We have a responsibility to ensure that drivers are fit and proper persons to hold their licence. Drivers are issued with a badge which must be worn at all times when carrying out their duties, we only issue licences after the driver has been checked to make sure they:
have a valid driving licence
are a fit and proper person
understand the relevant laws
have a good knowledge of the Peterborough area with a good standard of driving
If you wish to become a taxi driver you need to:
be at least 18 years of age
hold a current full UK driving licence and have held this for more than one year
You will need to complete an online application for a licence.
You will need the following documents as you will be required to upload them during the online application process. You will be required to present the originals when invited to an interview with a Peterborough City Council licensing officer:
Enhanced disclosure certificate - If you are a member of the disclosure update service then you can provide your current enhanced disclosure and reference number in place of the full enhanced disclosure certificate. Self-enrol and apply for an enhanced DBS check.
Taxi general competency certificate from Peterborough Regional College. Please contact the College for further information.
Medical form signed by a medical practitioner
Driving Assessment Pass Certificate from an approved provider (see below)
Proof of right to work in UK for example a British passport - A list of acceptable documents has been published by the Home Office, further information can be found on GOV.UK's Right to Work checklist
If you have been resident in any country other than the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of man for any length of time since the age of 18, you are required to provide certificate(s) of Good Conduct or equivalent documents from the appropriate Embassy or High Commission of the country/countries in which you have lived in in accordance with our Council Policy. Further information can be found on GOV.UK's Record checks for overseas applicants.
If you are unable to verify your documents with the Post Office, please contact the Licensing Team for further instructions.
Approved Driving Assessment Test providers:
Applicants are responsible for arranging, booking and paying for the test with one of the providers listed below. Pass certificates from other providers will not be accepted. You are also responsible for ensuring you read and understand, the providers test requirements and ensure you bring everything required for the test, e.g. roadworthy licensed vehicle, valid driving licence etc. The providers are duty bound to report to us, any behaviour which may affect an applicant’s ‘fit and proper’ status.
We will send you a reminder to renew your licence six weeks before your current licence expires. To renew, please follow the link provided in the reminder email to access your account. Should you wish to renew your completed application and payment should be submitted before the expiry date of your current badge.
Alternatively, you can log in to your account. Once you have logged in, please click on 'Licences', 'View licence' and 'Renew' to begin the application.
If your application and all documents are not receivedbefore the expiry date, you will be classed as de-licensed and will be required to apply as a new driver should you wish to continue to drive for hire and reward purposes.
Enhanced disclosure certificate - If you are a member of the disclosure update service then you can provide your current enhanced disclosure and reference number in place of the full enhanced disclosure certificate. Self-enrol and apply for an enhanced DBS check.
Medical form signed by a medical practitioner
DVLA driving licence (photo card)
DVLA driving licence check summary and code
Passport style/size photo for ID badge
Proof of right to work in UK for example a British passport - A list of acceptable documents has been published by the Home Office, further information can be found on GOV.UK's Right to Work checklist
Tax conditionality check code
More detailed information can be found in the further information and supporting documents section of this page. If you are unable to verify your documents with the Post Office, please contact the Licensing Team for further instructions.
Please note: keep a note of the reference number, this is your acknowledgement. Should further information be required then a member of the team will contact you., There is no need to call the licensing team for confirmation.
Apply for a vehicle licence
If you wish to licence a new vehicle you will need to complete an online application.
Your vehicle must meet the criteria set out in the 2022 Vehicle Requirements document (opens PDF) and pass a vehicle inspection at our appointed testing station. You will need to bring your vehicle inspection pass sheet with you when you collect your vehicle licence plate. Collection of vehicle licence plates is via appointment only.
You will need the following documents as you will be required to upload them during the application process:
We will send you a reminder to renew your licence six weeks before your current licence expires. To renew, please follow the link provided in the reminder email to access your account.
Alternatively, you can log in to your account. Once you have logged in, please click on 'Licences', 'View licence' and 'Renew' to begin the application.
If your private hire vehicle licence is due to expire in the next 30 days you will need to renew your licence online. You will need the following documents as you will be required to upload them during the application process.
Vehicle insurance certificate
V5C Log book
Book a vehicle inspection test
Your vehicle will need to be tested at our Peterborough City Council testing centre (formally Aragon) to make sure it is safe for the travelling public.
Please note, appointment slots are 45 minutes, late arrivals will not be tested – please arrive five minutes prior to your booked test time. Failure to arrive will incur a no show fee. For queries, please contact 01733 425460.
Report an accident
If you are a taxi driver and need to report an accident then please click on the following link.
If you would like to become a private hire operator you can apply online.
A list of the vehicles you intend to operate (include vehicle owner, vehicle registration, vehicle licence number if already licenced with Peterborough City Council, proof of suitable insurance)
A list of the drivers you intend to operate (include driver name and driver badge number as issued with Peterborough City Council)
A copy of your complaints procedure
A copy of your customer service procedure
Any other relevant training documents for training to be provided to drivers fulfilling bookings
A basic criminal records check certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service for any company directors and any persons with significant control
Proof of right to work in UK, for example a British passport - A list of acceptable documents and further information can be found on GOV.UK's Right to Work checklist. This needs to be provided for company directors and any persons with significant control.
Depending on the number of vehicles you wish to operate, you may also require planning permission for your premises. If you intend to operate a radio communications system you will also need a licence from Ofcom.
For more information please read the private hire operator conditions, private hire policy and current taxi fees in our supporting documents.
A basic criminal records check for any new company directors or persons with significant control
Right to work evidence for any new company directors or persons with significant control
A list of the vehicles you intend to operate (include vehicle owner, vehicle registration, vehicle licence number if already licensed with Peterborough City Council, proof of suitable insurance)
A list of the drivers you intend to operate (include driver name and driver badge number as issued with Peterborough City Council)
A copy of your complaints procedure
A copy of your customer service procedure
Any other relevant training documents for training to be provided to drivers fulfilling bookings
For more information please read the private hire operator conditions, private hire policy and current taxi fees in our supporting documents.
We will send you a reminder to renew your licence six weeks before your current licence expires.
To renew, please follow the link provided in the reminder email to access your account. Once logged in, go to the 'Licence' tab to view your licences. Click the 'Renew' link under the relevant licence to begin the renewal process.
Notify us of a change
If you need to update your licence - for example, due to a change of name or address, or if you wish to transfer your vehicle licence - you can do so through your online account. Use the 'Vary' option under the relevant licence to make the necessary changes. You can also apply for a vehicle plate exemption using this service.
To access your account, if you've already registered, click the button below to log in. Once signed in, click on 'Account' in the top right hand corner of the screen, then select 'Licences' to view your licences.
If you've NOT registered, you must use the link on the email sent to you when the online portal went live. This will allow you to register and retrieve your licences.
The Government is putting in place new tax requirements for applications to certain licences from 4 April 2022. This is supported by a new digital service developed by HMRC. It helps people in the taxi, private hire and scrap metal industries to complete a new tax check.
Most people are registered to pay tax and this is about ensuring everyone pays the tax they should. HMRC is working with industry bodies to make this as straightforward as possible. The check should take a few minutes every few years and is to confirm that someone is appropriately registered for tax.
Changes for new applications
If you are applying for a licence for the first time (or if you previously held a licence but it expired more than one year ago), you will not need to complete the tax check. However, the licensing authority must ensure that you have read the HMRC guidance on what you need to do to be properly registered for tax in the future. You will need to confirm you have done this before the licensing authority can process your application.
Changes for renewal applications
The rules are changing if you’re an individual, company or any type of partnership applying for a licence for a:
Hackney carriage driver
Private hire driver
Private hire vehicle operator
If you make an application on or after 4 April 2022, you will need to complete a tax check if you’re:
Renewing a licence
Applying for the same type of licence you previously held, that ceased being valid less than a year ago
Applying for the same type of licence you already hold with another licensing authority
You must carry out the tax check yourself. You cannot ask a tax agent or adviser to do this on your behalf.
The tax check will ask questions about how you pay any tax that may be due on income you earn from your licensed trade.
After you have completed the tax check you will be given a 9-character tax check code.
You will need to give the code on your application to the licensing authority, so they can confirm you have carried out a tax check. The licensing authority will not be able to grant you a licence if you do not provide a valid tax check code with your renewal application.
From 27 April 2023, all licensing authorities in England are required to:
Add details of any refusal to issue or renew a Taxi or Private Hire driver licence application to the NR3S Register relating to safeguarding or road safety concerns
Record details on the NR3S Register any revocation or suspension of a Taxi or Private Hire driver licence relating to safeguarding or road safety concerns
Search the NR3S Register before issuing or renewing any Taxi or Private Hire driver licence
Where a licence has been refused, revoked or suspended, all licensing authorities in England must record certain required personal information about the applicant / licensed driver on the NR3S database. The information will be retained on the NR3S Register for up to 11 years. Historic decisions may also be added to the register.
The purpose is to assess whether an individual is a fit and proper person to hold a Taxi or Private Hire drivers licence. View the Frequently Asked Questions document below, which includes what information will be added to the NR3S Register.
All data processing and sharing will comply with the Data Protection Act (DPA) and the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). Applicants have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner. You can find further information regarding data protection rights, including contact details for our Data Protection Officer and the Information Commissioner on our Data Protection rights information page.
If you already hold a private hire drivers licence and wish to become a Hackney Carriage driver you will need to take and pass the Hackney Carriage driving test with one of the council’s approved external providers, then complete an application form and pay online. Please download the form, print, complete, make payment online and then send to us with a copy of your driving assessment pass certificate.
If you want your executive luxury vehicle to be exempt from displaying a private hire licence plate, you must apply for a plate exemption. This exemption is valid for the duration of the vehicle licence and must be renewed annually.
If you wish to apply for an exemption outside of your vehicle licence renewal, you can do so online by selecting the 'Vary' option in your online account.
To access your account, if you've already registered, click the button below to log in. Once signed in, click on 'Account' in the top right hand corner of the screen, then select 'Licences' to view your licences.
If you've NOT registered, you must use the link on the email sent to you when the online portal went live. This will allow you to register and retrieve your licences.
If you are applying for a plate exemption at the same time as renewing or applying for a vehicle licence, you can do this directly on the vehicle application form. There’s no need to submit a separate request—just include the exemption request as part of your application.
The Secretary of State has confirmed the byelaws relating to Hackney Carriages licensed by Peterborough City Council will come into force on the 26 April 2018. A copy of the byelaws in full, are available to view below.
The byelaws are also available at the Town Hall, Bridge Street, Peterborough PE1 1HF.
The byelaws regulate proprietors and drivers of Hackney Carriage vehicles. The byelaws relate to:
Provisions regulating the manner in which the number of each hackney carriage corresponding with the number of its licence, shall be displayed
Provision regulating how hackney carriages are to be furnished or provided
Provisions regulating the conduct of the proprietors and drivers of hackney carriages plying with the district in their several employments, and determining whether such drivers shall wear any and what badges
Provisions fixing the rates or fares to be paid for hackney carriages within the district and securing the due publication of such fares
Provision securing the safe custody and re-delivery of any property accidentally left in hackney carriages, and fixing the charges to be made in respect thereof
Penalties
For information, the byelaws were subject to a consultation process which ran from 24 August 2017 to 21 September 2017 and were adopted by Full Council on 13 December 2017.
