Private Hire Vehicle

No licence will be issued in respect of a Private Hire Vehicle which does not comply with ALL of the requirements of Doncaster Taxi Policy.

Under Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 the number of vehicle licences cannot be limited and must be granted provided:

• the car is suitable in type, size and design for use as a private hire vehicle. See 'City of Doncaster Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy' 
• the car does not look like a taxi
• the car is mechanically sound. This must be confirmed by a detailed inspection undertaken at the expense of the proprietor by a suitable garage or other vehicle maintenance business. The inspection report is to be completed and signed by the fitter who carried out the inspection and his signature and qualifications are to be authenticated by the addition of the name and address of the garage by means of business rubber stamp. In the case of a recently acquired vehicle a report from the garage which sold the car will not be accepted

The vehicle will also be subject to a visual inspection carried out by an authorised licensing officer of the council.

• the car is insured for private hire work
• the car is constructed and adapted to seat no more than eight passengers
• the applicant is responsible for the keeping and running of the vehicle either solely or in partnership with other persons
• the applicant has supplied all the information required

Making a false statement at any time to obtain a vehicle licence is a serious offence.

Information required:

It must be shown that:

• the proprietor (or company) making the application has an operating base within the Doncaster Borough
• the proprietor making the application holds a private hire driver's licence issued by this authority                

Checklist

1. Book and pass a vehicle test
2. 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).
3. 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)
4. Complete the online application process (when prompted following a successful vehicle inspection)

The following documents must be produced once 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 "private hire use" for all drivers.

Using your 'My Doncaster' profile you can can access 'My Licensing' to begin booking an inspection.

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

Vehicle Inspection: £77.00 (all application processes will charge £77.00 initially to secure a test)

Vehicle Retest (If required following a failed test): £35.00

Vehicle Licence and Plates £229.20 (new and renewal processes will be charged this fee following a successful vehicle inspection)
(Postage £4.20 is included with this fee and is now mandatory)

Front Bracket (optional) £7.20
Rear Bracket (optional) £14.50

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.

When you apply online 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.

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

It is expected that all vehicle proprietors have their own 'My Doncaster' account as your name and address will auto-populate the online forms.

Book 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 online: 

BOOK A VEHICLE TEST (NEW, ANNUAL OR INTERIM)

(the above link will take you to your My Doncaster account - select 'My Licensing' to begin your booking)
IMPORTANT - please be aware that if you select a 'New' or 'Annual Renewal' test that the system is configured to take the test fee initially, then after a successful vehicle inspection it will charge you the remaining licence fee.

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.

Dependent on the age of the vehicle, interim testing may be required during the period of the licence, as shown below.

Age of Vehicle	Test Frequency
Less than four years	annually
More than four years but less than seven years	six monthly
More than seven years	four 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 (1)

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

To make an application to advertise on a Private Hire Vehicle , please complete Advert PHV.  Please note there is a fee of £36 for this application. Once a completed application is received, you will be contacted with payment options. 

If you would like to change your vehicle registration on a currently licensed private hire or hackney carriage vehicle you will need to notify us and provide the following information:

• DVLA Plate Authorisation Certificate (for the new registration)
• Email from DVLA confirming that the new registration can be put on your vehicle
• Logbook showing new registration
• Insurance showing new registration
• You will need to hand in the current plates from your vehicle before we can issue your new plates
  (you will not be permitted to use your private hire/hackney carriage vehicle until you have received your new licence and plates)
• You will need to pay for the cost of making new vehicle plates