What you need to do to apply.

Do I need a licence?

Any operator that is taking private hire work in Wolverhampton must have a licence with us. This also includes using any Wolverhampton-licensed Drivers and Vehicles.

How much will it cost?

  • New operators licence (1 Year): £1,000
  • Renewal operators licence (1 Year): £750
  • Renewal operators licence (5 Years): £3,000

Small Operators - 4 or less drivers*

  • New operators licence (1 Year): £1,000
  • Renewal operators licence (1 Year): £150
  • Renewal operators licence (5 Years): £500

*Less than 4 drivers will be ongoing for the duration of the licence. You will need to apply for a new licence, attracting a one-year new fee, if your situation changes.

How do I apply?

New Operators can apply as a Sole Trader or a Limited Company.

When you have submitted your online application form, you will receive an email.

A member of the Taxi Licensing team will contact you to take payment via the phone.

To process your application, we require:

  • Your business premises in Wolverhampton. This must be accessible 24/7 by our officers.
  • Proof of right to work in the UK
  • Proof of address – this can be a driving licence, or:
    • Bank/Building Society Statement (UK or EEA) (Non-EEA statements must not be accepted)
    • Credit Card Statement (UK or EEA) (Non-EEA statements must not be accepted)
    • Utility Bill (UK) – Not Mobile Telephone
    • Benefit Statement - e.g. Child Allowance, Pension
    • A document from Central/ Local Government/ Government Agency/ Local Authority giving entitlement (UK & Channel Islands)- e.g. from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Employment Service , Customs & Revenue, Job Centre, Job Centre Plus, Social Security
  • Proof of all your current Private Hire Vehicle Operator Licences
  • Information from any previous authorities you have been licensed with
  • Current Basic DBS certificate – you can obtain one at Gov.uk. Or, an Enhanced DBS certificate if you already have one
    • You will be required to either attend our offices to produce the original certificate alternatively you can send this in the post. This can be posted to: Taxi Licensing, Chapel Street, Bilston, WV14 0PH.
  • Confirmation from Worcestershire County Council of attendance at our Private Hire Training Programme
  • Confirmation that you are aware of your tax responsibilities
  • Your Information Commissioner’s Office Registration number

If you wish to use Private Hire Vehicle Operator signage, you must have an exclusive contract with the Private Hire Vehicle Driver for them to only conduct pre-booked work for yourselves and no other Private Hire Operator.

Signage can be no larger than A4. Signage cannot contain the word ‘taxi’ or ‘cab’ or any similar word.  And must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle and must not be magnetic signage but permanent signage.  The exclusive contract will be required for all vehicles displaying this approved signage.

Signage must display a trading name which matches your records. This may also contain a method of booking. Licensing Services do not permit the use of mobile telephone numbers or phone numbers with no fixed area code (i.e. ‘0800’). Advertising is not permitted on operator signage.

From 4 April 2022, you must confirm you are aware of your tax responsibilities. This applies if you’re an individual, company or any type of partnership. You can find out further information on HMRC Tax Check and follow the tax check guidance at Gov.uk.

Private Hire Training Programme Guidance note

Worcestershire County Council operate this course and lasts approximately 6 hours.

The driver assessment process consists of the following subject areas:

  • Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
  • CSE awareness
  • Modern Slavery
  • County lines
  • Face to face English assessment. If there are concerns, training officers may conduct a recorded interview.
  • Licence conditions
  • Vehicle conditions
  • The licensing process
  • Enforcement and compliance
  • Plying for hire
  • The Health Act 2006
  • Environmental Protection Act 1990
  • Customer safety
  • Customer care
  • Disability awareness (Equality Act 2010)
  • Road and passenger safety
  • Personal safety
  • Suicide awareness
  • Counter terrorism

Upon receiving the above, we will process your application. If everything is correct/complete, your DBS is clear, we will grant your licence. If we receive adverse information, you may need to attend a hearing.

Are you applying for a Private Hire Vehicle Operator Licence as a Sole Trader or Limited Company?

Please check the criteria below before proceeding to apply.

  • A Sole Trader is an individual person.
  • A Limited Company is a registered company on Companies House. This comprises of one or more Directors and/or Company Secretary. 

Apply as a Sole Trader

Apply as a Limited Company

Private Hire Working Group

All licensed operators will receive an invite to attend our working group meetings. This is to discuss updates within the Private Hire sector. This also provides you with an opportunity to add agenda items for discussion.

Renewal of Private Hire Vehicle Operators Licence

To renew a Private Hire Vehicle Operators Licence, please visit the following:

Renewal of Private Hire Vehicle Operators Licence.

Transfer of Private Hire Vehicle Operator Licence

You cannot transfer a Private Hire Vehicle Operator Licences between people/persons. Only an individual can hold a Sole Trader licence - you cannot transfer to another person/company. Limited Companies may change Directors, but not transfer to a different company. A new application is necessary in these scenarios. We will not refund any existing licence fees.

Contact us

Should you need any further information, please email us.

13260