Private Hire Vehicle Licences

Key information before applying:

• Please ensure your have read and understood the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy [PDF, 2.5MB]

• A new private hire vehicle, including hybrid or fully electric vehicles, must as a minimum meet Euro 6 emission standards

• Category S vehicles will not be licensed.

• Category N vehicles will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• The vehicle must be an M1 type approved vehicle or have an IVA certificate showing conformity to M1 type standards if the vehicle has been converted.

• The taxi meter must be calibrated to the current HDC Fare Chart

• The vehicle must be taxed and insured for the purpose of hire and reward.

• All vehicles must undergo a compliance test at Adam’s Autos. Please follow the link to book your test.

• All vehicles 8 years or older from the date of first registration will be required to undergo a compliance test every 6 months.

How to apply for a new vehicle licence:

Step 1 - Obtain a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for your vehicle

• You need to book your vehicle in for a compliance test at our approved garage Adam’s Autos, this can be done by visiting their website

• At the time of making the booking, you will pay the compliance test fee and provide your vehicle details.

• If the vehicle passes you will be issued a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) which you will need to submit with your online application.

• The testing garage will also send a copy of this to the council.

• At the time of your CoC you can choose to have an MOT, but this is not a mandatory requirement to licence your vehicle as a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire.

Step 2 - Complete the online application form

Documents required when submitting application form:

• A copy of the insurance certificate

• The original V5(c) logbook or new keeper’s slip

• IVA Certificate if applicable

• Passed Certificate of Compliance (CoC).

The new application form is now online. The link below will take you to the HDC Licensing Portal where you must register your details.

Go to application form

Read the guidance notes [PDF, 0.1MB] when applying. Please ensure you select the correct licence type you wish to apply for - PRIVATE HIRE OR HACKNEY CARRIAGE.

The Licensing Department will then process your documentation and be in contact within 5 days to advise collection of your vehicle plate.

However, if there is an issue, the Licensing Team will contact you via email, so please make sure you provide the correct contact information.

Important information

If your licence has expired, your application will be considered as a new application and must meet current Policy requirements.

From 1 January 2026, all private hire vehicles that are fitted with a mechanical tail-lift, upon renewal, must as a minimum meet Euro 5 emission standards.

Please note that if your vehicle does not meet the Euro 5 standards, your renewal application will be refused. To allow for a graduated approach to the change in vehicle standards, if you currently licence a non-Euro 5 compliant vehicle, you will be permitted to apply for a new vehicle licence with a Euro 5 compliant vehicle to replace your existing vehicle. The replacement vehicle must also be fitted with a mechanical tail-lift.

All vehicles 8 years or older from the date of first registration will be required to undergo a compliance test every 6 months.

How to apply for a renewal vehicle licence

Step 1 - Obtain a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for your vehicle

• You need to book your vehicle in for a compliance test at our approved garage Adam’s Autos, this can be done by visiting their website

• At the time of making the booking, you will pay the compliance test fee and provide your vehicle details.

• If the vehicle passes you will be issued a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) which you will need to submit with your online application.

• The testing garage will also send a copy of this to the council.

• At the time of your CoC, you can choose to have an MOT but this is not a mandatory requirement to licence your vehicle as a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire.

Step 2 - Complete the online application form

Documents required when submitting application form:

• A copy of the insurance certificate

• The original V5(c) logbook or new keeper’s slip

• IVA Certificate if applicable

• Passed Certificate of Compliance (CoC).

The renewal application form is now online. The link below will take you to the HDC Licensing Portal where you must register your details.

Go to application form

Read the guidance notes [PDF, 0.1MB] when applying. Please ensure you select the correct licence type you wish to apply for - PRIVATE HIRE OR HACKNEY CARRIAGE.

The Licensing Department will then process your documentation and be in contact within 5 days to advise collection of your vehicle plate.

Upon collection of your new plate, you must return your old plate.

However, if there is an issue, the Licensing Team will contact you via email, so please make sure you provide the correct contact information.

The Euro Emissions Table [XLSX, 20KB] can be used, alongside the vehicle's V5C logbook, to determine if your vehicle will meet HDC's policy for new and renewal vehicles.

Please follow the guidance provided within the table for full instructions.

If you wish to transfer your interest in a vehicle licence, for example, you have sold the vehicle to another person or company, you must complete the Vehicle Licence Transfer Notice [PDF, 0.2MB] and return this via email to Licensing@huntingdonshire.gov.uk

The new licence holder will be contacted and will be required to provide the following:

• Insurance certificate

• Updated V5(c) Logbook or New Keeper’s Slip

• Transfer fee of £25 (this must be paid before the new licence will be issued).

If you require a plate exemption for your private hire vehicle, please read the key information from the policy to see if you are eligible:

• The type of work to be undertaken must be “executive” in nature. This means that the vehicle is used specifically and exclusively to provide transport under a written agreement to companies or individuals, or by the type of clients who for security or personal safety reasons would not want the vehicle to be identifiable. Proof of agreement will be required as part of any request for plate exemption.

If the above is relevant, you will need to fully complete the Plate Exemption Application Form [PDF, 0.2MB] and email it to Licensing@huntingdonshire.gov.uk

Once provided, we will consider your application and will be in contact once a decision has been made.

Owners of licensed vehicles must inform the licensing authority of any accidents (including road traffic) or damage to a licensed vehicle within 72 hours.

This includes any incident causing damage which materially affects the safety, performance or appearance of the vehicle, or the comfort or convenience of passengers carried.

Please complete the Vehicle Accident/Damage Report Form [PDF, 0.2MB] and email it to Licensing@huntingdonshire.gov.uk

Where possible, you must submit photos of the damage alongside this report form. Please make sure the photos are clear, including at least one close-up photo of the damage.

To apply for an insurance replacement vehicle, the replacement vehicle must adhere to the ‘New Vehicle’ requirements above.  You will need to book a vehicle compliance test at Adam’s Autos.

The existing vehicle licence plate must be returned to the council before the replacement vehicle licence plate will be issued.

Visit the HDC Licensing Portal, where you must register your details and submit your online application.

Documents required when submitting the online application form:

• a copy of the insurance certificate

• the original V5(c) logbook or new keeper’s slip

• IVA Certificate if applicable

• Certificate of Compliance (CoC).

A replacement vehicle licence will only be valid for a period of 3 months. Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis on request.

Once all repairs and relevant inspections have been completed, the replacement vehicle plate must be returned to the council before the existing licence will be reinstated. 

If you have changed address, you must inform us within 7 days by completing a Change of Address notification via our online portal.

At the time of submission, you will be required to upload proof of the change and pay the fee of £15.

Once received, the Licensing team will validate and provide you with an updated paper licence via email.