Apply for or renew a Hackney Carriage vehicle licence

• Hackney Carriages (taxicabs) may be hailed, hired from a taxi rank or pre-booked
• they have a roof sign and a white licence plate on the rear
• they must be our teal colour (Pantone 321)
• maximum fares for journeys within our borough are regulated by us
• a taximeter will be used
• CCTV in licensed vehicles (from April 2023)
• emissions standards for licensed vehicles
• a suitability test for vehicle proprietors
• 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 Hackney Carriages will only be granted to vehicles that meet the requirements. Please read our  updated taxi policy 2021 (PDF) [1MB] before starting your application.

Taxi livery

All Hackney Carriages must have the Guildford Borough Council livery (colouring). 

• see the details of the taxi livery specification. (PDF) [223KB]
• we have a list of providers of the livery

Once the vehicle is licensed as a hackney carriage, it may only be driven by a driver with a Hackney Carriage driver's licence. 

The vehicle must also maintain its appearance as a Hackney Carriage, including any signage, roof sign and plate.

We offer pre-application advice on this licence.

Fees

To apply for a Hackney Carriage 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)
• certificate showing the meter has been calibrated and sealed

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 Hackney Carriage vehicle licence (opens new window)

To renew your Hackney Carriage 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 a Hackney Carriage 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. 

• 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). 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 vehicle in online 
• certificate showing the meter has been calibrated and sealed
• 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 for a temporary Hackney Carriage 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. 

• 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). 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 vehicle in online
• certificate showing the meter has been calibrated and sealed

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 Hackney Carriage vehicle change (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 Hackney Carriage 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 Hackney Carriage vehicle detail change (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 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 Hackney Carriage replacement 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 Hackney Carriage vehicle licence (opens new window)