Taxi Licensing
Hackney and Private Hire Licences
Drivers, vehicles and operators of Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles are all licensed by the Council. Although applications can be made at any time during the year, Hackney carriage licences run from 1 November and Private Hire licences from 1 June.
An application must be completed by the applicant and returned to the Licensing Office with the relevant fee. The application is then processed by the Licensing Team. Once the relevant checks have been completed (usually within a few weeks) and everything is in order, a licence will be issued.
Relevance of Convictions
A policy that usually requires applicants for Hackney or Private Hire Drivers Licences to have a conviction-free period of between 3 – 5 years has been adopted by the Council. Convictions and cautions will normally be shown on the CRB check which all applicants are required to complete as part of their application. Please seek advice from the Licensing Office should there by any doubt about the relevance of convictions before applying for a licence.
Medical Requirements
Applicants will also be required to complete a medical, at their own expense, in order to ensure they meet the Group 2 Vocational Standards to drive. If there is any doubt as to the fitness of the driver the applicant should seek medical guidance before applying.
Driving Test
As from 1 May 2007 all applicants will have to complete a Driving Standards Agency test and produce a pass certificate. Until then applicants will have to pass a driving test which is conducted by a driving examiner appointed by the EDDC.
Once granted a licence will enable the applicant to operate as a Private Hire operator/driver or as a Hackney vehicle driver in the East Devon area.
Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licence Fees
Details of the licensing fees for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licences can be accessed by clicking on either of the links below.
Hackney Carriage and Private Hire - 2008 Fee Table (16KB - PDF Help)
Hackney Carriage and Private Hire - 2008 Fee Table (40KB)(Word)
Guidance Notes
Guidance notes relating to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licensing within East Devon District Council area can be accessed by clicking on the links below
Hackney Carriage Licence guidance notes (111KB)
Private Hire Licence guidance notes (100KB)
Taxi Licensing Office contact - Tel: 01395 517411
