Apply for a hackney carriage vehicle licence

If you want to use a vehicle as a hackney carriage in Bath and North East Somerset, you need to obtain a hackney carriage vehicle licence.

Before you apply

You need to read and understand the requirements on this page before you submit an application for a licence. We cannot proceed with your application unless you give us all the information we need.

You also need to read the policy and conditions for hackney carriage vehicles

Select a topic below to find out if your vehicle is eligible and the details you must provide in your application.

Vehicle eligibility

If you want to apply for a hackney carriage vehicle licence, your vehicle must meet all of the following criteria:

• Vehicles should be less than four years old on the date of the first application
• Engine size of the vehicle must be at least 1400 cc
• Vehicle must have three doors which are accessible to fare-paying passengers
• Vehicle must be designed for the purpose of carrying passengers, not goods

If you have not yet purchased a vehicle, we advise that you consult one of our licensing officers before buying one so we can verify, in general terms, that it is compliant.

However, we cannot give permission for specific individual vehicles. It is your responsibility to ensure that any vehicle you purchase is fully compliant with any B&NES vehicle licence conditions in force.

Details you must provide

Once we have confirmed the eligibility of your vehicle, you can submit your application.

You need to provide the following details in your application:

• Registration document
• Current insurance certificate covering the vehicle for public hire and reward
• MOT certificate for all vehicles over one-year-old on the date of application
• Mechanical Inspection Certificate (this can be obtained here)
• Measured mile meter compliance certificate

Fees and charges

Prices for taxi driver's licences are shown in the following table.

Hackney carriage vehicle fees

Fees	Zone 1 (Bath) price	Zone 2 (North East Somerset) price
New application fee	£94	£77
Roof sign	£147	£147
Renewal application fee	£237	£204

Other charges

Fees	Price
Vehicle transfer	£77
Proprietor transfer	£40
Replacement licence	£12

Duration

Licences are valid for one year, unless we state otherwise.

We issue all licences with an expiry date of 31 May.

Renewals

We will send you renewal information shortly before your current licence expires. We will also send you a unique reference number that you need to include in your online application.

How to apply

When you are sure you are eligible and able to provide all the information we require, submit your application using our online form.

Further information

Select a topic below to find out more about hackney carriage vehicle licences.

Contentious applications

Contentious applications will be referred to our Licensing Sub Committee for determination.

Appealing a decision

If you wish to appeal our decision to refuse to grant an application, you can appeal to The Crown Court within 21 days of being notified of the decision.

If you wish to appeal our decision to attach any condition to the licence, you can appeal to Bath Magistrates’ Court within 21 days of being notified of the decision.

A decision of the Magistrates’ Court can be appealed to the Crown Court.

Conditions

All hackney carriage and private hire drivers and operators licensed by Bath & North East Somerset must abide by our policies and conditions

Relevant legislation

Part II Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

Road Traffic Act 1988

Town and Police Clauses Act 1847

Customer complaints

If you wish to make a complaint about a taxi driver or vehicle, please use our online form