Private Hire Vehicles must be licensed by the Licensing Authority and must at all times display a blue plate on the rear of the vehicle, a smaller internal plate, and a blue triangle sticker on each front door; all displaying the vehicle's plate number. Once licensed a private hire vehicle is always a private hire vehicle until the licence expires.
Private Hire Vehicles cannot ply for hire in the street or at taxi ranks. Journeys must be pre-booked, normally by phone or in person at an office. Failure to do so is an offence and invalidates the vehicle's insurance cover. The Council does not regulate fares for private hire vehicles - the cost of a journey should normally be agreed with the company before the journey.
Private Hire drivers must be licensed by the Council and wear an ID badge issued by the Council, which includes his/her photograph.
With effect from the 1stSeptember 2014, new vehicle licences will only be issued to:
Vehicle Specification
| Type of Vehicle | Type of Licence | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|
| Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles; (to include ‘Purpose Built; OR Adapted Vehicles with/or without Tail Lift) |
Hackney Carriage/ Private Hire Vehicle |
Less than 7 years old (from date of first registration)
(Admission Age)
|
12 years (provided each subsequent licence takes effect immediately upon expiry of the previous licence).
|
|
Non Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
|
Hackney Carriage/ Private Hire Vehicle
|
Less than 3 years old
(from date of first registration)
(Admission Age)
|
10 years (provided each subsequent licence takes effect immediately upon expiry of the previous licence).
|
Prospective or current licensees should consider the Vehicle Technical Standards effective 1stSeptember 2014 prior to purchasing or submitting a vehicle to the Licensing Authority, please see Technical Specification/Conditions of Licence below.
Private Hire vehicles must be white in colour.
Before a vehicle is licensed it must pass a test/inspection at the authority's testing depot and a MOT (where appropriate) to ensure its safety. Also the vehicles must be suitably and adequately insured for carriage of passengers and goods for hire or reward to ensure high standards of safety. Licensees are directed to the Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Vehicle National Inspection Standards Best Practice Guide.
A licensed private hire vehicle cannot accept any bookings unless the driver holds or works for a licensed private hire operator. Details of how to apply for a private hire operator’s licence can be found on the link below
How to apply
Before purchasing a vehicle you may wish to seek advice from Licensing Officers as to whether vehicles are likely to be accepted onto the Licensed fleet.
Vehicle Testing
Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your appointment time to allow the vehicle to be sanitised prior to inspection. The garage hold the right to decline inspection if the vehicle is not presented at the allocated time. The vehicle details on your application must be accurate.
To apply for a private hire vehicle licence complete the application form online below:
You will also need:
- Vehicle V5 log book document or bill of sale
- Current insurance certificate or cover note of insurance covering the vehicle for "public and/or private use" for you and/or your drivers
- MOT Certificate (if applicable)
- The required fee (see below)
Costs
For details of current licence costs please consult the fees document which can be found under related documents.
Contact Us
Licensing Section
Ty Elai
Dinas Isaf East
Williamstown
Tonypandy
CF40 1NY
Telephone:01443 425001
Fax:01443 425301
Email: Licensing.Section@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk