Private hire and taxi vehicle licence
Vehicles used for public or private hire purposes must be licensed by the local authority and can only be driven by licensed hackney carriage or private hire drivers.
New applicants, licensed trade and members of the public can can read the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy for full details.
Before you apply for a new vehicle
After checking your vehicle is suitable to the guidelines in appendix G of our policy document, you should have your vehicle tested.
To book your vehicle in for a test, contact Cowpen Depot Garage on 01642 524615 or 01642 528256.
You should complete your application within 28 days of your vehicle test.
How to apply for a new vehicle
Apply to licence a new private hire or hackney carriage vehicle
What happens next?
Tacit consent does not apply in respect of these applications. Tacit consent means that if we have not dealt with licence applications within the target period then the application can be deemed to have been granted or approved. It is in the public interest that we process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within 10 working days, contact us on 01642 524802 or licensing.administration@stockton.gov.uk.Tacit consent
If we refuse your application, you may be able to appeal this decision to the Magistrates' Court or First-Tier Tribunal. Full details will be included in any refusal notice.Refusals
Renew your licence
Apply to renew your private hire or hackney carriage vehicle licence
Accident damage and convictions
Report an accident or damage to a licensed vehicle
Tell us about a motoring or criminal conviction or a caution
Tell us about a change to your licence
Change the address the licensing team hold for you
Complete the proprietorship requisition form
Tell us about a transfer of a licensed vehicle
Tell us what private hire operator you will be working for
Apply for exemption from displaying private hire plates and signs
Apply to advertise on your licensed vehicle
If you would like to:
- change your vehicle registration mark
- return your vehicle licence and plates
Order replacements
Replace a vehicle plate, internal comment card, door or window stickers
Replace your dash display wallet, docu-dash clip, lanyard, tariff card or plate bracket
Limousine and speciality vehicle hire
If a limousine or speciality vehicle has 8 seats or less, parents should contact us to check if the company is licensed as a private hire operator with private hire vehicle and private hire driver licences. The only exemptions to this are vehicles used for weddings and funerals, not proms.
Operators of limousines or speciality vehicles with 9 or more seats must hold a public service vehicle operators' licence with the Driving Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The DVSA is urging parents to carry out an online check on the Gov.uk website.
Unlicensed operators are not insured to carry passengers. This means they may not undergo regular vehicle or driver safety checks and could be operating vehicles with defects that are dangerous.
Contact us
Contact the Licensing Team for advice on any licence or to make a complaint about a licensed business. Phone: 01642 524802 Email: licensing.administration@stockton.gov.uk