Apply for a new private hire vehicle licence

This licence entitles the vehicle to be used for Private Hire purposes through a Torbay Council licensed operator.

The vehicle must meet our specification. Read the Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Policy for more information.

Applications

To apply to licence a new vehicle:

• Login to your licence account
• Select New Private Hire vehicle application

Important

Once you submit your application you must upload the following images:

• V5 Registration document, or, the bill of sale.
• Vehicle insurance certificate - not the schedule.
• Proof of £5 million Public Liability insurance.

Fees

Find information on the current fee to licence a new vehicle.

If you make a new vehicle application, once the licence has been issued, we will issue a refund for any missed months (enforcement costs) on the new licence.

Non-Licensed Drivers

If you are not a licensed driver with Torbay Council, you must provide a Basic DBS certificate from the UK Government. This is part of the fit and proper test to hold a private hire vehicle proprietors’ licence. For Companies/Partnerships, all Directors/Partners must provide this.

Certificates must be no older than 2 months old for new applicants. Send the original DBS certificate to the Licensing Department, you can do this by post or in person.

Once the vehicle is licensed, it can only ever be driven by a Torbay Council Licensed Driver.

If you hold a Licensed Drivers badge with us, you do not need an additional Basic DBS.