Apply for executive vehicle status

It is important that licensed private hire vehicles are easily recognised in order to safeguard the public. We generally require licensed vehicles to display rear licence plates, window cards and door signs to identify the vehicle as licensed.

This may not always be necessary in cases where vehicles are used solely for executive purposes. For these vehicles, more discreet window cards can be issued instead of the usual licence plate, and the requirement to display door stickers can be waived. Furthermore, these vehicles may also be permitted tinted rear passenger windows.

Executive status will only be granted to vehicles used solely:

• for corporate or other business account customers who have a contract or written agreement with the licence holder; and
• payment is made in advance or on an account basis and not direct to the driver

Being selective over clients, general airport runs, and pre-agreeing fares does not constitute executive hire work.

The vehicle must be a high quality, executive or prestigious style vehicle. Examples include:

• 5 or 7 series BMW
• E, R or S Class Mercedes
• Jaguar XF or XJ
• Chrysler Grand Voyager

Or similar vehicles. If your vehicle is not one of those listed, you will need to supply us with the full specification of the vehicle for consideration before making a purchase.

The vehicle must be in pristine condition with no visible defects, dents or blemishes to the external bodywork, internal trim or seating.

In addition to the standard vehicle licence application requirements, we also require:

• a signed declaration form from the vehicle operator with supporting evidence of the executive status of the work; examples of supporting evidence we will accept are any one of the following:
  • recent bookings records
  • references from current clients
  • business plan or description of intended executive style work
• photographs of the interior and exterior of the vehicle taken at the time the application is made
• a declaration from the applicant

If you're applying to renew a vehicle licence with executive status, you are not required to provide an operator declaration or further supporting evidence, unless we want further verification of the executive status of the vehicle.

Officers from our Licensing Service may contact you to confirm the details given in your application before we make a decision.

If you are aggrieved by our decision to refuse executive status for your vehicle, you have the right to appeal within 14 days of the date of the decision. Send your appeal by email or in the post to:

Email: [email protected]

Post:

Taxi Licensing
The Gateway
Gatehouse Road
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP19 8FF

If executive status is granted, the status may be removed at any time after it has been granted if there is evidence that the conditions and requirements are not being complied with. The vehicle will then be subject to the standard private hire conditions for the display of licence plates, door stickers and non-tinted windows.

View full details of our executive vehicle policy in the Hackney Carriage and Licensing Policy.