Taxi and private hire vehicle licence

There are two types of annual vehicle licence in Ashfield - for Hackney carriages (taxis) and for private hire vehicles. You must have the right licence for your vehicle before you use it for this type of work. 

All of the information relating to vehicle licensing for applicants can be found within our Vehicle application pack.

As well as a vehicle licence you need to be licensed as a driver (by the same council the vehicle is licensed by) and if you work for a private hire company they must have an operator licence. 

We regularly carry out check to make sure licensed vehicles are safe, and meet high standards visually and mechanically. 

How to licence a vehicle for the first time

Vehicles being licensed for the first time must be under 5 years of age as stated in the V5 log book. We will not licence vehicles which have been marked as an insurance write off. 

Vehicles must be wheelchair accessible. This means licensed vehicles must be able to carry the passenger whilst in a wheelchair. The full standards and criteria for vehicles licensed by us can be found in the vehicle application pack in the related documents section of this page.

You will need to book a compliance test with our Motor transport depot and pay the fee for your licence through our online system.

You will then need to book a virtual appointment for us to process your application - you do not need to attend this appointment in person. You can book by email at:

• email: licensing@ashfield.gov.uk. 

All application forms and documents can be downloaded from this page and submitted to us with copies of any supporting documentation by email. If you have any issues accessing the application forms or documents, please email us for assistance: licensing@ashfield.gov.uk. 

Vehicles over 5-years-old

To licence a vehicle that is 5-years-old or over (based on its date of first registration to the date you submit a full and valid application for a vehicle licence/plate), you will need to show:

• for Hackney carriages - it is a fully wheelchair accessible vehicle.
• for Private hire - it must be either a fully wheelchair accessible vehicle, or be a low emission vehicle (this means that if its date of first registration is older than 01/04/2017, it must not have CO2 emissions higher than 120; and if its date of first registration is 01/04/2017 or later, then it must not have CO2 emissions higher than 75. You can find the date of first registration and the CO2 emissions information on the V5 log book).
• the vehicle application is supported by an independent Auto-Engineer report stating it is in “exceptional condition” – you can obtain this from our Motor Transport Depot when you make your booking for the car to have its Certificate of Compliance Test.

Apart from these details the process is the same as for a newer vehicle. Forms can be downloaded from this page and submitted to us with copies of any supporting documentation by email. 

Transfer ownership of a licensed vehicle 

If you sell a licensed vehicle you must let us know, including details of the new owner. If you buy a licensed vehicle you must also let us know. You need to do this within 14 days of buying the vehicle

You will need to complete and send a transfer of ownership form to us. There is no charge for this but you will need to book a virtual appointment so we can process the form. 

Renewing a vehicle licence

We will send you a reminder 2 months before your vehicle renewal is due. Details of how to renew are in the application pack which can be downloaded from this page. 

How much does it cost?

There are a number of costs involved in licensing a vehicle for use as a taxi or for private hire. You can pay these fees online using a debit or credit card once you've submitted your application to us. 

Pay for your application

Loss of a licence plate

If you lose the licence plate from your vehicle let us know as soon as possible so we can send a replacement. This costs £29. If you need a plate holder bracket too these cost an extra £10.

You can pay through our online system using a debit or credit card.

Pay for a replacement licence plate

Other ways to contact us about taxi and private hire vehicle licences

If you have a question about licensing or want to make a complaint about a taxi or private hire operator, vehicle or driver, you can contact us by:

• email: licensing@ashfield.gov.uk
• telephone: 01623 457589