Private hire operators licence

Before applying, you will need to complete the following pre-application steps.

In the case of a partnership or limited company, each of the criteria is required for each partner or director, unless otherwise stated.

We will check this information with Companies House.

Our licensing policy

You can download our Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

Our frequently asked questions page can help you understand the changes in the new policy.

Basic DBS disclosure certificate 

You must provide a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate, dated within one month. 

This is not required if you are:

• a Solihull licensed driver
• subscribed to the DBS update service

Disability awareness training 

You will need to complete disability awareness training and provide your test certificates, dated within the last six months. 

You can book a course with BLT Driver Training.

Right to work

If you have a UK passport (either current or expired) you must provide this as proof of your right to work in the UK. 

If you are a British citizen but do not have a current or expired UK passport, you must provide other documents. You can check this at GOV.UK

If you are not a British citizen, you must provide a share code to enable us to check your eligibility to work in the UK. 

HMRC tax check (where applicable)

If you currently hold a private hire or hackney carriage driver or operator licence in any other authority or have held one with this or any authority within the last 12 months, you must:

• complete a tax check
• provide the 9-character check code to us

The code will expire after 120 days.

If you do not hold a licence

We will not need a tax check if you:

• do not currently hold a private hire or hackney carriage driver or operator licence
• have not had a licence within the last 12 months in this or any other authority

We will require you to sign a declaration confirming that you do not have a licence. 

Partnerships and limited companies

In the case of a partnership or limited company, the tax check or declaration will only be required for that partnership or company.

References

You will need to provide the names, email addresses and contact numbers of two referees.

They will need to provide information about your:

• character
• work history
• business knowledge
• trustworthiness

We will then contact them with a template request.

Additional documents required

You will need to provide:

• a completed application form
• proof of Public liability insurance (minimum £5m)

Book your appointment

Once you have all your documents ready and have completed all the pre-application criteria, please email us at licensing@solihull.gov.uk to book an appointment.

You will need to provide:

• your full name
• your date of birth
• your mobile number
• the reason for your appointment 

We will not accept walk-ins so you must make an appointment.