Private hire vehicles are licensed to perform pre-booked work only, which is obtained through a private hire operator.
We will licence any vehicle manufactured or adapted to carry up to 8 passengers (excluding driver) provided it meets the criteria set in the policy.
All vehicles must be in a suitable mechanical condition, safe, comfortable and approved for licensing by the Licensing Authority to operate as a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle. All vehicle proprietors will therefore be required to book an MOT and compliance test on the following occasions:
- New applications
- The replacement of a vehicle
- Twice a year during the licence period
- At the request of the Licensing Authority where deemed necessary
All MOT tests and compliance checks shall be carried out at Scarborough Borough Council’s garage, Dean Road, Depot, Dean Road, Scarborough, YO12 7QS. Please use this link to make an appointment www.scarborough.gov.uk/taxilicensing
See the Vehicle Compliance Testing Handbook for further information.
Vehicle specification
On a new application, the vehicle must be less than 4 years old from the date of first registration.
The maximum age of a vehicle that may continue to be licensed is 8 years from the date of first registration.
When the licensed vehicle reaches 8 years, it shall be permitted to remain licensed until the licence expires provided it continues to be mechanically sound and passes the vehicle licensing inspection.
Wheelchair accessible vehicles must be less than 5 years old from the date of first registration. These vehicles may continue to be licensed until 10 years from the date of first registration. When the licensed vehicle reaches 10 years from the date of first registration, it shall be permitted to remain licensed until the licence expires provided it continues to be mechanically sound and passes the vehicle licensing inspection.
Private hire vehicles may be any colour other than white but must not resemble a London type hackney carriage.
Further information can found in the taxi and private hire policy.
Application procedure
An application can take up to 5 working days to process from receipt of a valid application.
Licences are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
There are 2 stages to the application process:
Stage 1
Once your vehicle has undergone and passed the Scarborough Borough Council MOT and Compliance test, please send us the following:
- Application form
- Vehicle registration document (copy)
- Current insurance certificate (copy)
- Proof of ownership of vehicle (copy)
- Appropriate fee
Please send all applications to:
Licensing Authority, Town Hall, St Nicholas Street, Scarborough, YO11 2HG
We advise that you post your documents to us, however documents can be hand delivered to the Customer First Centre on St Nicholas Street, Scarborough.
Stage 2
Once your application has been validated and processed, we will contact you with a date and time to collect your licence and vehicle plates. If you are unable to collect your licence and plates, we will post them to you.
Replacing your vehicle
The process is the same as applying for a new vehicle licence however the application ask you to state if you are applying for a new or a replacement vehicle. The fee for a replacement vehicle application can be found in the fees list.
Your old plate must be returned to us at your inspection.
Change of details
You must tell us in writing within 7 days of any change of operator.
Changing your vehicle registration number
If you are changing the registration number of your vehicle you must complete an application. This must be returned with a fee and the following information before a new plate and licence can be issued.
- V5 registration document
- V948 number plate authorisation certificate
- current private hire vehicle licence
- private hire vehicle Plate
- insurance certificate showing the new registration
Right of appeal
An applicant aggrieved by the refusal of the Council to grant a private hire vehicle licence or by any condition attached to the grant of such a licence may appeal to a Magistrates Court.