Apply for a new taxi vehicle licence

Please note this page is only a quick guide to assist your application for a new Hackney Carriage or Private Hire taxi vehicle licence. 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 Taxi Driver vehicle license application pack

Step 1 - Check the vehicle criteria and obtain necessary documents

Before you submit your online vehicle application to the Oxford City Council, you must check the vehicle standards and complete the required actions.

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 and complete 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.

*If you are applying for an exemption certificate for your new Private Hire Vehicle you must email licensing@oxford.gov.uk to obtain approval that the vehicle will be accepted as an exempt vehicle, proof of this approval email will need to be produced at the test station before the vehicle can be tested.*

Step 2 - Prepare all the necessary documents

Have all the documents listed below ready and 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)
• V5 Log Book (front page and middle pages) / or New Keepers Slip or 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 these additional documents:

• Exemption request received on company headed paper from the company
• Exemption request from the driver

Temporary Vehicles Only

If your application is for a temporary vehicle application please complete the following:

• Inform the accident driver that they need to provide full accident details and photos to licensing@oxford.gov.uk
• Provide (upload) a letter authorising the driver to use the temporary vehicle (company headed paper), with the application

Step 3 - Submit the application to the Council

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.

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

Apply for your new 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 vehicle 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 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.