Apply for or renew a vehicle licence (hackney carriage or private hire)
A vehicle licence is required for all hackney carriage (taxi) and private hire vehicles.
Vehicle licences are issued on a 12 month basis.
We only issue licences for vehicles that carry 8 passengers or less. If your vehicle has 9 or more seats, apply on GOV.UK for a Public Service Vehicle Licence.
We'll only licence vehicles that meet the requirements of our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy (view section 4.3 of the Policy).
What you'll need
As part of the online application, you'll need to provide your:
- vehicle insurance documents that cover you for private hire or hackney carriage work (if you're covered by fleet insurance you must also provide the schedule)
- proof of ownership, usually a V5C log book or registration document in the name of the applicant (including pages 1 and 2), or
- a lease or hire contract
- the V5 New Keeper Supplement with an official sales receipt
- a sales receipt from a registered company (for newly manufactured vehicles)
- vehicle lease or hire agreement (if applicable)
- basic criminal record disclosure issued within the last 3 months (if you're not currently a licensed driver) or your original DBS certificate if you're subscribed to the DBS Update Service
- operator declaration and vehicle photographs (if applying for a new executive vehicle)
- a valid MOT and compliance certificate, from a council-approved garage, no more than 4 weeks old
You'll also need to provide:
- details of what was altered and why
- for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, a DVSA Certificate M1
- for Stretch Limousines, a DVSA Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) Certificate
- any other relevant conversion documents
You can book an MOT test and compliance inspection at a council-approved garage:
When booking a test:
- Inform the garage that the vehicle will be a Buckinghamshire Council Licensed vehicle so they know to do the compliance check in addition to the MOT
- ensure you bring the required documents to the test (including your driver badge, if using a licensed vehicle)
When attending a test:
- ensure you are not late and bring the correct documents; if you are late or don't have the documents, you may be refused the test and incur a missed appointment fee
- give the test centre the vehicle’s original V5 or new keeper slip (if applicable), photocopies or photographs are not accepted
- ensure you're wearing your Buckinghamshire Council Driver’s Badge (if the vehicle is currently licenced)
If your vehicle passes the tests, you can make your application online and upload the necessary test certificates.
If your vehicle fails the MOT and compliance test, you will need to rebook whichever test failed and obtain a pass certificate before you can make your application. We will be notified of failures for licensed vehicles and take appropriate action.
Applications submitted without a compliance check may be rejected.
View the council approved garages:
Ed’s Treads
Unit 2a Broadfields Retail Park
Bicester Road
Aylesbury
HP19 8BU
Tel: 01296 424 541
Autotech
42 Townsend Road
Chesham
HP5 2AA
Tel: 01494 793 333
MOT 123
6-7 Chepping Park
High Wycombe
HP12 3RB
Tel: 01494 536 561
Manleys Garage
2 East Richardson street
High Wycombe
Bucks
HP11 2NP
Tel : 01494 523 062
You'll need a valid credit or debit card to pay for your application.
You'll need an online account to apply, renew or make changes to your licence. View our guidance on how to set up an account or make an application.
Privacy
We are the controller for the personal information we use about you. We're committed to protecting your privacy when you use our services.
The law requires us to give you details about how we use and protect your information, view the taxi licensing privacy policy.
Contact
For information and support with the licensing process, you can contact taxi licensing.
Tackling abuse and violence against women and girls
The taxi and private hire trade is important for so many in Buckinghamshire. Licensed drivers and operators can help the White Ribbon campaign and make our community safer, especially for women and girls. Click here to see how you can help.