How to licence a new taxi and private hire vehicle

We carry out several checks and tests on all vehicles before issuing a licence. If you submit an application but the vehicle is not suitable the application will be rejected or refused and you will only be refunded part of your application fee.

Step 1 - before you buy a vehicle

Please read the current transport policy on the Council's website. It will tell you whether the vehicles meets hackney carriage or private hire specification, and if there are any reasons why your application may be refused, important things to check include:

• colour
• window tint
• emission standard and age
• internal and external condition

Vehicles that have been deemed to be an insurance "write off" (meaning in accident damage category A, B, C, or S) and or endorsed as being "accident damaged" on their V5 document will not be licensed.

Currently all new applications for hackney carriage vehicle licences are required to be wheelchair accessible vehicles. Hackney carriage vehicles which are currently licensed can be replaced with a like for like vehicle, for example:

• wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) can be replaced with another WAV which complies with current policy
• saloon vehicles (5 seats) can be replaced with another Saloon which complies with current policy
• multi passenger vehicles (MPVs) (more than 5 seats) can be replaced with another MPV which complies with current policy

Step 2 - after you have bought a vehicle book a vehicle compliance test

To book your vehicle in for a test please book online by visiting our MOT and vehicle testing services webpage.

To book a test online, you will need:

• your vehicle registration number
• your Private or Hackney Carriage plate number, if applicable
• your contact details
• a debit or credit card to pay the test

Any cancellations must be done 48 hours prior to your appointment to avoid full charges being applied.

Step 3 - application form

You should complete your application within 28 days of your vehicle test. Do not complete the application online if your vehicle has not passed the compliance test this will delay the process and you will not receive a full refund.

Apply to licence a private hire or hackney carriage vehicle

Documents you will need include:

• insurance policy certificate
• taxi test compliance certificate
• DVLA vehicle registration document (if you do not have this, please bypass that question)
• a debit or credit card to pay the application fee

What happens next

Tacit consent

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@stockton.gov.uk.

Refusals

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.