These steps are a quick guide to assist you in changing your Hackney Carriage or Private Hire vehicle and you must refer to the terms and conditions in the taxi vehicle license application pack for full details and guidance.
Step 1 - Check the vehicle criteria and obtain necessary documents
Before you submit your online change of vehicle application to Oxford City Council, you must check the vehicle standards and completed the required actions listed below:
Vehicle Criteria, Emission Standards and Age limit
Please refer to the Vehicle Application Pack to ensure that the vehicle you intend to licence meets the vehicle criteria, emission standards and age limits set by the Council.
Book a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) test for the vehicle
The Certificate of Compliance for your vehicle must not be completed any earlier than 28 days, before you submit your vehicle application to the Council. To book your CoC, you must call Oxford Direct Services, Cowley Marsh on 01865 335400. They will require the vehicle plate number that you will have previously obtained from the Taxi Applications Team.
Step 2 - Prepare all the necessary documents
We strongly advise that you submit your vehicle application no later than 28 days of when the vehicle CoC was completed - we cannot accept any CoC that is more than 28 days old.
Have all the documents listed ready. Take a clear scan or photograph of each document (as instructed) on your device, ready to upload when completing your online application.
- Certificate of Compliance (CoC)
- Certificate of Motor Insurance (must only name drivers who hold a valid licence issued by Oxford City Council)
Either one of these:
- V5 Log Book (front page and middle pages)
- new keepers slip
- purchase receipt
Exemption Vehicles Only
Exemptions are typically granted to those vehicles that will carry out chauffeur driven account work only. Exemptions are not granted for standard Private Hire work. If you require your vehicle to be exempt from displaying plates please provide the additional documents listed below:
- exemption request received on company headed paper from the company
- exemption request from the driver
Step 3 - Submit the application to the Council
You're ready to submit your online application but you should read steps 4 and 5 before you start.
Apply to change your vehicle 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.
Additional documents
If additional documents are required see Submit additional documents for a current licence application.
Step 4 - Payment and booking a plate appointment
Once you have successfully submitted your online application (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 the payment within 14 days your application will be withdrawn.
Once the payment has been completed, an Officer will advise and book a suitable time for you to return the current plate and collect your new vehicle plate. We will also email you with your payment receipt and confirmation of your appointment.
Step 5 - Receiving the Paper Licence
Once the licence is issued, we will email your paper licence (counterpart) document.
If you're asked to send additional documents after you've submitted your application, follow the button in Step 3 and enter the unique reference number provided to you.
