Private Hire Vehicle (Minicab)

Private Hire Vehicles cannot ply for hire in the street or at taxi ranks. Journeys must be pre-booked, normally by phone or in person at a cab office. Failure to do so is an offence and invalidates the vehicle's insurance cover. Fares for private hire vehicles are not regulated by the Council - the cost of a journey will normally be based on a rate per mile or should be agreed with the company before the journey.

Private Hire Vehicles licensed by the Council must display a yellow plate on the front and the rear and a smaller internal plate. Roof signs are not permitted. Private Hire drivers must also wear an ID badge issued by the Council, which includes his/her photograph.

There are many different laws affecting proprietors and vehicles but the main Acts of Parliament covering the licensing of Private Hire Vehicles are contained in Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

This Act says we cannot limit the number of vehicle licences and must grant a vehicle licence if we are satisfied that:

Your car is suitable in type, size and design for use as a private hire vehicle. See Appendix 5, 6C & 6D of the 'Doncaster Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy' which is available on the following website www.doncaster.gov.uk/taxipolicy
Your car does not look like a taxi.
Your car is mechanically suitable. The mechanical condition is to 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.
Your car is insured for private hire work.
Your car is constructed and adapted to seat no more than 8 passengers.
You are responsible for the keeping and running of the vehicle either solely or in partnership with other persons.
You have been honest in supplying information to us and must not, under any circumstances, make a false statement at any time to obtain your vehicle licence. This is a serious offence.

What information must you provide to us?

To help us consider your application it is our policy for you to show us:

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

That you can produce the following documents:

Vehicle registration document - we cannot process your application without seeing this document.
MOT Certificate (if applicable).
Policy or cover note of insurance covering the vehicle for "public and/or private hire use" for you and/or your drivers.
That your vehicle is mechanically suitable. Your vehicle must pass an inspection carried out by a qualified mechanic (see legal requirements). The vehicle will also be subject to a visual inspection carried out by an authorised Licensing Officer of the Council.
That the appropriate fee is paid (fee table below).

The Doncaster Council 'Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy' can be viewed on the following webpage www.doncaster.gov.uk/taxipolicy

How long does the process take?

Once the fee has been paid, the vehicle has passed the councils inspection test and you have provided Private Hire vehicle insurance then the vehicle licence and identification plates will be issued to you from the Licensing Department.

How much does it cost?

Vehicle Test	£60.00
Vehicle Retest (if required)	£27.00
Vehicle Licence	£122.00
Front Vehicle Plate	£17.50
Rear Vehicle Plate	£27.50
Plate Fixing Brackets (optional)	£18.00

How many times does a Private Hire vehicle need to be tested each year?

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 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.