Private Hire Vehicles Information
Private hire vehicles (minicabs)
Private hire vehicles (or minicabs) are taxis which cannot ply for hire or stand in a rank. They must be pre-booked with a private hire operator (through the operator usually by telephone).
The vehicles have door signs which state "Advanced bookings only". They have a yellow plate affixed to the rear and a smaller version affixed to the windscreen which carry details of the expiry date, licence number and vehicle registration. These vehicles are not insured to ply for hire.
Private hire vehicles have a maximum of eight passenger seats.
Private hire vehicle (minicab) licensing
There are three types of private hire licence:
Licence for a private hire vehicle/minicab
- Private Hire Vehicle Licence application form
- Application guidance notes for Private Hire Vehicle Licence
- Private Hire Vehicle Licence Conditions
Licence for a private hire vehicle/minicab driver
- Private Hire Driver's Licence Application form
- Application guidance notes for Private Hire Driver's Licence
- Private Hire Driver's Medical Form
- Private Hire Driver's Licence Conditions
Licence for a private hire vehicle/minicab operator
Information on private hire vehicles, drivers and operators that are licensed to operate in the Ribble Valley can be found on the licensing Public Register.
Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy
This policy was first approved by the Licensing Committee in April 2017 and outlines the requirements of the relevant legislation and gives guidance to new applicants, existing Private Hire Operators, drivers and vehicles and members of the public as to how the Council will administer and enforce the requirements of the licensing regimes. Our Policy has now been reviewed and updated and the Council consulted with all relevant licence holders upon the proposed amendments between 30 October 2018 and 11 January 2019. The revised Policy for the Licensing of Hackney Carriage Drivers and Vehicles, Private Hire Operators, Drivers and Vehicles was approved by the Licensing Committee on 29 January 2019.
Immigration Act 2016
The new provisions of this act, which came into force on 1 December 2016 mean that driver and operator licences must not be issued to people who are illegally present in the UK, who are not permitted to work, or who are permitted to work but are subject to a condition that prohibits them from holding such a licence.
The Council must therefore require all applicants to submit one of a number of prescribed documents which show that the applicant has permission to be in the UK and undertake work as an operator or private hire or hackney carriage driver. The Council has produced a fact sheet explaining the requirements, see Taxi Immigration Act 2016 Attached to the fact sheet is a list of acceptable documents. If you have any queries regarding this please contact the Administration Assistant (licensing) on 01200 414554.
Convictions Policy
Should the applicant have any prior convictions and/or cautions they will be considered in light of the Council’s Convictions policy for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s. For more information see the Drivers Convictions Policy.
Infringement Scheme
The Council has an Infringement Points Scheme in place. This scheme will apply to all private hire (and hackney carriage) drivers and vehicles, and operators that are licensed by the Ribble Valley Borough Council.