Taxi Licensing Policy Consultation
The council are consulting on a revised policy which details how we licence taxis and private hire vehicles, operators and driver and we would welcome your views on the new policy.
The Taxi Licensing Policy Consultation is open from 19 April, and closes on 14 July 2024.
This is the first major review of our taxi policy for some years and will incorporate revised statutory guidance together with increased checks on drivers to ensure their continued fitness and propriety.
Members of the public, the taxi trade and other parties such as representatives of disability groups, local partnerships and transport user groups will be invited to offer feedback on the revised policy. All feedback will be considered as part of the decision-making process.
Licensed vehicles can only be driven by holders of a 'private hire' or 'hackney carriage' drivers' licence.
All of the hackney carriage vehicle licences available in York are currently allocated - please write to our Taxi Licensing team if you would like to be added to the waiting list.
We restrict the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences we issue and there is a waiting list for people who would like to apply for a hackney carriage vehicle licence, should any further vehicle licences be released.
Please write to Taxi Licensing if you wish to apply to join the waiting list.
Applying for a vehicle licence
Complete and return a private hire vehicle licence application form.
Vehicles must comply with the specifications detailed in the guidance notes.
Vehicle licences are renewed annually:
- hackney carriage vehicles on 1 June
- private hire vehicles on 1 November
You may apply at any time of the year, but there is no reduction for licences issued part way through the year.
In addition to a vehicle licence, you will require a 'private hire' or 'hackney carriage' drivers' licence.
Vehicle testing
Arrange a date and time for a vehicle inspection at Hazel Court depot with a member of our Taxi Licensing Team once you receive your driver's licence.
You need to ensure:
- your vehicle is mechanically sound
- your vehicle is in a clean and tidy condition
- you have the vehicle registration document, MOT test certificate and normal insurance documents with you
- private hire/public hire insurance must also be produced before vehicle licences can be issued
Vehicles are tested annually before the start of the new licensing year (1 June for hackney carriages and on a rolling year for private hire vehicles, with the date determined when vehicle is first licensed).
Vehicles older than 5 years must have a vehicle safety examination approximately 6 months after the initial grant or annual inspection at a date determined by us.
Taximeters
Vehicles fitted with approved taximeters (these are compulsory for hackney carriages but optional for private hire vehicles) must also submit the meter for a test by the Taxi Licensing Office. Meters are only tested after the vehicle has been licensed.
Smoking in licensed vehicles
The law requires public transport to be smoke-free. Work vehicles are required to be smoke-free if they are used in the course of paid or voluntary work by more than one person, regardless of whether they are in the vehicle at the same time.
It is the legal responsibility of anyone who drives, controls or manages licensed vehicles to prevent people from smoking in them.
Anyone who does not comply with the smoke-free law is committing a criminal offence and individuals who smoke in a smoke-free place may be liable to a fixed penalty notice.
For more information, please visit our webpage on smoke-free businesses.
'No Smoking' stickers must be affixed to hackney carriage and private hire vehicles.
Taxi licence costs
Find out more about taxi licensing fees and charges.