capacity of the vehicle will be determined by the council. Each individual seat must be a minimum of 400mm (16") in width. If the seating does not conform to this, or if the comfort and safety of the passengers is questioned, the council may reduce the permitted number of passengers.
Private Hire vehicle guidance and application forms
New Private Hire:
Private Hire Vehicle Replacement:
- How to replace your Private Hire Vehicle Application Form
- How to replace your Private Hire Vehicle Guidance Notes
Private Hire vehicle fees
| Fees | Price |
|---|---|
| Annual vehicle fee (including door insignia and plate) | £241 |
| Annual LPG fee (including door insignia and plate) | £241 |
| Replacement plate | £23 |
| Replacement insignias | £9 each |
| Vehicle transfer between licensees fee | £33 |
New Hackney Carriage Tariff
The current hackney carriage tariff is as follows:
TARIFF 1
- For the first 500 yards or part thereof - £2.70
- For each subsequent 86 yards or part thereof - 10p
- Waiting time: per 30 seconds or part thereof - 20p
TARIFF 2: Between 11pm and 7am and all day Sundays and Public Holidays
- For the first 500 yards or part thereof - £3.30
- For each subsequent 68 yards or part thereof - 10p
- Waiting time per 30 seconds or part thereof - 20p
TARIFF 3: Between 6pm on 24 December and 3am on 27 December and between 6pm on 31 December and 3am on 2 January
- For the first 500 yards or part thereof - £5.30
- For each subsequent 86 yards or part thereof - 20p
- Waiting time: per 30 seconds or part thereof - 40p
TARIFF 4 (More than four passengers)
- For the first 500 yards or part thereof - £3.10
- For each subsequent 86 yards or part thereof - 10p
- Waiting time: per 30 seconds or part thereof - 20p
TARIFF 5: (More than four passengers) Between 11pm and 7am and all day Sundays and Public Holidays
- For the first 500 yards or part thereof - £3.60
- For each subsequent 68 yards or part thereof - 10p
- Waiting time per 30 seconds or part thereof - 20p
TARIFF 6: (More than four passengers) Between 6pm on 24 December and 3am on 27 December and between 6pm on 31 December and 3am on 2 January
- For the first 500 yards or part thereof - £5.30
- For each subsequent 86 yards or part thereof - 20p
- Waiting time: per 30 seconds or part thereof - 40p
Soiling Charge (except children under 14 years of age) - £63.00
Dogs (excluding guide dogs) or other animal - £1.10
Each item of Luggage, pram, wheeled trolley - £1.10
Drivers
To issue a licence, the council must be satisfied the applicant is fit to hold a driver's licence and has been entitled to drive a motor car for at least 12 months.
The council's duty is to ensure that conditions are met, and each applicant must be able to demonstrate this. In addition to the statutory requirements, the council will exercise its discretion and all applicants are subject to additional conditions.
All new applicants for driver's licences will be required to:
- Pass a knowledge test.
- Complete a child and adult sexual exploitation awareness course.
- Submit a medical certificate.
- Provide access to their driving entitlement/endorsements.
- Apply for an enhanced disclosure and barring service certificate (DBS).
- Provide proof of their identity and entitlement to work in the UK.
Please click here for a sample list of questions you may get on the Hackney Carriage test.
DBS Applications
Applicants are required to use the online system to submit DBS applications.
The website address is: https://www.matrixscreening.com/nereo The organisation reference is: NCCPPL Password: NCC
Please click here for guidance notes on this system.
For specific queries regarding medical issues or criminal convictions, please contact the licensing section for informal advice.
Knowledge tests
You will need to pass a knowledge test To book a knowledge test please email licensing@northumberland.gov.uk A member of the team will take your payment and book you onto the next available test or at a time convenient to you.
Child & Adult Sexual Exploitation Training (CASE)
To book onto the training please email licensing@northumberland.gov.uk A member of the team will take your payment and book you onto the next available training session.
For specific queries regarding medical issues or criminal convictions, please contact the licensing section for informal advice.
Revoked and Refused Taxi Drivers
National Register (NR3)
Northumberland County Council has signed up to the national register of revoked and refused hackney carriage and private hire drivers (known as NR3). As such, any driver who has had their drivers licence revoked, or had their application refused, will have their details recorded on this register.
This is being done to protect the public by ensuring that licensing authorities are aware of drivers who have been refused or revoked when determining whether a new licence application should be granted.
If you have had or have your driver's licence revoked, or a driver's application refused, your details will be submitted to the NR3 register.
For more information on this matter please refer to our policy on the National Register of Taxi Licence Revocations and Refusals (NR3).
Driver guidance and application forms
New driver
- New driver information sheet
- New Hackney Carriage driver application
- New Private Hire driver application
Drivers fees
| Driver fees | Price |
|---|---|
| Driver annual fee (including badge) | £85 |
| Driver fee (two year licence) | £122 |
| Driver fee (three year licence) | £159 |
| Replacement badge | £12 |
| Additional drivers for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire | £30 |
| Replacement badge | £12 |
| Driver knowledge test (initial test) | £23 |
| Driver knowledge test (re-sit) | £23 |
| DBS application fee | £49.50 |
| DBS admin fee | £23 |
Operators
A Private Hire vehicle may only be dispatched to a customer by a person or a company that holds an operator's licence. Such a licence permits the operator to invite or accept bookings for a Private Hire vehicle.
Operator application forms
Private Hire Operator application form.
Fees schedule licences
Here you will find information on taxi licensing fees.
Click here to download a printable version of the taxi fees schedule.
Wheelchair accessible vehicles
Guidance for wheelchair users in private hire vehicles and taxis.
The Equality Act 2010 imposes a duty on drivers of designated vehicles (both hackney carriage and private hire) when dealing with passengers travelling in wheelchairs.
It shall be a condition of a hackney carriage proprietors licence for a wheelchair accessible vehicle, that the proprietor shall ensure at all times that the vehicle is driven by a "competent person" who has received "suitable and sufficient" training in the correct operation and use of any ramps, lifting equipment, fixings or other equipment designed to assist with the access and egress of passengers using wheelchairs or their comfort and safety when being transported in the vehicle.
Our Taxi Policy states that: Where an application is made for a new hackney carriage vehicle licence, the vehicle shall be suitable in type, size and construction to carry persons in wheelchairs. Where a licence is in force for a wheelchair accessible vehicle, proprietors shall only be permitted to replace the vehicle, with a vehicle that is suitable in type, size and construction to carry persons in wheelchairs. The council has also agreed additional vehicle conditions dealing with other matters which are attached at Appendix A. Additional conditions may be attached to the grant of a licence as are considered reasonably necessary on an individual basis. The council is committed to meeting the needs of disabled people and will continue to consult and work with hackney carriage vehicle proprietors, disability organisations and appropriate December 2015 12 stakeholders with the aim of producing an accessibility policy and suitable disability awareness training.
Under section 167 of The Equality Act 2010, this public register shows all designated wheelchair-accessible vehicles that are approved by us and are capable of carrying a reference-size wheelchair:
- To the best of our knowledge, the vehicles on the designated list are capable of carrying those wheelchairs which accord with the 'Reference wheelchair' as defined in the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 2000.
Click here to view our list of designated vehicles.
Any driver of one of the designated vehicles on our list must:
- not refuse to carry passengers sitting in their wheelchairs
- not refuse assistance to those passengers
- not charge passengers in wheelchairs extra for their journey
Failure to comply with these requirements would mean a driver would commit an offence under The Equality Act 2010, which on summary of conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding £1000.
We can exempt drivers from duties to assist passengers in wheelchairs if they are satisfied that it is appropriate to do so on medical grounds or because the driver's physical condition makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for them to comply with the duties.
Statutory guidance
GOV.UK statutory guidance for wheelchair users of private hire vehicles and taxis.
Passenger Guidance
Guidance for passengers using a taxi (Hackney Carriage) or Private Hire Vehicle
How to tell if a taxi or private hire vehicle is licensed;
In Northumberland, private hire vehicles will display a yellow licence plate to the rear of the vehicle and have matching door decals. Hackney Carriages (taxis), will display a blue licence plate and matching door decals and a roof sign.
Differences between taxis and private hire vehicles;
- a taxi can be flagged down or pre-booked.
- a private hire vehicle that has not been pre-booked should not be used as it will not be insured and may not be licensed.
- the benefit of pre-booking a return vehicle before going out.
- arrange to be picked up from a safe meeting point.
- requesting at the time of booking what the fare is likely to be.
When using a private hire vehicle, passengers should always:
- book with a licensed operator.
- confirm their booking with the driver when s/he arrives.
- note the licence number.
- sit in the back, behind the driver.
- let a third party know details of their journey.
When using a taxi (hackney carriage), passengers should where possible:
- use a taxi rank and choose one staffed by taxi marshals if available.
Hackney Carriage and private hire licensing policy
Licensing policy for Hackney Carriages and Private Hire vehicles
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