Private hire vehicle licence
Private hire vehicles (PHVs) in Scarborough can be saloons,
estates or larger vehicles however they must have no more than 8
passenger seats. PHVs are not allowed to be
flagged down in the street or pick up from a
rank - they can only carry passengers who have pre-booked the
journey via a licensed private hire operator. A journey is usually
pre-booked by telephone or by visiting an operator's office in
person. If a private hire vehicle has not been pre-booked the
passengers may not be insured.
Private hire vehicles can only be driven by a person who has been
granted a dual driver's licence by Scarborough
Borough Council. They will have an identification badge which
must be clearly displayed.
Vehicles must be tested and inspected before a licence can be
issued to ensure that they are mechanically fit, safe and
comfortable. There is also a further test during the period of the
licence.
Eligibility Criteria
The following person may apply for
a Private Hire Vehicle Licence:
- The proprietor or part proprietor of a vehicle.
Regulation Summary
A summary of the regulation relating to this licence can be
found
here
Application Evaluation Process
An application may take up to 5 working days to
process from receipt of a valid application. Licences are
valid for 12 months and will expire on 31 October every year The
October inspection is part of the annual renewal process.
With the application form you must
include:
- MOT Certificate (Must be no more than 6 weeks old on the date
of your inspection)
- Vehicle Registration Document (Original)
- Current Insurance Certificate (Original)
- Proof of ownership of vehicle (Original)
- Appropriate Fee
There are 3 stages to the application
process:
Stage 1
Submit your application, fee and additional
documents to the Licensing Authority. Documents can be hand
delivered to the Customer First Centre on St Nicholas Street,
Scarborough. We advise that you send any
original documents by Recorded Delivery. They will be returned to
you by Recorded Delivery.
Stage 2
The Licensing Authority will check your
paperwork. Providing all is correct we will contact you to
arrange an inspection date and you will be required to present your
vehicle at King Street, Scarborough. Please note inspections
will not be arranged until all paperwork has been
submitted.
Stage 3
Once the vehicle has passed the inspection
your licence and plate will be issued. You will be contacted
when your licence and plate are ready for collection. We aim
to issue vehicle licences within 48 hours from the date of
inspection but advise this may take up to 5 working days at busy
times. All original documents (Insurance, registration
documents etc) will be returned to you with your licence.
Renewal applications
Renewal applications are sent out by Licensing
Services 8-10 weeks before licence expiry. If you do not
receive your renewal application 6 weeks before expiry, please
contact Licensing Services on 01723 232323 or email
licensing.services@scarborough.gov.uk
to request a replacement to be sent to you.
Will Tacit Consent apply?
No. It is in the public interest that the
authority must process your application before it can be granted.
If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable
period, please contact the council.
Apply for a Dual Drivers Licence
If you wish to apply for private hire vehicle
licence, change the name or address on an existing licence or
request a replacement licence, please download the relevant form
below and complete in full.
Once completed, applications should be sent to the
Licensing Authority, accompanied by the relevant fee and any
required documentation at the following address:
The Licensing Authority, Scarborough
Borough Council, Town Hall, St Nicholas Street, Scarborough,
North Yorkshire, YO11 2HG.
If you have any questions relating to the
application process or how to complete the forms please contact the
Licensing Service on 01723 232323 or email licensing.services@scarborough.gov.uk.
Register
A public register is available online.
If you wish to view the Council's online register please click
here.
You can also view a copy of the register at the Council's Offices
during normal office hours. To make an appointment to view
the registers please contact the Licensing Service on 01723
232323 or alternatively email licensing.services@scarborough.gov.uk.
Failed Application redress
Please contact the Local Authority in the first
instance.
An appeal against a decision may be made by the applicant
within 21 days from the date of receipt of the notification of the
decision to:
Scarborough Magistrates’ Court, The Law
Courts, Northway, Scarborough, YO12 7AE
Consumer Complaint
The Council operates a complaints procedure. To view the
complaints procedure or to make a complaint relating to the service
you have received please click here
Other redress
Should any person have a complaint relating to a licensed
premises or suspect a premises is operating without the required
licence, please contact Licensing Services on 01723
232323 or email licensing.services@scarborough.gov.uk
Trade Associations