How to apply for a Private Hire Operator’s Licence

HALTON BOROUGH COUNCIL – LEGAL SERVICES, LICENSING SECTION
How to apply for a Private Hire Operator’s Licence
WARNING: Before you apply you should check with the Council’s Planning
Department if planning permission is/is not required.
If you wish to discuss this matter or require further clarification of the
requirements please contact the Council’s Licensing Section – before you
submit your application.
The Licensing Section will explain the full procedure for applying for a
Private Hire Operators Licence and provide you with the application form
and if required, a Criminal Records Bureau form will be completed on your
behalf.
(Please note a CRB form is not required if you hold a current Single Status Drivers
Licence with the Council).
You will be required to produce the following documentation in support of
your application:
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2 recent identical passport size photographs (for each applicant)
Required fee – please note fees will not be refunded under any
circumstances
Copy Planning Permission or letter from the Planning Department
confirming that permission it not required
List of vehicles you intend to operate under the Licence
Identification documents for the CRB application (if applicable) such
as:
1 document from Group 1 and
2 further documents from Groups 1 or 2 (one of which must verify your current
address)
GROUP 1
Current Full DVLA Driving Licence & Photocard (if applicable)
Current Valid Passport
Birth Certificate (Issued within 12 months of the Date of Birth)
Continued ………………..
December 2012
HALTON BOROUGH COUNCIL – LEGAL SERVICES, LICENSING SECTION
GROUP 2A
Current Valid Passport
Current UK Driving Licence (Photocard or old style paper version)
Biometric Residence Permit (UK)
Birth Certificate (UK and Channel Islands) issued within 12 months of date of
birth
Certified copy of Birth Certificate issued after 12 months of the date of birth
Marriage Certificate/Civil Partnership Certificate (UK)
Adoption Certificate (UK)
HM forces ID card (UK)
Fire Arms Licence (UK)
Group 2B
Mortgage Statement (UK)**
Bank /Building Society Statement (UK)*
Credit Card Statement (UK)*
Pension, Endowment, ISA Statement (UK)**
P45/P60 Statement (UK & Channel Islands)**
Council Tax Statement (UK & Channel Islands)**
Work Permit/visa (UK) (UK Residence Permit)**
Utility Bill (UK)* – Not Mobile Telephone
Benefit Statement* eg Child Allowance, Pension
A document from Central / Local Government*
EU National ID Card
Cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo (UK)
Denoted with * - it should be less than three months old
Denoted with ** - it should be issued within the past 12 months
Not denoted – it can be more than 12 months old
The Council will normally issue a Licence 24 hours from completion of the
application process: this means when all outstanding matters have been
completed and all documentation has been received by the Licensing Section.
Operators Licences are issued for one year period and will be sent to you in the
post.
RENEWAL REMINDERS
When the Licence is due for renewal the Licensing Section will send you a
reminder letter together with a renewal application form. This is a courtesy only –
it is entirely the responsibility of the Licence holder to submit the renewal
application on time.
You will need to submit the renewal application through the Licensing Section.
December 2012
HALTON BOROUGH COUNCIL – LEGAL SERVICES, LICENSING SECTION
For renewal applications the following will be required:
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Application form
Current fee
2 identical passport size photographs (for each applicant)
Full list of vehicles operating under the system
Planning Permission/letter will not be required on renewal.
If you hold a SSD Licence with the Council a CRB will not be required upon
renewal. If you do not hold a SSD Licence a CRB will be required every 3 years.
IMPORTANT – a list of all vehicles operating under the system must
accompany the renewal application.
Detailed guidance on selected items
CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU CHECK
You will be required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and
warnings you may have had (however old they may be). For licensing purposes
convictions can never become "spent" under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
1974. Please bear in mind that police checks can take a number of weeks to
complete.
PLANNING PERMISSION
Applicants may require planning permission to operate from premises.
An applicant needs to check with the Council’s Planning Department to ascertain
if permission is required. If permission is required you must obtain the necessary
permission and produce a copy of the permission to support the application.
If the Planning Department confirm that permission IS NOT REQUIRED,
applicants must obtain written confirmation that is it not required from the
Council’s Planning Department and produce a copy of the confirmation to
support the application.
PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS
You are required to produce TWO recent identical colour passport type
photographs of each applicant. One photograph will be placed on the Licence
and one will be held on file.
Photographs will be rejected if they are not of acceptable quality and must
not be more than 3 months old.
December 2012
HALTON BOROUGH COUNCIL – LEGAL SERVICES, LICENSING SECTION
FEE
The appropriate fee is payable upon application.
If there is anything about the procedure you do not understand or need
further clarification please do not hesitate to contact the Licensing Section
who will be happy to assist you.
LICENSING SECTION
4th FLOOR
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
KINGSWAY
WIDNES
CHESHIRE
WA8 7QF
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday
10.00 am to 12.00 pm
1.00 pm to 4.00 pm
NOTE: THE COUNTER WILL BE CLOSED EVERY DAY FOR
LUNCH FROM 12.00 pm to 1.00 pm
When attending the Building please report to Reception on the Ground
Floor who will direct you to the 4th Floor (there is no need to make a prior
appointment)
Direct Dial Telephone numbers for taxi related matters:
Licensing Officers:
0151 511 8356
0151 511 8771
Taxi Enforcement Officer:
0151 511 8062
December 2012