Taxi licensing - hackney carriage vehicles

What will it cost?

A hackney carriage vehicle licence will be issued for 12 months: 

At present the licence fee for both new and renewal applications in respect of wheelchair accessible vehicles has been waived.

Find out more about taxi fees and fares.

How do I pay?

You can pay online if you live in the Hambleton area.

You can apply and pay online if you live in the Harrogate area.

You can pay online if you live in the Selby area.

For all other areas, contact us to pay in person or over the phone - please note we do not accept cash payments.

Whichever payment method you use, please use your licence number if renewing or the full registration if not and your full name as the reference and let us know you have paid.

Required signage for all hackney carriage vehicles

At all times whilst licensed, a hackney carriage vehicle shall display: 

• an external plate provided by the licensing authority securely and permanently affixed to the rear of the vehicle
• an external plate provided by the licensing authority securely and permanently affixed to the front of the vehicle
• a self-adhesive side panel provided by the licensing authority permanently affixed centrally and squarely on each of the front doors of the vehicle
• an internal plate provided by the licensing authority displayed on the passenger side of the dashboard facing into the vehicle
• a sign, capable of being illuminated, bearing the word “TAXI” facing towards the front of the vehicle mounted on the roof of the vehicle. The only other text on the sign shall be the firm’s name and/or telephone number
• at least two adhesive signs advising passengers how to complain to the licensing authority about any licensed driver, vehicle or operator in a position that can be easily read by passengers from the front and rear of the vehicle

You can find  generic guidance on applying vinyl signs to your vehicle here (pdf / 2 MB).

How do I apply to license a hackney carriage vehicle? 

First, read our  Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy (pdf / 675 KB) to make sure that your vehicle meets all the requirements of a hackney carriage vehicle in particular the hackney carriage vehicle specification.

Applications will not be processed by the licensing authority unless we are in receipt of:

• the relevant fully completed application form (see below)
• all supporting documents (see below)
• the appropriate fee

Download the appropriate application form here:

•  hackney carriage and private hire vehicle new (docx / 111 KB) /  hackney carriage and private hire vehicle new (pdf / 243 KB)
•  hackney carriage and private hire vehicle renewal (docx / 96 KB) /  hackney carriage and private hire vehicle renewal (pdf / 248 KB)
•  licensed vehicle transfer Part 1 - existing licence holder (docx / 100 KB) /  licensed vehicle transfer Part 1 - existing licence holder (pdf / 182 KB) and  Part 2 - new proprietor (docx / 177 KB) /  Part 2 - new proprietor (pdf / 265 KB)

Applications should be submitted to your local office or to the local office email address, as shown on the application forms.  If applying by email, we may still need to see you in person with some of your documents.

Supporting documents

You will need to supply the following with your application form:

• the vehicle registration document (V5C) in the name of the proprietor/part-proprietor or formal confirmation from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency that the vehicle has been registered in the applicant’s name. If neither is available, verifiable proof of ownership may be accepted (such as a bill of sale from a reputable firm)
• a current vehicle insurance certificate or cover note which includes the carriage of passengers or goods for public hire or reward
• confirmation that the vehicle has an MOT test Certificate (required for all vehicles aged over one year as from the date of first registration as shown on the vehicle registration document)
• proof that the licensing authority’s testing arrangements have been satisfied
• an appropriate engineer’s report (only for vehicles subject to a Category C, D or N insurance write-off) verifying the standard of repairs. Note, vehicles which have been subject to a Category A, B or S insurance write-off cannot be licensed
• a satisfactory basic criminal record check available from the government website in respect of all proprietors (or in the case of a company or partnership, in respect of all directors or partners). Note, no criminal record check or certificate of good conduct will be required if you have already been deemed suitable to currently hold a hackney carriage or private hire or combined driver badge issued by North Yorkshire Council or one of our predecessor authorities
• a Certificate of Good Conduct (only if the applicant has lived overseas for a period of six months or more in the 10-year period leading up to the date of application)

How long will my hackney carriage vehicle application take?

We will aim to process valid applications within five working days of receipt of all required documents.

For renewals, applications should be made at least two weeks before the expiry date of the current licence to allow reasonable time for the application to be processed. Any application for the renewal of a licence will not be accepted after the date of expiry.

Licence plates will be issued directly to the applicant via a third-party supplier using Royal Mail second class post. It is therefore not possible to collect licence plates from your local office.   

Grandfather rights

As of 1 April 2023, existing licence holders will be given grandfather rights. This means any vehicle licensed prior to 1 April 2023 by any of the predecessor authorities to North Yorkshire Council may remain licensed on renewal until 10 years old or until such time as it would have been permitted by the terms of the relevant predecessor authority’s existing policy (whichever is later). New and replacement vehicles will be subject to the requirements of the new policy.

What if my application is refused?

If the authorised officer has any concerns about an application for the grant of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle licence, it will be referred to the General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee for a decision. If the application is refused by the Sub-Committee, an appeal against the refusal must be made to the relevant court.  Any appeal must be made within 21 days following notice of a decision.

Policy

 Read our hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy (pdf / 675 KB)

Legislation

Read the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 on the Government website

Read the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 on the Government website

Fees and fares

Find out about taxi fees and fares here

Report a licensing issue

Contact us to report a licensing issue.

Privacy notice

Read the privacy notice