Taxi Licensing

We undertake licensing of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, drivers and operators within the Borough. You will find information below on:

• Drivers
• Vehicles
• Private Hire Operators

Handbook 

Gosport Handbook September 2024 (PDF) [335KB]

Registers

• Taxi Disabled Access Vehicles

Drivers

There are three types of drivers - a private hire driver is a licensed driver who can drive private hire vehicles only, a hackney carriage driver is a licensed driver who can drive hackney carriage vehicles only and a dual driver is a licensed driver who can drive both types of vehicles.

New driver applications

There are a number of elements to the application process:

• Pre Application Questionnaire
• Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS)
• Application
• Medical
• Driving licence check
• Reference
• Practical Driving Test - (DSA/Blue Lamp /DriveTech /Taxi Driver Tests / Green Penny)
• Knowledge test
• Oral Fluid Drugs Test -  Guidance for Oral Fluid Drugs Testing (PDF) [101KB]
• Collecting your licence

All new applicants must contact our Support Team in advance to obtain a driver pack.  This pack must be taken away and completed.  Once completed an appointment must be made in order to return the paperwork.  Please contact us on either 01329 824399 or ehs@fareham.gov.uk. Our handbook contains all the details you require on the stages above.

Driver licence renewals

We will contact you about your renewal arrangements before your licence expires. Renewals involve an application form, driving licence check and fee. 

Enhanced DBS (formerly CRB) checks on taxi and private hire drivers are carried out every 6 months. Applicants must complete an initial DBS application form and use the certificate received to sign up to the DBS Update Service. Medicals are carried our every 5 years from the age of 45 - 65 and annually after that.

Vehicles

There are two types of licensed vehicle. A private hire vehicle is a vehicle that can carry passengers for hire or reward, but only by being pre-booked. It is not allowed to stand or ply for hire on the taxi ranks or in the streets of the Borough. If you are proposing to run a business for the invitation or acceptance of bookings for private hire vehicle(s) in the Borough, you must hold a private hire operator's licence that we have issued to you. A hackney carriage is a vehicle that can stand on the taxi ranks or ply for hire in the streets of the Borough.

Vehicle licence applications

The application process involves production of the following:

• Application form
• Engineers report
• Registration document for the vehicle.
• Current MOT (for a hackney carriage this must be when the vehicle is one year old, for a private hire vehicle this is from when the vehicle is three years old)
• Insurance policy (or cover note with the requisite cover for carriage of the public)
• Fee
• Vehicle

Before buying a vehicle, you are advised to contact our licensing team to obtain an application pack and ensure a vehicle meets the specifications we set down. 

Tax Conditionality

HMRC is introducing a simple tax check from 4 April 2022 that will take place when people renew their licences to drive taxis, drive and operate private hire vehicles. It will be supported by a new digital service that HMRC is developing.

This service has been created so that everyone pays the tax they should, creating a level playing field for the majority of people that comply. HMRC is working with industry bodies to make this as straightforward as possible. The check should take a few minutes every few years and confirm that someone is correctly registered for tax.

You will need to complete a tax check when you apply or renew your licence as a:

• driver of a taxi (hackney carriage)
• driver of a private hire vehicle (and dual licences)
• private hire vehicle operator

About the Check

You will be able to complete this tax check on GOV.UK, through your Government Gateway account. You will only need to answer a few questions to tell HMRC how you pay any tax that may be due on income you earn from your licensed trade. If you do not already have a Government Gateway account, you can sign up on GOV.UK.

The tax check should only take a few minutes. There'll be guidance on GOV.UK and anyone who needs extra support will be able to complete the tax check by phone through HMRC's customer helpline.

When you've completed the tax check, you'll get a code. You must give this code to your licensing body. The licensing body cannot proceed with your licence application or renewal until the tax check is completed and they've received the code.

Your licensing body will only receive confirmation from HMRC that you've completed the tax check, they will not have access to information about your tax affairs.

If you've not registered to pay tax on earnings from your licensed trade, please go to GOV.UK to check if you need to register as soon as possible.

Granting/renewing vehicle licences

Once you have got to this stage and your vehicle has been inspected (with a meter certificate/meter run in the case of a hackney carriage) we will be in a position to issue your licence. Vehicle licences are renewed annually from the date of issue.

Private Hire Operators

If you are proposing to run a business for the invitation or acceptance of bookings for private hire vehicle(s) in the Borough, you must hold a private hire operator's licence issued to you by us. This may be in addition to a private hire drivers licence if you are also a driver.

If you wish to apply to be a private hire operator, please contact our licensing team for an application pack. Our handbook contains all the details you require.