Vehicle Licensing

We are responsible for licensing hire vehicles (holding a maximum of 8 passengers) operating in Fenland.

There are three different types of vehicle licenses. You should apply for the licence that best fits the needs of your business.

Vehicle New

• Apply to licence a Hackney Carriage vehicle
• Apply to licence a Private Hire vehicle
• Apply to licence a Special Event vehicle

All Taxi Vehicles must be on Taxi Vehicle Approved List

If you are looking to licence your vehicle please ensure it is on Taxi Vehicle Approved List (Word doc) [22KB]  If your vehicle is not on this list we will need to measure and approve, this will then be added to the list.

We advise that an inspection is booked with us prior to the purchase of a new vehicle. To book an inspection please contact us on licensing@fenland.gov.uk

Vehicle renewals

If you are looking to renew your current licensed vehicle please ensure you have the following documents saved and ready to upload during the online process:

• Insurance Document
• V5 document (Only required if details have changed since previous renewal)
• Vehicle Compliance Test - Passed status

Fees

How to Apply

When you are ready to apply, please click on the relevant link below to submit your renewal application and pay the fee.

Once you have clicked on the link it will ask you for a reference number which is stated on your renewal application.

Renew a Hackney Carriage vehicle licence

Renew a Private Hire vehicle licence

Licence issued

Following validation of your application and satisfactory results of any checks, we will produce your new vehicle plate and send this along with the issue letter to your home address. A copy of your paper licence will be emailed to you. All expired plates must be returned to us as soon as possible.

Vehicle licence changes

Once you have your vehicle licence, you may want to apply for changes. If so, please complete the relevant form below and email to Licensing@fenland.gov.uk
If you need to make a payment, you can do this on our payment portal

• Install CCTV in your vehicle (Word doc) [126KB]
• Install advertising or signage on the outside of your vehicle (Word doc) [126KB]
• Request a replacement plate (Word doc) [76KB]
• Report an accident (Word doc) [104KB]
• Transfer a vehicle licence (Word doc) [127KB]
• Apply for plate exemption (Word doc) [66KB]

Data sharing

We are required by law to share data with Defra to support the operation of charging in clean air zones or other air quality plans put in place by the Local Authority. Defra may, under contracts or similar agreements, use third party organisations to process this personal data. These organisations, if used, will not be able to use this data for any other purpose and will be required to meet the requirements of data protection legislation and government security standards.

Vehicle Standards

These are the agreed higher standards above the MOT standard for compliance checks. They are designed to help Drivers understand that the higher standards that the compliance test covers is above the MOT standard for Public Safety.

• All lights to be working
• No vehicle and bodywork damage - specifically split and broken paint and any sharp edges
• Vehicle to be clean both inside and outside
• Boot area - to be clean
• No Smoking stickers to be displayed
• Tyres a minimum of 2mm with advisory at that limit to be given by the garage
• All fixtures and fittings within the car to be kept in working order
• Meter and Mobile phone holders to be secure and not obstructing the drivers view from the front windscreen
• First aid kits to be checked for out of date items
• Private Hire Oval signs to be displayed correctly on the front Doors only, Internal plate to be displayed on front windscreen or dashboard but not obstructing air bags, rear plate to be firmly affixed to the outside rear of the vehicle
• Taxi Tariff sheet to be available
• Oil leaks no bigger than 50p as discussed
• No excessive play in steering, suspension, joints, exhaust, chassis and brakes
• Lipped Brake discs to be failed - Safety
• A minimum of 3mm  on the brake pads with advisory at that limit to be given by the garage
• Any evidence of smoking within the vehicle to be reported at the time to Licensing.

Tax Checks

From 4 April 2022, there will be a small addition to the checks licensing bodies already have in place. You'll need to complete a tax check with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) when you renew your licence in relation to:

• Licensed Driver for both Hackney Carriage & Private Hire
• Private Hire Operator
• Licensed Vehicles for both Hackney Carriage & Private Hire
• Deal in scrap metal

Changes will only apply in England and Wales. View more information about Tax Check changes.