A Private Hire Operator Licence is issued to an individual or company that offers a service of pre-booking fares. The licence is issued for a maximum period of 5 years.

 You must refer to the full terms and conditions in the application pack for full details and guidance on all the licensing criteria and conditions that must be met under ‘Fit and Proper’ person with this Authority.

Download the Private Hire Operator Licence application pack

Step 1 - Check your Safeguarding and Disability Awareness certificate is still valid

The Safeguarding and Disability Awareness course must be completed every three years. Please check if you need to renew your course for the renewal application.

The Safeguarding and Disability Awareness course is provided by Oxfordshire County Council. For the fee and how to book see Safeguarding and disability awareness training courses at Oxfordshire County Council

Step 2 - Prepare all the necessary documents

Preparing the necessary documents includes completing some forms and generate online codes. 

Documents you'll need to prepare and gather are:

  • HMRC check code for the company
  • Right to work share code for each business partner (if applicable)
  • Local Knowledge and Safeguarding Test pass letter
  • Safeguarding and Disability Awareness certificate
  • Basic Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) certificate for each business partner (copy of front and back) - this must be dated no earlier than 28 calendar days before the date you submit the application to the Council.
  • Evidence of Right to Work in the UK for each business partner (usually a UK/Irish Passport if not completing a Right to Work share code form)

You'll find all forms and how to generate the share codes in our application pack.

Step 3 - Submit the renewal application to the Council

When you’re ready to submit your online application but you should read steps 4 and 5 before you start.

Apply for your licence

Once you have successfully submitted your online application, you will receive an automated email response that we have received your application. We will then assess your application. If your application is not complete, we will email you back with the advice on what needs to be corrected or what details or documents you have missed.

If your application is valid, we will move to the next step.

If additional documents are required see our Submit additional documents for a current licence application page.

Step 4 - Payment and booking a Right to Work appointment

Once you have successfully submitted your application online (valid or invalid) you will need to make a payment within 14 days.

You will receive an email with a reference number of your application. You will need to call the Taxi Licensing Team to make a payment, over the phone via secure line using your Debit/Credit card. After taking the payment, we will email you the receipt.

If you do not make payment within 14 days your application will be withdrawn.

Step 5 - Receiving the Paper Licence

Once you have submitted the final documents, the final checks will take few days. Please be patient and wait until we contact you. Once the licence is issued, we will email your Paper Licence (counterpart) document.

Contact the Taxi Licensing Team

Address: Town Hall
St Aldate's
Oxford
OX1 1BX

Telephone: 01865 252115

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