From the section: Vehicle proprietors licence
What you may need to do when holding a private hire or hackney carriage proprietor’s licence.
If you wish to sell the vehicle while the licence is still in force and transfer it someone else, you must notify us first within the timescales laid out in the licence conditions.
You will need to complete a form with a declaration with your details and the purchaser’s details. The purchaser will need to provide:
There is a fee to pay for the transfer of the licence.
You must tell us if you wish to sell the vehicle privately and cancel your licence. This must be done within the timescales laid out in the licence conditions.
You will need to return both the plates and the paper licence. Please email us at licensing@solihull.gov.uk for an appointment.
You may receive a refund on any remaining months left on the licence, following the deduction of administrative costs.
If you no longer wish the vehicle to be licensed, you must return both the plates and the paper licence.
Please email us at licensing@solihull.gov.uk for an appointment.
You may receive a refund on any remaining months left on the licence, following the deduction of administrative costs.
You must tell us if you change the registration number on your vehicle. The timescales are laid out in the licence conditions.
You will need to complete a form and provide:
There is a fee to pay for the transfer of the licence.
If the vehicle is involved in an accident, you must email us at licensing@solihull.gov.uk within the timescales laid out in the licence conditions. We will then contact you to determine next steps.
If the vehicle is driveable, we will make an appointment for an inspection. During the inspection we will check the visual safety and appearance of the vehicle.
If the vehicle is not driveable, you will need to provide photographs of the damage and a report from an engineer or recovery company, if required.
In all cases we will decide whether the vehicle remains suitable to be used as a private hire or hackney carriage vehicle.
If we suspend the licence:
If we declare the vehicle suitable to be used as a private hire/hackney carriage vehicle, we will not suspend the licence. You may still be issued with a minor damage notice, requiring any repairs to be completed in a reasonable amount of time.
In both cases, you will be required to present the vehicle for a reinspection so that we can be satisfied that the repairs have been carried out to a good standard.
If we are happy with the repairs:
If the repairs are not completed within two calendar months, your licence will be automatically revoked.
If the vehicle cannot be repaired and is declared written-off, you must inform us as soon as possible.
We may require a further HPI check to be carried out.
Your vehicle may be subject to a spot check, either:
You must present your vehicle for inspection, or you may be investigated for obstruction offences.
Only ‘executive’ type vehicles will be considered for an exemption from displaying the exterior private hire vehicle plate.
To request an exemption, you need to:
We will ask you to provide information to evidence why we should allow the exemption.
This includes, but is not limited to:
We will also need to inspect the vehicle to ensure it is in exceptional condition and meets the exemption request.
If granted, we will give you an exemption certificate that is granted to the licence holder for up to one year. This should be always kept in the vehicle and produced on request.
You will need to reapply each year.
If you wish to licence a new vehicle, the date of registration (as listed in the V5C) must be at least six months newer than the previous one you licensed.
This will ensure the fleet continues to get ‘younger’ and standards are maintained.