Hackney carriage (Taxi) vehicle licence
A hackney carriage licence, commonly known as a taxi licence, is required for any chauffeur-driven hire vehicle with up to 8 passenger seats that can:
- be paid to hire
- be flagged down
- hired at a taxi rank
Taxi's must display:
- a roof sign
- a yellow plate on the front of the vehicle and a smaller internal card, which details the vehicle and taxi licence number.
- a yellow plate on the rear of the vehicle which displays the expiry date of the licence
Taxi fares and charges
Select one of the following to view the taxi fares and charges from 1 July 2022:
Tariff 1: between 6am and midnight
The fares and charges for tariff 1, which are charged between 6am and midnight are:
- Start fare (for the first mile): £3.50
- Thereafter 25p per 1/10th mile or part thereof
- Waiting time: 30p each minute
Tariff 2: between midnight and 6am
The fares and charges for tariff 2, which are charged between midnight and 6am are:
- Start fare (for the first mile): £5.25
- Thereafter 37.5p per 1/10th mile or part thereof
- Waiting time: 40p each minute
Other charges
Public and Bank Holidays, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day to be charged at tariff 2 all day.
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to be charged at tariff 2 from 6pm.
Luggage (excluding shopping, wheelchairs and pushchairs) outside the passenger compartment: 20p each item.
Carriage of each domestic pet, excluding guide dogs: 20p each pet.
Soiling charge: £100.00.
Surcharge per passenger for journeys more than 4 passengers: 20p each passenger over 4 passengers.
Customers are advised to check the fare charged against the meter.
The fare must not exceed the council’s maximum Hackney carriage fares.
How to apply for a taxi licence
Before you apply for a taxi vehicle licence, you must make sure that your vehicle:
- complies with the specification and conditions
- is less than 5 years old at the time of application
To apply for a taxi vehicle licence, you must complete an application form and return it to us along with:
- the vehicle registration (V5) document showing the registered keeper on page 1 and the vehicle specifications on page 2, or a Bill of Sale / Lease agreement showing the same details
- your current certificate of insurance and schedule if applicable
- certificate of compliance and inspection sheet
- the licence fee
- Mobility Tail Lift Service and Weight Test Certificate (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulation (LOLER) certificate where applicable)
Certificate of compliance
When you first apply for a taxi licence, your vehicle must pass a compliance test. This must be carried out at our licensed testing station at the Expressway Business Park, Abergele Road, Bodelwyddan LL18 5SQ. You can make an appointment by calling 01745 839244.
The compliance test, which includes an MOT certificate, will ensure that your vehicle meets the required standards. Vehicles new to the Denbighshire taxi “fleet” must not be over 5 years old. If your vehicle passes the compliance test, you will be given a certificate of compliance and an inspection sheet.
Insurance
You must provide proof that your vehicle is suitably insured. This means you must provide an insurance certificate that covers public hire or hackney carriage plying for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward. Your insurance broker will be able to advise you on getting the right insurance cover
Application form
Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence application (MS Word, 608KB)
Please email your application form and supporting documents listed above to licensing@denbighshire.gov.uk
Granting your licence
When we have received all the paperwork, and are satisfied that your vehicle meets our requirements, including the fitting of a roof sign and taxi meter, we will issue the vehicle licence and plates for your vehicle. We will contact you to arrange collection at our office.
How long is the licence valid for?
Licences are granted for a maximum period of 12 months.
How much does it cost?
Applying for a hackney carriage vehicle licence currently costs £200
View all taxi driver, vehicle and operator fees
How to pay
Payment can be made by card over the phone to customer services (01824 706000) – please provide cost code 3476-00000-40100 or you can pay by BACS. Payment by cheque or cash is only available at one of Denbighshire’s One Stop Shops.
Payment by BACS
Our BACS details are:
- Bank: Natwest, 5 Queen Street, Rhyl, LL18 1RS
- Sort code: 54 41 06
- Account number: 22837469
- Account name: Denbighshire County Council County Fund
Please ensure that you include your name or vehicle registration as a reference when you are making payment together with the cost code 3476-40100 (please ensure you include the hyphen otherwise your payment may not reach us). Once payment has been made, please send a copy of the remittance to licensing@denbighshire.gov.uk.
Failing to provide the appropriate cost code or premises name may delay processing your application.
Vehicle Accident Notification Form
If a licensed vehicle is damaged, and that damage affects the safety, performance and appearance of the licensed vehicle or the comfort or convenience of persons carried then the accident must be reported in writing within 72 hours of the accident.
The vehicle’s proprietor is required to use the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Accident Report Form to report the accident. Details must be accurate and complete.
Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Accident Report Form (PDF, 605KB)
Surrender of licence
To surrender your licence, please complete the Hackney carriage/private hire vehicle licence surrender form and return to licensing@denbighshire.gov.uk and please ensure you return your licence plates and internal card within 7 days to:
Licensing Section
Denbighshire County Council
PO Box 62
Ruthin
LL15 9AZ
Failure to do so could result in a daily fine as defined in Section 58 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
Hackney carriage/private hire vehicle licence surrender form (PDF, 85KB)
Transfer of ownership
To transfer the vehicle licence from yourself to another person, please complete the Hackney carriage/private hire vehicle licence transfer consent form and return to licensing@denbighshire.gov.uk along with the following:
- Consent form to transfer licence from existing/current licence holder(s)
- V5 registration document showing the new registered keeper on page 1 and the vehicle specifications on page 2, or a Bill of Sale / Lease agreement showing the same details
- your current certificate of insurance and schedule if applicable
- the fee of £60
Hackney carriage/private hire vehicle licence transfer consent form (PDF, 80KB)
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
The Equality Act 2010 places duties on both licensed Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Drivers who operate Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles to carry passengers in a wheelchair and provide assistance to ensure safety and reasonable comfort, for no additional charge.
Exemption to the carriage of wheelchairs
You will need to complete a Carriage of wheelchairs exemption application form to apply for an exemption to carrying wheelchairs and offering assistance.
The form must be completed by the applicant’s General Practitioner or other Specialist Medical Practitioner, and must be accompanied by sufficient evidence such as a full diagnosis, details of ongoing investigations etc.
Visit GOV.WALES to get a carriage of wheelchairs exemption application form (external website)
A simple statement from a medical professional will not be considered sufficient for the purpose of the exemption request. Any costs incurred in this process will be payable by the applicant.
Equality Act medical exemption policy
You can visit the Welsh Government website to view the Equality Act medical exemption policy.
Welsh Government: Taxi and private hire vehicles - Equality Act medical exemption policy (external website)
More information
You can get more information from our Hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy and conditions document.
Hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy and conditions (PDF, 519KB)