Private hire operator licence

Private hire vehicles and drivers may only be despatched by a licensed private hire operator. A person can apply for an operator's licence to operate from premises within the borough.

Operators are required to keep records of all their bookings in a format determined by the council. This may include paper logs or computer records.

Fares should be agreed in advance and at the time of booking provided detailed journey information is given. Operators may subcontract bookings to other operators both within and outside the borough or district in which they are licensed. The operator  remains contractually responsible for the initial booking. They must ensure that the operator to whom the booking is subcontracted holds all the necessary operator, vehicle and driver licences from the authority in which that operator is located.

Operators are only permitted to despatch drivers and vehicles licensed by the same local authority as them. 

An authenticated certificate of good conduct should be obtained by applicants who have not been resident in the United Kingdom for the previous five years. You must obtain this from your appropriate embassy and this must be provided in English, from the age of 16 years old. Further details of how to obtain this certificate may be found on the GOV.UK website.    

Disclosure and Barring Certificate 

If you require a new Enhanced DBS Certificate, then please now use Wokingham Borough Council TaxiPlus.

Please be mindful that the Department of Transport is directing all Licensing Authorities to mandate the use of DBS Update Service. Although this feature is not currently mandatory, it is likely to form part of the policy requirements later this year. Taxi Plus have produced a useful guide to the DBS Update Service. The cost of an Enhanced DBS Certificate is £53, and the DBS Update Service subscription is £13 per year.

If you have any questions about obtaining a DBS check visit the TaxiPlus website to view the most frequently asked questions.

Applications

• Wokingham hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy (PDF)
• Application for private hire school and community services operation licence (PDF)

Completed forms

The completed application form and supporting documents must sent to: 

Licensing, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN 

or emailed to:

Licensing@wokingham.gov.uk 

Fees

Go to the  fees and payments page to find out the cost.