Private Hire Vehicle

A Private Hire Vehicle can only be pre-booked and is not able to be hired from the street or a taxi rank. A licence lasts for one year.

Some of our requirements to consider when licensing your vehicle as a Private Hire Vehicle are:

• Once a vehicle is licensed as a Private Hire Vehicle it can only be driven by a driver licensed by Breckland Council.
  • Ourdriver's licence entitles you to drive both a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle.
• The vehicle must be checked by our Licensing Team to ensure it is suitable for licensing as a Private Hire Vehicle.
  • The vehicle must have at least four passenger seats.
  • The vehicle must have a fire extinguisher on board.
  • The vehicle must have a first aid kit on board.
  • The vehicle cannot have a toplight.
  • The vehicle cannot have a roof or boot rack installed.
• The vehicle must be licensed to work under aPrivate Hire Operator.
• A fee Taxi Licensing Fees is payable, we will contact you to take this payment.
• An appointment must be made in order for you to licence a new Private Hire Vehicle by contacting us on 01362 656870 or emailing the licensingteam@breckland.gov.uk
  • When you come to the appointment you will be required to bring a:
    • Completed application form
    • Mechanical Test form
    • Valid MOT certificate (for vehicles over 12 months of age)
    • V5 registration document or supplement
    • Insurance certificate, which must cover for Private Hire use
    • Payment by debit or credit card or cheque
  • At the appointment your vehicle will be issued with a licence, rear plate and shield and the licence will last for one year.

Breckland Council will licence Executive Private Hire Vehicles which are issued with an internal sticker rather than a plate if the vehicle meets the Executive Private Hire Vehicle conditions (PDF) [45KB] (opens new window) .

It is illegal for a driver to refuse to carry a guide or assistance dog unless the driver has a medical exemption certificate issued by the council.  Drivers that refuse to carry a guide or assistance dog and do not have an exemption certificate could face a fine of up to £1,000 following a conviction at the Magistrates Court.

All Hackney Carriages, Private Hire Vehicles and Operator's Booking Offices are required to be smoke-free, please read our information and guidance on smoke free environments (PDF) [35KB] (opens new window) .

For the full conditions of licensing a Private Hire Vehicle please refer to the Taxi Licensing page

If you are happy to licence the vehicle as a Private Hire Vehicle, please request thePrivate Hire Vehicle application form.

Alternatively, if you would prefer the documents to be posted to you, pleasecontact us and we'll be happy to help.

You may want to licence your vehicle as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle, are you aware of thewhat the difference is between a hackney carriage and private hire vehicle?