Eligibility
All vehicles must
- 10 years old or less from date of first registration
- have 4 doors
- seat up to 8 passengers
- meet size and vehicle requirements, see our conditions, rules and policies relating to Private Hire (DOC, 250 KB) and Hackney Carriage (DOC, 275 KB) licensing
- carry first aid kit and fire extinguisher
- display ‘No Smoking’ stickers
- meet Euro 6 emission standards, this information is on the V5 registration document
- display their associated licence plates, the plates show the licence number, the vehicle details and the expiry date of the licence
- charge according to the fare showing on the taximeter. The tariff is regulated by us Current tariff (PDF, 177 KB)
- be licensed for 12 months at a time
- have an annual inspection at our approved testing station. Current list of approved testing stations.
Conditions
Only vehicles meeting the city councils conditions will be licensed for hackney carriage or private hire use. These conditions include age, size, standards of comfort and ease of accessibility.
The range of vehicles includes saloons, estates, multi purpose vehicles as well as purpose built and wheelchair accessible. All new additional hackney carriage vehicles must be wheelchair accessible.
Existing licensed hackney carriage vehicles can be transferred to a new proprietor and that licence can continue to be issued to saloon, estate type vehicles.
Hackney carriage vehicles
- must be white
- must display Gloucester City taxi roof sign
- must display blue licence plates in the window and on the rear of the car
- must have a meter that must be checked at an approved testing station and display current tariff
- card in vehicle
- can use the Gloucester taxi ranks and be hailed in the street
- can also be pre-booked
Private hire vehicles
- can be any colour except white
- must display yellow bus lane sticker
- must display stickers indicating that passengers will not be insured if the journey is not pre-booked through the operator
- must display yellow licence plates in the window and on the front and rear of the vehicle
- can only take fares that are pre-booked through a licensed Gloucester private hire operator (summoned to collect passengers)
- must not use taxi ranks or use a roof sign
The important difference between the two types of licensed vehicles is that hackney carriages (taxi’s) may be flagged down, may use taxi ranks and may be pre-booked. Private hire vehicles, however, must be pre-booked or the journey will not be insured.
Inspections and insurance
We may check your vehicle to make sure:
- it’s roadworthy
- it’s comfortable and clean
- the doors are safe and secure
You’ll also need insurance that:
- covers you for hire and reward
- includes you as the named driver.
How to apply
Please read the conditions, rules and guidance before you apply, as different conditions apply to hackney carriage and private hire vehicles.
Hackney carriage rule book (DOC, 275 KB)
Private hire rule book (DOC, 250 KB)
Vehicle Privacy Statement (PDF, 86 KB)
Apply now
It costs £51 to apply. You can pay by debit or credit card.
You’ll usually get a decision within 14 days, but it can take longer.
You'll need to provide
- proof of ownership, you must provide a letter from the previous owner stating they are no longer using the vehicle
- V5 registration document or new keepers supplement if the vehicle has recently been purchased
- MOT certificate (not required if the vehicle is less than one year old)
- insurance certificate
- A basic DBS certificate, less than a month old, unless you are a driver licensed by Gloucester City Council
If you have a fleet insurance policy you'll also need to include:
- insurance certificate and a schedule of vehicles
