This is only a quick guide to assist your application to apply for a new Private Hire 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 License application pack
Step 1 - Pre- application requirements – Self-assessment checklist
Before you submit your vehicle application to the Oxford City Council, please make sure you meet the following criteria and provide the requested documents:
- Currently hold a Hackney Carriage &/or Private Hire Drivers Licence with Oxford City Council
- Your vehicle is currently licensed with another Oxfordshire Authority (Vale of White Horse District Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council and Cherwell District Council)
- You have a copy of the current Oxfordshire vehicle licence (paper part)
Note: If your vehicle licensed by other Oxfordshire Authority does not meet the current City Council vehicle age or emission criteria, a one year licence may be granted, subject to complying with all the other criteria for licensing. Upon renewal of the one year licence, the vehicle presented for re-licensing must meet the current age and emission criteria for a new vehicle.
Step 2 - Obtain a Certificate of Compliance (CoC/MOT)
Obtain a new Vehicle Licence Plate Number via email
Email the Licensing Team at licensing@oxford.gov.uk to ask for a New Vehicle licence plate number, in the email include:
- Email picture of the current Oxfordshire vehicle plate / provide the plate number
- Email picture of your current City Council driver badge / provide badge number
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, please call Oxford Direct Services, Cowley Marsh on 01865 335400. They will require the Council vehicle plate number that you will have previously obtained from the Licensing Team
Step 3 - Prepare all necessary documents
Complete all the required forms and have all the documents listed below ready:
- The completed Vehicle Application Form
- The 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)
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.
Step 4 - Submit the application to the Council
Email all the documents listed above to taxiapplications@oxford.gov.uk. You must provide, attach to the email, all of the forms and documents listed above. You can spread the documents over a few emails, as long as they are all sent at the same time (one after the other). You will receive an automated response that we have received your application.
Once you have submitted your application online (email), we will assess your application. If your application is not valid, we will email you back with the advice on what needs to be corrected or what you have missed. If your application is valid, we will move to the next step.
Step 5 - Payment and booking a vehicle plate collection
We will call you to take a payment over the phone via secure line using your Debit/Credit card
Once the payment has been completed, we will book you an appointment to collect your new vehicle plate. We will also email you with your payment receipt and confirmation of your appointment.
Step 6 - Receiving the Paper Licence
Once the licence is issued, we will email your Paper Licence (counterpart) document.
