• Key Information
  • Licence Conditions
  • Applicant details
  • Business details
  • Operating details
  • Current licences
  • Previous applications
  • Declaration
  • Complete

You will not be able to save your application progress so please check that you have all the necessary information and electronic copies of the documents listed below before you start the application.

If you do not have them before you start, please return to this page when you have all the information listed below.

Key information

  • National Insurance number 
  • Private Hire Business contact information, and/or  satellite office contact information
  • HMRC Tax Check Code which you can obtain from Gov.uk and licence information if you:
    • already have a licence of the same type that is still valid
    • have a licence of the same type that ceased to be valid less than a year ago 
  • Your Information Commissioner’s Office Registration number 
  • Details of any alleged offences or criminal investigations 
  • Details of current/previous Private Hire Vehicle Operator Licences held with other licensing authorities 
  • An emergency contact number (24-hour availability) 
  • Details of the booking system to be used (e.g. paper-based or computer system) 
  • Your preferred weekday availability to attend our Private Hire Training Programme and our Taxi Licensing office for document verification (this will be on the same day) 

Documentation

You will need to upload the following documents as part of the application. These will need to be scanned originals or good quality photographs taken with a smartphone. Acceptable file formats are PDF, JPG or PNG.

  • A current Basic DBS certificate – you can obtain by visiting Request a basic DBS check. Or, all pages of a current Enhanced DBS certificate if you already hold one. 
  • A colour photo of the proposed vehicle signage (use of magnetic stickers is prohibited). Signage cannot contain any advertising or the word ‘taxi’ or ‘cab’ or any similar word. Signage must contain the trading name which matches your records.
  • Planning permission (if applicable)
  • A Criminal Record Certificate or equivalent if you have been resident in another country for 3 or more months continuously since the age of 18. Check the country where you have been resident to find out how to obtain a Criminal Record Certificate, Certificate of Good Conduct or equivalent from them.  

If you have any queries with regards to your documentation before applying please email Operator.Lic@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Important Information

Paying for your licence

The application fee for a Licence to Operate Private Hire Vehicles is £1,000 for a 1-year licence and must be paid as part of this application process. Following submission of your application, you will be contacted by a member of our Customer Services team to make a secure payment by debit or credit card by telephone.

Application fees will not be refunded.

Private Hire Training Programme and Document Verification

You will be required to attend our Private Hire Training Programme following submission of your application, as part of the process to obtain a Private Hire Vehicle Operator’s Licence.  

This one-day training course will take place at Bilston Town Hall, Wolverhampton WV14 0AP. You will be notified of your training date and time by email.  

After you have completed your training, you will be required to attend our Taxi Licensing office, Chapel Street, Wolverhampton, WV14 0PH on the same day, to present your documents for identification and verification:  

  • UK Passport or Biometric Residence Permit (Right to Work)
    • You must have the correct immigration status to apply for a Licence to Operate Private Hire Vehicles, and the licence will lapse if you cease to be entitled to work in the UK. Your right to work in the UK will be checked as part of your licensing application. You will be required to bring original documents, such as a passport or biometric residence permit, so that the check can take place. You will be advised further in this matter before a licence is issued.
  • DVLA Driver Licence 

Data Handling

The information you provide may be held in manual or computerised form and will be subject to the provisions of UK data protection laws.  

The City of Wolverhampton Council is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes. For more details please visit the City of Wolverhampton Council website and see Fair Processing Notice Data Matching. 

For further information see also: 

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