Local authorities are responsible for licensing hackney carriages, private hire vehicles, drivers and private hire operators.
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Due to emergency steps being taken in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Northumberland County Council has introduced a simplified process for the renewal of driver and vehicle licences. This simplified process will remain in place until it is considered reasonable to return to standard operating procedures.
As you will appreciate the licensing staff are no longer able to operate from the Council Offices. However, all Licensing staff are now mainly working from home and can deal with enquiries. These changes have been made to help minimise the risk and spread of the virus, and to keep our staff and customers safe.
Unfortunately our main Licensing number is not accessible, but you can ring the Council Customer Services on 0345 600 6400 and they can forward your enquiry to the Licensing section. An easier option will be to email: licensing@northumberland.gov.uk and someone will respond. All face to face appointments have been suspended until further notice.
As a temporary measure, renewal driver badges and renewed vehicle plates may not be issued immediately. Instead, an acknowledgement will be e-mailed to you. You must carry this with you whenever you are working in order to prove that you, or your vehicle, are still licensed. Appointments will be made for plates to be collected from Stakeford Depot. Drivers Badges will be posted out when they have been produced.
Drivers can apply to renew their driver's licences online.
Click here to download the simplified renewal application form for drivers.
Applicants will be contacted following receipt of an application and invited to make payment and forward any required documents. It is understood that at the current time applicants may have difficulty obtaining medical certificates. Where this is the case applicants should contact the licensing section as soon as possible Vehicle renewals Applicants can apply to renew their vehicle licences online. Applicants will be contacted following receipt of an application and invited to make payment and forward any required documents. It is understood that there may be delays in relation to vehicle testing. Applicants should notify the licensing section of the vehicle test date as soon as possible.
Click here to download the simplified renewal application form for hackney carriage vehicles.
Click here to download the simplified renewal application form for private hire vehicles
Please see the drop down boxes below for new driver and vehicle applications.
Click here to see the latest information about hackney carriage licensing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. 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:
In addition to the above general requirements, the council has exercised its discretion to apply the following standards:
Applications for a new hackney carriage vehicle licence must demonstrate a vehicle suitable in type, size and construction to carry people in wheelchairs.
Click here to see the latest information about driver licensing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
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