There is no fixed limit to the number of taxi licences issued by the council. An authorised officer, under powers delegated by the council, considers each application for a new licence individually. These powers enable the authorised officer to grant taxi / private hire vehicle licences where the vehicle fulfils the relevant criteria or in certain circumstances the application may be referred to the Licensing Panel for determination.
Vehicle proprietors will be expected to demonstrate either to the appropriate officer, or to the Licensing Board / Panel (as applicable), that they are a "fit and proper person" and are able to provide a satisfactory service to the travelling public.
Below is a brief overview of the taxi licensing regime, however it is strongly recommended that you familiarise yourself with the more detailed requirements of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy before making any application.
Vehicles can be licensed either as a hackney carriage or a private hire vehicle.
Hackney carriages are allowed to 'ply for hire' either by way of being hailed by a member of the public or 'standing on rank' at one of the designated taxi ranks within the borough area. Hackney carriages can also be pre-booked on a private hire basis.
Hackney carriages are required to be fitted with a taximeter installed by an approved taximeter installer. The taximeter fitted in a taxi will be sealed and calendar controlled to the current tariff as set by the council.
Tariffs are set by the council and relate to the mileage, waiting time and the time journeys commence. Tariffs are not dependent on the number of passengers being carried or any other circumstances (e.g. no additional charge may be imposed for carrying disabled persons, wheelchairs, luggage, or guide dogs).
Taxis, when used for private hire, must charge from the point of pick-up to the point of drop off and use the meter. Whatever type of journey, the taximeter must be in operation during the hiring, even if the fare is being negotiated.
Private hire vehicles (PHVs) can only be used for pre-booked journeys and are prohibited from 'plying for hire'.
The council at this time does not require PHV’s to be fitted with a taximeter but, if such a meter is fitted, it must be correctly calibrated, tested and approved (Section 71 LGMPA 1976).
The council must be informed in writing of the various tariffs, which are proposed to be used prior to testing and a notice of tariffs must be displayed in all vehicles fitted with a taximeter.
The Equality Act 2010 contains provisions which apply to all taxis and PHV’s, with section 168 imposing a duty on taxis and section 170 imposing a duty on PHV’s.
Section 165 of the Equality Act 2010 places the following duties on drivers of designated wheelchair accessible vehicles.
The Equality Act 2010, at sections 169(4)(b), 173(1) and 207(4)(a) places a duty on taxi and PHV drivers to carry guide, hearing and other assistance dogs accompanying disabled people in their licensed vehicles and to do so without charge.
Drivers, if convicted, can face a fine of up to £1,000 if they do not comply with either of the above provisions under the Equality Act 2010.
Drivers who, for medical reasons, are unable to accept wheelchair passengers or accessibility animals can apply to the council for an exemption certificate. Section 166 states the conditions on which the council must issue an exemption certificate. Such a certificate will only be issued on production of medical evidence as proof that they cannot comply with the Equality Act 2010. Exemption certificates, which show the photograph of the driver, must be displayed in the vehicle whenever the driver is working.
View a list of wheelchair accessible vehicles.
If you change your vehicle, an application can be made to transfer the plate from the old vehicle to the new vehicle. Applications should be made to the licensing section to licence the new vehicle. You may be entitled to a partial refund of the licence fee in respect of the old vehicle.
If you wish to transfer your interest in a vehicle, you will need to notify the licensing section. The application to transfer must be accompanied by a valid certificate of insurance and the vehicle registration document. If the vehicle registration document is not available, proof of purchase of the vehicle must be produced, together with a letter from both parties confirming this.
The vehicle registration document must be produced to the licensing section within 28 days or the vehicle licence may be suspended. If everything is in order, the transfer can be made. If the vehicle is disposed of then the vehicle licence and plates must be returned to the council within 7 days of disposal.
Vehicles, irrespective of their age, are tested twice a year. No fees are required for mid-term tests (unless the vehicle fails its test, and a re-test is required).
Only vehicles under the age of five years may be licensed for the first time. Exceptions will be made for wheelchair accessible vehicles where the vehicle is under seven years of age and has travelled less than 80,000 miles.
A vehicle will be licensed for twelve months on its renewal date prior to the vehicle reaching ten years old (12 years for wheelchair accessible vehicles). To enable a vehicle to remain licensed beyond ten years of age it must undertake and pass the council’s 'exceptional condition test'. All costs for the exceptional condition test will be borne by the applicant.
The council will not issue or renew a licence in respect of a vehicle unless the Vehicle Registration Document has been produced to the licensing section.
The council recognises that the taxi and PHV trade provide a valuable public service, especially late at night when other forms of transport are no longer available. Security for drivers and passengers is of paramount importance and CCTV cameras can be a valuable deterrent and investigative tool in the event of an incident taking place inside a vehicle.
The council does not consider that CCTV cameras should be mandatory within licensed vehicles and that the decision to install them is one for the vehicle owner to arrive at. Installation of CCTV cameras in vehicles is therefore on a voluntary basis at present, however, all requirements that must be met should you wish to install CCTV within a licensed vehicle are outlined at appendices G and G1 of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.
The council has approved the below hackney carriage stands within the borough. Please note that these stands can only be used by Amber Valley Borough Council licensed hackney carriage vehicles. Private hire vehicles are prohibited from using these stands to pick up or drop off fares at any time.
The following documentation must be submitted:
Arrangements will be made for your vehicle to undertake a roadworthy test at the council’s approved testing station. After the satisfactory completion of the test a vehicle licence and plate will be issued. The licence will cover a fixed date twelve-month period.
Please note that if you cancel a test without giving a minimum of 24 hours’ notice (excluding weekends and bank holidays) a cancellation fee will be charged.
Applications for a vehicle licence must be submitted by post or email to:
Licensing Section
Amber Valley Borough Council
Town Hall
Ripley
Derbyshire
DE5 3BT
Telephone: 01773 570222
Email: licensing@ambervalley.gov.uk
Contact the team directly on 01773 570222 or email licensing@ambervalley.gov.uk
