Operator licences (private hire)

A private hire operator's licence is required to take bookings and dispatch private hire vehicles to customers. The licence is issued for 5 years.

Private hire vehicles can only carry out journeys that have been pre-booked through a licensed private hire operator. This applies to bookings made through a booking office, by telephone or using an app.

Before granting a licence, we must be satisfied that a private hire operator is fit and proper. Private hire operators are responsible for:

  • accepting, arranging and fulfilling bookings
  • using licensed drivers and vehicles
  • responding to customer complaints
  • keeping records of every booking they receive

Private hire operators may subcontract bookings to another licensed private hire operator, including operators licensed by other councils.

If a booking is subcontracted, the operator must tell the passenger that the journey will be carried out by a driver or vehicle licensed by another council. The passenger has the right to refuse the booking.

Apply for a private hire operator licence

  1. Read the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy .
  2. Download and complete the private hire operator application form .
  3. Email the completed form and supporting documents (PDF or JPG format) to eps.support@colchester.gov.uk.

Eligibility requirements

To be licensed as a private hire operator, you must:

  • have the right to work in the UK
  • provide evidence that you have completed safeguarding training
  • provide a basic DBS certificate dated within 3 months of the application being made
    • This must include a statutory declaration listing all previous convictions, cautions and other relevant information, whether or not they are spent.
    • If you have lived outside the UK for 6 months or more, you must provide criminal records information from the relevant country, or a Certificate of Good Character if this is not available.
    • If you are applying as an individual and already hold a current Colchester City Council driver licence, you do not need to provide a new DBS certificate as long as you have maintained your DBS Update Service subscription.
    • If the application is made by a company or partnership, we will apply the fit and proper test to each director or partner. Each person must meet the DBS requirements.
  • have an operating base within the Colchester City Council area 
    If you intend to operate from a residential property, you are responsible for ensuring you have any required planning permission.
  • provide a valid public liability insurance certificate
  • provide a copy of your policy on employing ex-offenders in roles related to booking and dispatch