Taxi & minicab licence

Local authorities are responsible for licensing hackney carriages, private hire vehicles, drivers and private hire operators.

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Taxi licensing - Coronavirus updates

The latest information regarding taxi licensing in Northumberland, and how this is impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

This information was last updated 1 December 2020. 

Important coronavirus update - Hackney carriage/Private hire licensing

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.
 

Renewing a licence

Driver renewals

Drivers can apply to renew their driver's 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 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. 

New licences 

Please see the drop down boxes below for new driver and vehicle applications. 

We are now processing new driver applications. Please email licensing@northumberland.gov.uk to book your knowledge test and Child & Adult Sexual Exploitation Training (CASE). Once you have passed the knowledge/locality test a member of the team will send you a private hire and/or hackney carriage drivers application form together with a group 2 medical application to be completed by your GP. Applicants should enquire with their GP as soon as possible as to whether they can access appointments for medical certificates. Licences cannot be granted without satisfactory medical certificates. 

 

Knowledge tests

You will need to pass a knowledge test which is now remote on a one to one basis and conducted via a virtual meeting using either microsoft teams or Google meet. 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. Please note there is a short waiting list at present. 

Child & Adult Sexual Exploitation Training (CASE)

As a temporary measure, CASE training is also currently being conducted remotely. 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. 
Applications are being processed but proprietors should contact the licensing section to discuss. 
 
The preferred contact method with the licensing department is by e-mail: 

Department for Transport (DfT)

Following the Prime Ministers announcement on 22nd September 2020, the Department for Transport (DfT) laid a Statutory Instrument in both Houses of Parliament to mandate the wearing of face coverings in taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) in England under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. This regulation has now come into effect.   
  
In line with public transport and retail settings the Regulations gives new powers to taxi and PHV drivers to deny access to a service, and to direct someone to leave a service, if they are not wearing a face covering without a legitimate reason.  If passengers fail to comply, the Police have a power to remove passengers from a service (using reasonable force if necessary), and issue a Fixed Penalty Notice. The requirement only applies when a service is being provided i.e. passengers are not required to wear a face covering when the vehicle is used for personal use. 
  
We always recommended that passengers wear face coverings in PHVs and taxis and moving to mandating this is a reasonable additional step to take to reduce the risk of infection when used alongside other measures. We will also be working with taxi and PHV operators and drivers to ensure that all passengers are aware of the exemptions to this regulation. There are health, age, equalities and other reasons why someone may not be able to wear a face covering. It is crucial that operators and passengers are aware of these exemptions to ensure that everyone can have confidence in using public transport. DfT will publish updated guidance as soon as possible for operators and passengers on travelling safely during the outbreak. The guidance will reflect the latest information about face coverings. I would be grateful if you could share the change and the updated guidance with your licensees.
 
We would also like to take this opportunity to draw your attention a number of assets which DfT are creating to support our stakeholders to communicate this change. The assets will contain messages around how to ensure both drivers and customers are kept safe, as well as messaging on exemptions. They will be made available https://extranet.dft.gov.uk/safer-transport-campaign/ shortly alongside the existing assets we have available. Please do cascade these assets and resources to your members/networks.   
 
The following COVID guidance pages have been updated: 

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.


Hackney Carriage licensing - Coronavirus updates

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:

  1. Alnwick 

  2. Berwick-upon-Tweed 

  3. Blyth Valley 

  4. Castle Morpeth 

  5. Tynedale

  6. 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.

 
Annual vehicle fee (including door insignia and plate) £226
Annual LPG fee (including door insignia and plate) £204
Replacement plate £28
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.

Private hire licensing - Coronavirus updates

Click here to see the latest information about private hire vehicle licensing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

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.
 
Annual vehicle fee (including door insignia and plate) £226
Annual LPG fee (including door insignia and plate) £204
Replacement plate £28
Replacement insignias £9 each
Vehicle transfer between licensees fee £33
 

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.

Driver licensing - Coronavirus updates

Click here to see the latest information about driver licensing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

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 test
  • 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:
We are now offering applicants the opportunity to use an online system to submit DBS applications.

The website address is: disclosure.capitarvs.co.uk/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.
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 annual fee (including badge) £78
Driver fee (two year licence) £112
Driver fee (three year licence) £146
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 £44
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.

Fees schedule licences

Here you will find information on licensing fees.

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