Licence - Private Hire Vehicle Licences

Information about Private Hire Vehicle licences.

Private Hire Vehicles cannot ply for hire in the street or at taxi ranks. Journeys must be pre-booked, normally by phone or in person at an operator's office (cab office). Failure to do so is an offence and invalidates the vehicle's insurance cover. The Council does not regulate fares for Private Hire Vehicles - the cost of a journey will normally be based on a rate per mile or should be agreed with the company before the journey.

Private Hire Vehicles licensed by the Council must display a yellow plate on the rear and a smaller internal plate. Roof signs are not permitted. Private Hire drivers must also wear an ID badge issued by the Council, which includes his/her photograph.

There are many different laws affecting proprietors and vehicles but the main Acts of Parliament covering the licensing of Private Hire Vehicles are contained in Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

This Act says we cannot limit the number of Private Hire Vehicle Licences.

How do I licence a vehicle?

Once you have been granted a Private Hire Driver's licence and been issued with a badge, you may then licence your own vehicle for use as a Private Hire Vehicle.

The vehicle must comply with the following conditions:

• Be capable of carrying at least 4 but no more than 8 passengers
• Have an engine size of at least 1300cc
• Have a minimum of 4 opening doors
• Have seats, floor covering and roof linings maintained in a clean condition and be free of tears and cuts
• Carry an approved fire extinguisher and First Aid Kit clearly marked with the vehicle registration number

Although there are currently no age restrictions on the vehicle, it will be subject to stringent mechanical checks by our authorised testers in addition to normal MOT requirements.

There are 3 authorised garages that carry out vehicle licensing tests on our behalf. You should book the test directly with your chosen garage.

Nationwide Auto Centre
Lode Lane
Solihull
Telephone: 0121 705 4351

Auto Q
Unit 7
Chelmsley Wood Ind East
Birmingham
Telephone: 0121 770 1201

Kingshurst Automotive
Saxon Way
Chelmsley Wood
Birmingham
Telephone: 0121 770 9377

The vehicle should be steam cleaned, be in good mechanical condition, the bodywork clean and free of rust and dents. All fittings should be secure; the interior should be in good order, clean and free of grease and unsightly marks. The seating upholstery should be in good, clean condition.

The vehicle must be fitted with a First Aid Kit and at least a 1kg dry powder or gas fire extinguisher labelled with BS EN3.

The fire extinguisher, vehicle jack and wheel brace must be permanently marked with the vehicle registration.

The radio must be securely fitted within the vehicle.

Any appointment made with a garage and subsequently not kept, or a vehicle arriving late for test may incur an additional charge.

The test will be carried out on payment of the fee to the garage and, if your vehicle passes, you will be issued with a set of pass papers. Retest fees are at the discretion of the garage.

To apply for a licence:

• Arrange for a vehicle test at one of the approved garages
• Your pass papers are only valid for 28 days from date of issued and must be produced to Solihull Connect within that time
• Complete the Application for a Private Hire Vehicle Licence form below.
• Submit pass papers, application form and original Certificate of Insurance (or cover note) for Private Hire use to Solihull Connect. Faxes or photocopies of insurance certificates will not be accepted.
• Pay the fee
• The licence will last for 12 months

Once all relevant documentation has been received and checked a licence can be granted and Plates issued. The Plates must be affixed to the outside rear of your vehicle in a manner prescribed by the Council.

Renewing your Private Hire Vehicle Licence

To renew your vehicle licence you must bring the following into Solihull Connect:

• MOT pass papers from the authorised garage (these papers are valid for 28 days from the date of issue)
• Original insurance certificate or cover note (faxes or photocopies are not acceptable)
• Old plate
• Application form which can be downloaded below

Changing your vehicle

Should you wish to change your vehicle part way through the term of the licence, your new vehicle must undergo a test at one of the approved garages. The remaining months left on the existing licence can then be transferred to the new vehicle on presentation of a completed Hackney Carriage/Private Hire - Change of Vehicle form below, garage test papers, original insurance, and payment of the fee.

The application forms and relevant documents listed above should be submitted to Solihull Connect.

Selling your vehicle

If you decide to sell your vehicle, the Plates must be returned to the Licensing office or Solihull Connect prior to the sale. If the vehicle is sold to another licensed Private Hire Driver, a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire - Change of Owner form, must be completed by both parties and, on payment of the relevant fee and production of insurance by the new owner, the licence can be transferred.

The application forms and relevant documents listed above should be submitted to Solihull Connect.

A Private Hire Vehicle must not appear to be a taxi, in particular it cannot have any signs with the words 'taxi' or 'for hire' displayed. All journeys must be pre-booked through a licensed Operator.

General guidance for Private Hire Vehicle Licence holders

All licence holders must:

• Report a change of address in writing to the Licensing office within 7 days
• Report details of an accident to the Licensing office within 72 hours
• Provide proof of continuing insurance cover
• Display the Plate on the outside rear of the vehicle by means of the bracket provided or by affixing to the rear bumper
• Return the Plate to the Licensing office for safe keeping whenever insurance cover is not in operation, e.g. extended holiday, illness. Failure to do so may result in the licence being suspended or revoked. The Plate remains the property of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and must be surrendered to an authorised officer on request.

Notes:

Lost or stolen Plate - a replacement Plate can be issued upon payment of a fee and completion of an application form. You must also report the loss of the Plate to a Police station and obtain a lost property reference number.

Smoking in Private Hire Vehicles – Smoking is not permitted in Private Hire Vehicles at any time, regardless of whether there are passengers on board, or the driver is working at the time. All Private Hire Vehicles must have on display a legal no smoking sign. These can be obtained from: www.smokefreeengland.co.uk

Technical specifications for Private Hire Vehicles

There are many different makes and styles of vehicle on the road today. Not all vehicles would be suitable for use as a Private Hire Vehicle and the Council has therefore approved certain standards to guide proprietors on the type of vehicle considered suitable bearing in mind public comfort/safety and the legal requirements previously mentioned.

The specifications we apply to vehicles are as follows:

• that your vehicle is in an immaculate condition both mechanically and cosmetically. There is no age limit on this type of licence, but vehicles are expected to remain in a first class condition.
• that your vehicle is right hand drive. We will not accept any "conversions" from left to right hand drive under any circumstances. The vehicle must not have less than four road wheels.
• that your vehicle (if a car) has a minimum of 4 doors giving adequate access and egress from the vehicle. The design of the car can be saloon, hatchback or estate.
• that your vehicle has a wheelbase (when measured from the centre of the front wheel to the centre of the rear wheel) of at least 2540mm (100 inches).
• that your vehicle has a back seat width (when measured in a continuous line from edge to edge) of at least 1220mm (48 inches).
• that your vehicle provides easy access from a door to any passenger seat and no "tip up" seat mechanism shall be accepted.
• that your vehicle is constructed or adapted to carry a minimum of 4 passengers in comfort.
• that your vehicle (if a minibus or "people mover") has sufficient doors of sufficient size to allow passengers to get in and out quickly and safely.
• it is a requirement of the Council that seat belts be provided for all persons, irrespective of age, and according to the licensed capacity of the vehicle.
• the seat belt notice (provided by us) is to be displayed inside the vehicle.
• the licence number shall be displayed both on the outside and inside of the vehicle on the official plates provided.
• that the vehicle does not in any way represent a Hackney Carriage Vehicle, i.e. large MPV style vehicles must not be black.