Private hire operator licence

This page contains information on making an application for a private hire operator licence to take private hire bookings within the borough. It contains information relevant to existing operators who wish to make a renewal application and to people who are interested in becoming a private hire operator.

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 requires any person who wishes to invite or accept bookings for private hire journeys from an address within Oadby and Wigston to hold a licence, issued by Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, under Section 55 of that act. Those persons are required to keep records of every journey and are responsible for ensuring that the journeys booked are completed.

An Oadby and Wigston Private Hire Operators licence only allows the use of vehicles and drivers that are also licensed by Oadby and Wigston Borough Council. There are conditions attached to all licences and regular inspections of your records will be undertaken. Each booking must include the date and time of booking and the date, times and places of the start and finish of the journey, the identity of the driver, licence number of the vehicle making the journey and the number of passengers carried.

This licence is not transferable to another person nor does it authorise the licensee to operate from any address other than that specified on the licence.

The Council can only issue a private hire operators licence if the premises that you wish to operate from are:-

• within the area of Oadby and Wigston,
• that either the premises have planning permission or are covered by a letter from the Planning Section stating that that the use does not need planning permission,
• the application form correctly confirms that the applicant is a fit and proper person or company to hold such a licence and
• if the premises is a residential property, only one vehicle may be operated from that address.

Fees

Once your application has been accepted and the application fee has been paid, a licence will be issued.

From 1 April 2012, the annual fee for this licence is £230 and a three yearly licence is £568.

Application forms

If you wish to apply for a Private Hire Operators Licence you will need to complete the application form which can be downloaded by clicking the link below:

• Private Hire Operator Application Form (Word Document, 81 Kb)

You can also obtain an application form us by telephone or email, our details are on the left.

When you contact us please provide us with the following information:

• the type of application you wish to make
• the name and address of the person to whom the forms are to be sent
• contact telephone and email details

Once you are ready to proceed with your application.

You may may send the form and and other documents back to the addressed in the contact panel on the left or visit the council offices in person and submit your application to a member of our Customer Services team.

No appointment is necessary to visit our Customer Service team, who are able to make a preliminary check of your application and documents and instruct on fees payments and or provide help with completing the application forms before the they are presented to the licensing team for processing.