If you wish to licence a new hackney carriage vehicle (taxi) then you must take the following steps to ensure all points are covered. This is summarised in the attached guidance document below.
You can also seek written advice in writing from the Taxi Hub at taxi.hub@eastriding.gov.uk.
Hackney Carriage Vehicle Guidance Document (pdf 289kb)
Step 1 - Purchase
When seeking to purchase a vehicle you must ensure that you check carefully that any proposed vehicle meets all relevant parts of the [specification A or B] and are able to comply with the council's intended use policy for hackney carriage vehicles. We recommend that you take a copy with you to the garage/vehicle seller.
The vehicle MUST BE white in its base colour. No other colour will be accepted. The spraying of a vehicle is not acceptable to the Authority.
All applications for a hackney carriage vehicle licence will be expected to demonstrate the intention to primarily ply for hire with the East Riding district and fulfill the purpose of a hackney carriage on the rank or plying for trade, each case will be assessed on its own merits. If the authority is not satisfied the vehicle meets the intended use policy the application may be refused or advice will be given in relation to a private hire licensed vehicle.
Hackney Carriage Vehicle Specification/Intended Use (pdf 241kb)
Step 2 – Preparation
When you have purchased a vehicle and are satisfied that it meets the vehicle specification, if you choose specification B you will have to prepare the vehicle by installing a rotating swivel seat, taximeter, and top light.
The rotating swivel seat must be fitted by a council-approved manufacturer/installer and is a new seat/base or is less than three years 364 days old at the time of re-installation with prior written permission to transfer the seat/base into the replacement vehicle.
It is possible that during the installation of a rotating swivel seat that the installer it may be necessary to disarm some airbags and pre-tensioners in accordance with the seat manufacturer’s instructions. It is important that you discuss any airbag and pre-tensioner disarming with both the installer and your insurance company prior to installation to ensure you are satisfied with what is proposed. The installer will ask you to sign a declaration to confirm that you have agreed to disarm the airbags and pre-tensioners, if necessary. If so, evidence of this will be required at step 3.
Step 3 – Application
An application form and application fee of £220 MUST be submitted electronically using the button below:
Apply online for a hackney carriage vehicle licence
Step 4 – Inspection
Following your application been submitted an officer will contact you to arrange an appointment to inspect your proposed vehicle and receive all supporting documents prior to authorisation for your vehicle test (certificate of compliance)
The Taxi Hub will arrange an inspection appointment for you within 48 hours of your application being made.
The Taxi Hub MUST inspect your new vehicle before the vehicles compliance test.
You must bring along the following documents to the inspection:
- V5 registered keeper document
- Bill of sale for the purchase of the vehicle
- Fully comprehensive insurance certificate for Public Hire
- Taximeter calibration certificate
- Type Approval/Conversion Documentation (Specification A)
- Swivel seat receipt and fitting certificate (Specification B)
- Swivel seat warranty document (Specification B)
- Swivel seat airbag declaration (Specification B).
- A basic criminal disclosure or if you are an existing licensed driver a form consenting to use your DBS subscription (attached).
Consent form for existing licensed drivers for use of DBS subscription
Step 5 – Certificate of Compliance
If the vehicle is (not under 6 months old) then the vehicle MUST be compliance tested at one of the three testing centres, the details and contact numbers are shown below. You will require an e-mail to be sent to the test centre in advance from the Taxi Hub to have the vehicle tested. The fee of £56 is set by the test centre and must be paid directly to them.
Beverley Depot, Annie Reed Road, Beverley
Between 6.30am and 14.30pm, to book an appointment call (01482) 395781 or (01482) 395516.
Carnaby Depot, Carnaby Industrial Estate, Bridlington
Between 6.30am and 12.00 noon, to book an appointment call (01262) 401973.
Goole Depot, Seavy Road, Goole
Between 6.30am and 1200 noon, to book an appointment call (01405) 766938.
Step 6 – Grant of the Licence
When the Taxi Hub has received your certificate of compliance and checked all other supporting documents we will contact you to arrange collection of the licence, plate and stickers.
The Taxi Hub will arrange a plate appointment for you within 7 days of a full application being made.
Step 7 – Livery Installation
Present the vehicle for the installation of the council’s livery at the pre-arranged date and time.
The vehicle does not need to be wrapped before the licence is granted but it will be a condition of the licence. This is arranged by the Taxi Hub.
Tacit consent
A tacit consent does not apply to a hackney carriage vehicle application, meaning that your application will not be automatically granted after a specified period of time. Each application must be considered on its own merits to ensure the vehicle meets all safety requirements.
Equality Act 2010
Section 165 of the Equality Act 2010 has been adopted in the East Riding of Yorkshire, meaning all wheelchair accessible licensed vehicles, deemed capable of carrying a reference sized wheelchair (120 x 70 cm, with a maximum combined weight of 300kg) will be published in accordance with section 167 of the Equality Act 2010.
All drivers of these vehicles are therefore required to carry out the full duties under the Equality Act 2010 as follows:
- carry passengers whilst in the wheelchair
- make no additional charge for doing so
- if a person chooses to sit in a chair, carry the wheelchair
- take such steps as reasonably necessary to ensure the passenger is carried safety and reasonable comfort
- to give passengers such assistance as reasonably required.
Section 166 of the Act makes provision for licensing authorities to issue exemptions to drivers where they are satisfied it is appropriate to do so:
- on medical grounds; or
- on the ground that the person’s physical conditions make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for the person to comply with those duties.
A driver will only be exempt therefore if an exemption certificate has been issued and notice of exemption issued by the Council is exhibited on the vehicle in the prescribed manner.
You can view the list of accessible vehicles under section 167 of the Equality Act 2010.