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Hackney Carriage Vehicles (Taxis)

A licensed taxi may be hired at one of the Boroughs taxi ranks, or it can be hailed in the street or be pre booked. Hackney Carriage vehicles display the councils door sticker on the front doors and a licence plate to the rear of the vehicle. The plate is white and displays full details of the vehicle that is licensed. All hackney carriage vehicles must display a taxi roof sign and carry a taximeter. Wheelchair Accessible vehicles display an orange plate.

Private Hire Vehicles

Private Hire vehicles must be pre booked and are generally used by operators for contract hire, executive hire and airport work etc. These vehicles display the Councils door sticker on the front doors and a licence plate to the rear of the vehicle. The plate is yellow and displays full details of the vehicle that is licensed.

Initial Application (Drivers)

Before a person can drive a licensed vehicle, whether it be a Hackney Carriage or a Private Hire vehicle they must fulfil the following criteria:

• Be over 21 years of age
• Have held a full driving licence for not less than three years
• Pass a medical examination of fitness to drive (Group 2 standard)
• Be vetted by the Police and Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)
• Sign a mandate in order that a check can be made through the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
• Be a holder of a Drivers Standards Agency (DSA) pass certificate for a driving assessment for taxis and private hire vehicles

Driving Assessment for taxi and private hire vehicles.pdf [pdf] 62KB

All applicants will be required to submit:-

• An application form to include details of two referees to whom the Council will write
• A DIsclosure & Barring Service (DBS) form together with two forms of identification
• A medical form (to be completed by your own G.P) and sent direct to the Licensing Manager, Castle Point Borough Council.
• Signed mandate for a check through the DVLA
• The appropriate fee (details can be obtained from the Licensing Unit on 01268 882416)
• attend a Disability Awareness and Customer Care course and produce the original certificate as proof of attendance.
• A Drivers Standards Agency (DSA) pass certificate for a driving assessment for taxis and private hire vehicles

All applicants will be required to sit a knowledge test, based on the Castle Point area.

Applying for a Licence - How to do this

To apply for a licence to become a driver and drive a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle or for any other queries, please contact the Licensing Unit on 01268 882416 or forms can be downloaded from the home page - forms on line

By appointment:- The Licensing Unit, Castle Point Borough Council, Kiln Road Benfleet, Essex SS7 1TF