Licensed vehicles can only be driven by holders of a 'private hire' or 'hackney carriage' drivers' licence.
Read more about:
- Hackney Carriage Vehicles
- Private Hire Vehicles
- Age restrictions
- Applying for a private hire vehicle licence
- Vehicle testing
- Taximeters
- Wheelchair accessible vehicles
- Tinted windows
- Taxi licence costs
Hackney Carriage Vehicles
All of the hackney carriage vehicle licences available in York are currently allocated - 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.
Private Hire Vehicles
A private hire vehicle must be any colour except black.
This requirement will apply to new applications and currently licensed vehicles upon change of vehicle.
Age restrictions
Only these European Standards will be accepted for new private hire vehicle applications:
- a petrol or diesel vehicle (or petrol hybrid vehicle or diesel hybrid vehicle) with >75g/km CO2) that is Euro VI or better and less than 10 years old
- an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) including fully Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) that are Euro VI or better
- any Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) that is Euro VI or better (For the avoidance of doubt, as well as petrol and diesel vehicles that are Euro VI or better, this includes, Euro VI
- petrol hybrids, diesel hybrids or PHEVs and all fully electric WAVs)
Please note: ULEVs are currently defined as having less or equal to 75 grams of CO2 per kilometre (g/km) from the tail pipe. Find the CO2 count for your vehicle online. In addition, a WAV is a vehicle constructed or converted specifically so that it can accommodate one or more persons seated in their wheelchair when travelling on the road.
These standards include any subsequent replacement of these vehicles and all replacement vehicles for both taxi and private hire.
Applying for a private hire vehicle licence
There are specific requirements you must meet when submitting a private hire vehicle application.
If you wish to apply for a vehicle licence, you should read the:
- Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Guidance Notes
- Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Taxi Licensing Policy
Complete and return an Application for the Initial Grant of a Private Hire Vehicle Licence form.
Vehicles must comply with the specifications detailed in the guidance notes.
Vehicle licences are issued for one year and are renewed annually.
In addition to a vehicle licence, you will require a 'private hire' or 'hackney carriage' drivers' licence.
These documents may not be accessible for users of assistive technology. You can contact us to request an accessible format.
Vehicle testing
Once you've submitted a complete application, we need to be satisfied that the vehicle meets the required conditions, requirements and is safe. All vehicles are required to undergo an inspection conducted by an approved mechanic at the council’s workshop at the Eco Depot, Hazel Court, York. This will be arranged at an agreed date and time once your application has been approved.
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 or public hire insurance must also be produced before vehicle licences can be issued
Vehicles are tested annually, this is done on a rolling year for both Hackney Carriage and private hire vehicles, with the date determined when vehicle is first licensed.
Vehicles older than 5 years must have a further 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.
Wheelchair accessible vehicles
It's illegal to discriminate against wheelchair users. Licensed drivers are obliged by law to:
- transport wheelchair users in their wheelchair
- provide passengers in wheelchairs with appropriate help
- charge wheelchair users the same as non-wheelchair users
Under Section 167 of the Equality Act 2010, local authorities must produce a list of wheelchair accessible vehicles. View our list of wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Tinted windows
It's considered necessary to ensure that, the Police, council enforcement officers and members of the public can always see into a licensed vehicle in outside lighting conditions.
Irrespective of the type of glass fitted it must at all times comply with Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 regulation 32 in regard to the level of tint. A minimum light transmission value of 70% shall be maintained in front windows except a windscreen, which shall have a minimum light transmission value of 75%. All other windows rear of the B-pillar must have a minimum light transmission value of 30% or above. Tinted films, sprays, blinds applied to the vehicle windows are not permitted.
Taxi licence costs
Find out more about taxi licensing fees and charges.
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