Apply for or renew a private hire vehicle licence

• private hire vehicles may only be booked in advance
• they are identified by signs on the side of the vehicle, giving details of their licence number, and a red licence plate on the rear
• vehicles must not be the same colour as a Hackney Carriage, or have a roof sign
• fares should be agreed at the time of booking
• CCTV in licensed vehicles (from April 2023)
• emissions standards for licensed vehicles
• a suitability test for vehicle proprietors
• a transparent policy on executive hires
• the vehicle must be less than 5 years old (from the date of first registration) at the time of initial licensing
• the vehicle must meet the vehicle specification as set out in the Council's Licensing Policy

Licences for PHVs will only be granted to vehicles that meet the requirements. Please read our updated taxi policy 2021 (PDF, 1 MB) before starting your application.

Once the vehicle is licensed as a private hire vehicle, it may only be driven by a driver holding either a private hire drivers licence or a dual Hackney Carriage/private hire driver's licence issued by the council, even when the vehicle is off duty. 

The vehicle must also maintain its appearance as a private hire vehicle, including displaying any signage and plate.

We offer pre-application advice on this licence.

Fees

To apply for a private hire vehicle licence, you will need:

• the correct fee payable by credit or debit card
• certificate of insurance covering the passenger for hire and third party risks
• vehicle registration document V5 or new owner tear off slip
• proof of ownership of the vehicle
• hire purchase agreement (if your vehicle is on hire purchase)
• MOT test certificate (required when 12 months old)
• HPI report (for pre-owned vehicles)
• European whole vehicle type approval certificate
• mechanical test certificate passed within the last month. You can book your vehicle in online at Woking Road Depot (see our MOT testing page)

Use our transfer a vehicle licence application form (PDF, 228 KB) to transfer a licence from one proprietor to another.

Start your application

To make this application you will need to:

1. click the button below, create an account, or log in to the licensing portal
2. after logging in select 'licensing' from the left hand side menu 
3. select taxis and private hire
4. you can then select the licence to apply for or renew

Apply for a private hire vehicle licence (opens new window)

To renew your private hire vehicle licence, you will need:

• the correct fee payable by credit or debit card
• a certificate of insurance covering the passenger for hire and third party risks, valid for the date the licence is due to begin
• vehicle registration document V5
• MOT test certificate (required when 12 months old) valid for the date the licence is due to commence
• mechanical test certificate, passed within the last month

Start your application

To make this application you will need to:

1. click the button below, create an account, or log in to the licensing portal
2. after logging in select 'licensing' from the left hand side menu 
3. select taxis and private hire
4. you can then select the licence to apply for or renew

Renew your private hire vehicle licence (opens new window)

To apply for a temporary private hire vehicle licence, you will need:

• a certificate of insurance covering the passenger for hire and third party risks
• a vehicle registration document V5 or new owner tear off slip
• proof of ownership of the vehicle
• hire purchase agreement (if your vehicle is on hire purchase)
• MOT test certificate (required when 12 months old). You can book your MOT online
• HPI report (for pre-owned vehicles)
• European whole vehicle type approval certificate
• mechanical test certificate passed within the last month. You can book your MOT online
• evidence of a right to work in the UK if you are not currently a licensed driver within Guildford
• a basic DBS check (opens new window) if the applicant is not currently a licensed driver within Guildford

Start your application

To make this application you will need to:

1. click the button below, create an account, or log in to the licensing portal
2. after logging in select 'licensing' from the left hand side menu 
3. select taxis and private hire
4. you can then select the licence to apply for or renew

Apply for a temporary private hire vehicle licence (opens new window)

In order to be considered for plate exemption, the work you carry out must be exclusively or primarily chauffeured private hire work. This means that you provide the chauffeur and vehicle to a business or person, and the display of a licence plate may affect the security of the person you are carrying.

To apply for plate exemption, you will need:

• a letter from you explaining why you should be exempt
• letters from clients showing the vehicle is required for chauffeured work and why the display of a plate would be a risk to the client
• three months of booking records for all operators the driver works for, showing that the vehicle is used for chauffeured work 
• invoices for each named client who has given a letter in support of your application 

It is expected that 80% of the booking records supplied should be for the named clients who have supplied letters.

Start your application

To make this application you will need to:

1. click the button below, create an account, or log in to the licensing portal
2. after logging in select 'licensing' from the left hand side menu 
3. select taxis and private hire
4. you can then select the licence to apply for or renew

Apply for a plate exemption (opens new window)

Booking records

The booking records should show:

• date and time and location of pick-up
• name of passenger
• contact details of passenger
• the destination
• time the booking was made
• time the booking was given to the driver
• plate number and badge number of the vehicle and driver attending the booking
• price for the booking
• time the booking was completed

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure the records you supply are clear and include all of the above information. Failure to do so will result in your application being delayed or refused.

Please note that if your request is granted, you are required to carry the vehicle plate and letter of exemption in the vehicle at all times. The internal plate must be displayed in the windscreen on the passenger side at all times.

What you need to apply

You will need the documents listed below to apply. Make sure you have these documents ready to upload before you start your application. 

• a certificate of insurance covering the passenger for hire and third party risks
• a vehicle registration document V5 or new owner tear off slip
• proof of ownership of the vehicle
• hire purchase agreement (if your vehicle is on hire purchase)
• MOT test certificate (required when 12 months old). You can book your MOT online
• HPI report (for pre-owned vehicles)
• European type approval (if the vehicle is imported or has been adapted)
• mechanical test certificate passed within the last month. You can book your MOT online

Start your application

To make this application you will need to:

1. click the button below, create an account, or log in to the licensing portal
2. after logging in select 'licensing' from the left hand side menu 
3. select taxis and private hire
4. you can then select the licence to apply for or renew

Apply to change your private hire vehicle (opens new window)

What you need to apply

You will need the documents listed below to apply. Make sure you have these documents ready to upload before you start your application. 

• bill of sale
• V5 with new owners details (or completed tear off slip)
• HPI Report
• insurance with new drivers name
• letter confirming transfer of licence signed and dated by original licence holder and the new licence holder
• evidence of a right to work in the UK if you are not currently a licensed driver with Guildford
• a basic DBS check (opens new window) if the applicant is not currently a licensed driver with Guildford

Start your application

To make this application you will need to:

1. click the button below, create an account, or log in to the licensing portal
2. after logging in select 'licensing' from the left hand side menu 
3. select taxis and private hire
4. you can then select the licence to apply for or renew

Apply to transfer your private hire vehicle licence (opens new window)

What you need to apply

You will need the documents listed below to apply. Make sure you have these documents ready to upload before you start your application. 

• updated V5 (registration document)
• certificate of insurance showing new details

Start your application

To make this application you will need to:

1. click the button below, create an account, or log in to the licensing portal
2. after logging in select 'licensing' from the left hand side menu 
3. select taxis and private hire
4. you can then select the licence to apply for or renew

Apply for a private hire vehicle detail change (opens new window)

What you need to apply

You will need the document listed below to apply. Make sure you have this document ready to upload before you start your application. 

• a written document (typed or hand written) explaining reasons for a replacement

Start your application

To make this application you will need to:

1. click the button below, create an account, or log in to the licensing portal
2. after logging in select 'licensing' from the left hand side menu 
3. select taxis and private hire
4. you can then select the licence to apply for or renew

Apply for a replacement private hire vehicle plate (opens new window)

What you need to apply

You will need the document below to apply. Make sure you have this document ready to upload before you start your application. 

• a signed and dated document stating you wish to surrender

Start your application

To make this application you will need to:

1. click the button below, create an account, or log in to the licensing portal
2. after logging in select 'licensing' from the left hand side menu 
3. select taxis and private hire
4. you can then select the licence to apply for or renew

Surrender your private hire vehicle licence (opens new window)

What you need to apply

You will need the document below to apply. Make sure you have this document ready to upload before you start your application. 

• a signed and dated document giving reasons why new signage is required

Start your application

To make this application you will need to:

1. click the button below, create an account, or log in to the licensing portal
2. after logging in select 'licensing' from the left hand side menu 
3. select taxis and private hire
4. you can then select the licence to apply for or renew

Apply for new signage for your private hire vehicle (opens new window)