All taxi and private hire vehicles must be licensed by the council to make sure they are safe, suitable and legal to carry paying passengers.
Before a vehicle is licensed, it will be checked and tested to make sure it is mechanically sound and suitable to carry passengers.
Licensed vehicles may also be stopped and inspected by licensing officers or the police to check they are being maintained correctly and meet road laws and our licensing conditions.
The difference between a hackney carriage and a private hire vehicle
A hackney carriage is more commonly referred to as a taxi.
Hackney carriages (taxis):
- are black vehicles
- have a roof-light ‘taxi’ sign
- display door signs which include their identification number and the council coat of arms
- display front and rear white identification plates
- have a taximeter to record the fare
Hackney carriages do not have to be pre-booked. They can be picked up from a taxi rank or hailed in the street.
Private hire vehicles:
- are not usually black
- do not have a roof-light ‘taxi’ sign
- display door signs which say ‘private hire’ and ‘pre-booked only’
- display front and rear yellow identification plates
Private hire vehicles must be pre-booked through a licensed private hire operator. It is illegal for a driver to pick someone up if the vehicle has not been pre-booked.
Drivers of both types of vehicle must wear their driver licence badge while working. The badge includes a photograph of the driver.
Identification plates will be located next to the DVLA vehicle registration plates (number plates).
Taxi and private hire identification plates
Taxi identification plate
Private hire identification plate
How to license a new private hire vehicle
Read the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy and check that the vehicle you intend to license meets the vehicle criteria.
The age restrictions on vehicles have been removed from the policy. Your vehicle must meet a minimum emission standard of:
- Euro 4 (petrol), or
- Euro 6 (diesel)
This is the same as ULEZ standards. You can check compliance using the Transport for London emissions check tool.
Apply online, complete the vehicle proprietor declaration and email it with the documents listed below (as PDF or JPEG files) to esp.support@colchester.gov.uk.
Documents you must provide
- Vehicle registration (V5) document
If you do not hold the full log book, the green new registered keeper slip will only be accepted if it is accompanied by a comprehensive bill of sale showing the vehicle type, registration number, purchase details, colour of vehicle, make and model, number of passengers and the date the vehicle was first registered. - A current insurance certificate or cover note
This must show compliance with Part VI of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and confirm the use of the vehicle for hire and reward – private hire (pre-booked journeys). Any named drivers must hold a Colchester City Council driver licence. - A current MOT certificate (unless the vehicle is less than one year old)
- The applicant’s DVLA driving licence
The address shown on the driving licence must correspond with that shown on the vehicle registration document.
The application must also include the following documents for all parties with a registered interest in the vehicle, as declared on the vehicle proprietor declaration:
- Proof of identity (a current passport or birth certificate)
- Right to work (evidence that you may legally work in the UK)
- A basic DBS (less than 3 months old when the application is made), plus a list of all previous convictions, cautions and other relevant information, whether or not they are spent.
If you have spent 6 or more continuous months outside the UK, provide criminal records information from the country concerned. Where this is not possible, a Certificate of Good Character is required.
If you are an existing licensed driver you do not need to provide this as long as you have maintained your DBS update service subscription. - Mandatory safeguarding training (proof you have completed the course)
When your application has been processed, we will contact you to pay the fee and book a mechanical inspection at our nominated garage. A garage test is not required if the vehicle is new.
What to take to your garage appointment
- Vehicle registration (V5) document (the full log book must be presented)
- A current insurance certificate or cover note
- A current MOT certificate
- Your DVLA driving licence
When the council is satisfied that it has all the required information, we will issue a set of licence plates. You must display these on the vehicle at all times.
How to license a hackney carriage (taxi)
We regulate the number of hackney carriage licences we issue. Applications cannot be made for a new hackney carriage vehicle licence.
When a plate becomes available, it is allocated in accordance with our approved process. The eligibility criteria and details of the process are set out in Appendix 5 of the council’s policy: the Hackney Carriage Plate Allocation Policy and Process.
An existing hackney carriage licence holder may, with our permission, transfer the licence to another person.
The new proprietor will need to meet the requirements of a new vehicle licence holder, as listed under ‘How to license a new private hire vehicle’.
Email a written request to transfer, with supporting evidence (PDF or JPG format), to licensing.team@colchester.gov.uk.
Vehicle licence renewal
Hackney carriage and private hire vehicles are licensed for 1 year. We will send you an email with instructions on how to renew before your licence expiry date. A link to your renewal form will be included in this email.
You must complete the renewal process before the existing licence expires. If you do not renew, the licence will lapse and you will need to submit a new application.
Changes to your vehicle licence
Let us know
You are required to tell us about changes including:
- Surrendering a vehicle licence
- Changing your personal details (for example name, address or telephone number)
- Changing your email address
- Reporting a new criminal conviction, caution, or motoring offence
- Ordering replacement taxi equipment
Email eps.support@colchester.gov.uk with details of the changes.
Make sure you report changes within the time frames set out in the policy.
Hackney carriage change of vehicle application form
Private hire change of vehicle application form
We must be satisfied that licensed vehicles are safe and suitable to transport passengers.
Any damage to a licensed vehicle must be reported to the licensing team in writing as soon as possible and within 72 hours of the collision or incident.
Email eps.support@colchester.gov.uk with:
- vehicle and plate details
- details of the incident
- details of the damage sustained
- photos of the damage
Make sure photos are provided in PDF or JPG format.
What happens next
The vehicle must be inspected, however limited or minor the damage appears to be.
Call 01206 282520 to book a garage appointment.
You must present the vehicle for inspection at the council-approved testing station, currently:
NRG Riverside Workshop
Unit 8 Westside Centre
London Road
Stanway
Colchester
CO3 8PH
You will be advised of the next steps to be taken.
If the vehicle requires repair but can still be driven, you will be given 28 days to complete the repairs.
If the vehicle cannot be driven, the vehicle licence will be suspended immediately for repair work to be carried out.
If the works are not completed the vehicle licence may be suspended or revoked.
Once the works are complete the vehicle must be reinspected at a council-approved testing station. A copy of the pass certificate from the garage must be given to the council before the vehicle can be used again to carry passengers.
Temporary vehicle licences
If the vehicle cannot be used you can apply for a temporary plate for a replacement vehicle. This will enable you to continue to operate.
A temporary plate will be issued for up to 1 month. This period may be extended in exceptional circumstances following approval of the council.
At the end of the period the temporary plate must be returned to the council.
The temporary replacement vehicle:
- can be any colour
- must be under 5 years old
If it is over 5 years old it must pass an inspection at Riverside Workshop.
New vehicle on an existing plate
Change of owner – private hire vehicle licence
You can apply to transfer the vehicle licence to another person or to add or remove individuals on the licence.
If there is more than one proprietor name on the vehicle licence, all those named must send separate emails confirming the transfer of ownership.
The application must be accompanied by:
- Vehicle registration document (the full log book must be presented in the new owner’s name). If you do not hold the full log book, the green registered keeper slip will only be considered if accompanied by a comprehensive bill of sale showing the vehicle type, registration number, purchase details, colour of vehicle, make and model, number of passengers and the date the vehicle was first registered.
- A current insurance certificate or cover note showing compliance with Part VI of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the use of the vehicle for public or private hire and reward. The insurance must be in the name of the new owner.
You must also supply the following for all parties with a registered interest in the vehicle, as declared on the vehicle proprietor declaration:
- A basic DBS (less than 3 months old when the application is made). This must be accompanied by a list of all previous convictions, whether or not they are spent, and any other relevant information.
- A Certificate of Good Character if you have spent 6 or more continuous months outside the UK. Provide criminal records information from the country concerned. Where this is not possible, a Certificate of Good Character is required.
- Mandatory safeguarding training (proof that you have completed the training)
Send the completed form and supporting documentation (PDF or JPG format) to eps.support@colchester.gov.uk.
We will call you to take payment over the phone. Once payment is made and the application process has been completed to the council’s satisfaction, we will issue the licence and accompanying plates to the registered vehicle proprietor.
Private hire change of owner form
Plate transfer for hackney carriage vehicles
The transfer of a plate is usually occasioned by the sale of a business. The council has no interest in the sale of the business. Any agreement between you and a third party in relation to the use of the vehicle is of no concern to the council and you should obtain your own legal advice.
The plate is owned by the council and remains its property at all times.
The transfer of the plate to another owner requires the consent of the council. The following process must be followed:
- Permission to transfer the plate must first be sought from the council. Put your request in writing to the Licensing Manager at licensing.team@colchester.gov.uk or to the Licensing Manager at Communities, Colchester City Council, Rowan House, 33 Sheepen Road, Colchester CO3 3WG. Permission must be sought by all parties with an interest in the plate (for example all people registered with the council as joint owners). Where there is more than one owner the request must be signed by all parties and proof of identity will need to be provided (the ID must prove name, address and signature). Where the council is not satisfied with the proof of identity provided, it reserves the right to require all parties to attend the council offices to confirm their agreement to transfer the plate.
- You will receive confirmation in writing of the council’s decision.
- If the council has authorised the transfer of the plate you must call the Contact and Support Centre on 01206 282520 to make an appointment for a hackney carriage plate transfer. The old and new holder of the plate will need to attend this meeting. It is not necessary for all joint holders to attend except in the circumstances outlined above.
- Bring the following documentation to the appointment:
- Vehicle registration document (the full log book must be presented in the name of the new holder of the plate)
- A completed hackney carriage change of owner form
- The completed letter of release
- A Disclosure and Barring Service certificate dated within 3 months for the proposed new plate holder if they do not hold a current hackney carriage or private hire driver’s licence
- A certificate of insurance in the new plate holder’s name, with all proposed taxi drivers listed as named drivers
- A PATs certificate if the vehicle holds a disabled plate
- The correct fee (to be paid by credit or debit card)
- Once the application process has been completed to the council’s satisfaction, it will issue the licence plate.
- There is no right of appeal if the council refuses the transfer of the plate.
Note: The council has no interest in the business. However, if the full vehicle registration documentation is not available, the council will in some circumstances agree to transfer of the plate subject to appropriate proof being provided of the transfer of the business.
Plate holders in this position should expect to be asked to provide:
- a bill of sale proving the proposed new holder has purchased the vehicle (this should include full details of the vehicle, the name and address of both the buyer and seller, and should be signed and dated by both parties)
- a bank statement showing the exchange of monies