Hackney Carriage Vehicle

Licences are issued subject to a series of conditions. See  'Doncaster Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy' which is on the following webpage www.doncaster.gov.uk/taxipolicy

Checklist

1. Book and pass a meter seal (You must ensure the taxi meter is fitted in the vehicle and has been calibrated to Doncaster Council's tariff)
2. Book and pass a vehicle test
3. A Basic Disclosure Certificate which is less that one month old, will be required for each individual/director/partner applying for a vehicle proprietor's licence (it is recognised that a licensed driver will already be subject to disclosure and barring service checks, therefore will not be required to produce this document).
4. Certificate of good character - where you have spent 3 continuous months outside of the UK, it's a requirement to provide a 'certificate of good character' from the appropriate embassy(s)
5. Complete the online application process (when prompted following a successful vehicle inspection)

The following documents must be produced one a test is passed and an application for a licence is made: 

• vehicle registration document
• policy or cover note of insurance covering the vehicle for "public and/or private hire use" for all drivers

You can book a vehicle test and meter seal and apply online under the apply now section.

Once your vehicle has successfully passed a meter seal and test, you will receive an email inviting you to complete the application for a licence.

Sealing of Taxi Meter £55.00

Test, licence and vehicle plates £283.00

Front Bracket (optional) £7.20

Rear Bracket (optional) £14.50

Postage (optional) £4.20

Vehicle Retest (If required): £33.00

The cost of Interim tests: £72.00

Appointments can be cancelled by email up to 48 hours before the appointment without incurring any costs. No refunds will be provided for cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice, failing to attend or any other action on your part which prevents the appointment taking place.

Any vehicle that has not had its meter correctly calibrated to the Doncaster tariff and had its meter successfully sealed will not pass a test at north bridge testing station and will not be able to have a licence granted. Meter Seal appointments are only available on Thursday mornings, see the ‘apply now’ section to book.

When you apply online for a vehicle test you will be offered a number of appointment times to attend a test at North Bridge testing station. If your vehicle fails its test, you will be advised by the testing officer and will receive information by email on how to book a retest appointment.

If your vehicle passes the test we will send you a link by email which will allow you to complete the application process online.

Vehicles which are being licensed for the first time or which are tested after the expiry of the licence must be licensed within 10 working days of the date of the test otherwise the vehicle will be required to undergo a further test at the expense of the applicant. This additional test will not count towards the maximum of 3 tests per year.

Issuing of vehicle licence and plates:

Please note that any issue with your paperwork will result in delays, if you feel you need to submit further documentation to assist your application please email - taxi.licensing@doncaster.gov.uk

Book a Meter Seal

All Doncaster Hackney Carriage vehicles must have a fitted taxi meter which is calibrated to the published tariff and sealed by Trading Standards

Meter Seal appointments are only available on Thursday mornings.

Please note the cut off times for bookings:

ANY BOOKINGS RECEIVED ON A THURSDAY (SAME DAY OF APPOINTMENT) WILL TAKE PLACE THE FOLLOWING WEEK

Book a Meter Seal

 

Book a Vehicle Test Online

NOTE: For interim tests and renewals:

Vehicles may be presented for test up to 1 month prior to the test due date

You will need to book an appointment for a vehicle test and meter seal online:

BOOK A VEHICLE TEST (NEW, ANNUAL OR INTERIM)

BOOK A RE-TEST (IF VEHICLE HAS FAILED THE TEST ABOVE)

A vehicle re-test booking should only be made when your vehicle has failed an initial vehicle test within the last 10 working days.

Appointments can be cancelled by telephone or email up to 48 hours before the appointment without incurring any costs. No refunds will be provided for cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice, failing to attend or any other action on your part which prevents the appointment taking place.

Vehicles may be presented for test up to 1 month prior to the test due date.

Depending on the age of the vehicle, interim testing may be required during the period of the licence, as set out below.

Age of Vehicle	Test Frequency
Less than 4 years	Annually
Over 4 years but less than 7 years	6 Monthly
Over 7 years	4 monthly

The age of the vehicle will be determined on the start date of the licence from the date of first registration as stated on the vehicle registration document.

To book an interim test – see the apply now section above.

Has the vehicle ever been classified as a category write-off?

Category A or B
Vehicles which have been classified as Category A or B will not be considered suitable to be a licensed.

Category C, D, S or N
Vehicles which have been classified as Category C or D (prior to 01/10/2017) or Category S or N (after 01/10/2017) will only be considered when a detailed report by a suitably qualified mechanic has been provided. Please see Independent Inspection Report Guidance

If a licensed vehicle is damaged, and that damage affects the safety, performance and appearance of the licensed vehicle or the comfort or convenience of persons carried then the accident MUST be reported in writing within 72 hours of the accident. The vehicle's proprietor is required to complete the following form: Accident Report Form

The Doncaster Council 'Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy' can be viewed on the following webpage Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy

For information on the Doncaster Hackney Carriage tariff please see Doncaster HC Fare 2023

To apply to advertise on a Hackney Carriage Vehicle please complete Advert HCV. There is a fee of £36 for this application. Once a completed application has been received, we will contact you with payment options.