Private hire operator

On 28th February 2022 a meeting of Full Council approved the following amendment to the emissions section of the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Policy.

This Council extend the introduction of the emission date from 1st April 2022 to 1st October 2022 and amends the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2019-22 accordingly.

Any vehicles that are coming to end of life (7 years for private hire vehicle and 10 years for hackney carriage vehicle) will come off the road, in line with the end of life age limit, before the 1st October 2022.

The cost of renewal will be £69, details will be sent out to those drivers affected in due course.

Summary

To operate private hire vehicles in East Staffordshire, you need a Private Hire Operator's Licence. A Private Hire Vehicle Operator Licence may be applied for by a company or partnership.

It is a requirement for all new Private Hire Operators to demonstrate adequate English Language skills and therefore undertake and pass an English Language skills assessment (came into force on the 01 March 2020), prior to submission of your application.

To operate standard private hire vehicles. A private hire vehicle should be less than 7 years old, carry a maximum of 8 passengers. The vehicle must also display door panels including the ESBC Logo, name of operator and telephone number.

Fees

£452.00 (5 year operator licence)

£43.00 Knowledge Test

£28.99 (English Language Skills Assessment)

Application form & guidance notes

Guidance Notes for English Language Oral Skills Assessment
Download the Private Hire Vehicle Operators licence application form - COMPLETED NEW OPERATOR APPLICATION FORMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ORAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN AND PASSED. APPOINTMENTS WILL BE ALLOCATED FOR SUBMISSION OF OPERAPTOR APPLICATION FORMS THEREAFTER.
Notification of Change of Proprietor/Operator
Procedure for Private Hire Operator Applicants
Private Hire Operator Conditions
Driver's Dress Code
Guidelines on the relevance of convictions
Enforcement Intervention Scheme
Knowledge Test - Once you have submitted your application an appointment for your knowledge test will be sent to you. The test will be a written assessment and you will be required to produce photographic identification before sitting the test. You will be tested on the Operator Licence Conditions. New applications will only be valid for six months. If you are required to appear before the General Licensing Sub Committee, the application will only be valid for three months from the date of the Committee hearing.
Child restraints & seatbelts leaflets
CSE Leaflet
Change of Base Address

Attachments required

Basic DBS Certificate (issued within 30 days) - a basic DBS status check is required on an annual basis
Adequate identification documents i.e., passport or UK driving licence etc

Legislation

To qualify as an Operator you must:

Have no relevant convictions or been determined by the General Licensing Sub Committee to be a fit and proper person
pass a knowledge test and English and language skills assessment

Validity & renewals

5 years

Complaints

Please contact Taxi Licensing in the first instance.

Email

licensing@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk

Go to private hire vehicle licences for other application forms in relation to Private Hire Vehicle Operators

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