Hackney Carriages (black cabs)
Hackney Carriage driver licences
If you are interested in becoming a Hackney Carriage driver, please
contact the Licensing Service using the contact details
below.
You will need to provide your Driving Licence. Officers will
examine your driving licence and assess whether you would be
required to attend before the Council's Licensing & Appeals
Committee before a Licence can be granted.
If your driving licence is relatively clean, officers will provide
the relevant application forms. These include the application form,
a Statutory Declaration, DVLA check and a Criminal Records Bureau
(CRB) check. Medical standards and a Knowledge Test will also have
to be completed.
National Fraud Initiative - Fair Processing
Notice
This authority is under a duty to protect the public funds it
administers, and to this end may use the information provided on
Hackney Carriage Driver Licence application forms for the
prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this
information with other bodies responsible for auditing or
administering public funds for these purposes.
For further information see the National Fraud
Initiative page or contact Paul Charlson, Public
Protection and Licensing Manager, on 01695 585246 or email
paul.charlson@westlancsdc.gov.uk.
Hackney Carriage vehicles & licences
To licence a Hackney Carriage vehicle requires a licence that is
renewed every 6 months.
There are two ways you can obtain a Hackney Carriage vehicle:
i) Sometimes currently licensed vehicles are sold on by word of
mouth. Speak to any of the drivers on the Concourse at
Skelmersdale, the main Hackney Carriage stand and see if there are
any licensed vehicles for sale. If you are interested check with
our Licensing Officers as to whether or not there are any special
conditions attached to the licence, or
ii) Alternatively, apply for a "free issue" plate whereby you must
supply a suitable vehicle, which is not more than four years old,
prove you have the finance to purchase and maintain the vehicle,
supply a statement as to why you believe there to be a demand for
another hackney carriage in West Lancashire with particular
reference to the carriage of wheelchair bound and disabled
passengers. Documentary evidence must accompany this statement. If
your application is granted it would be a condition of the licence
that should you replace the vehicle, the replacement vehicle must
be less than four years old at the date of replacement.
Cost of licences
The following are required as part of your application:
- Hackney Carriage driver licence = £53.00
- Group II medical from your family Doctor = £60.00 - £140.00
approx
- CRB check = £36.00
- DVLA check = £5.00
- Statutory declaration from your Solicitor = £5.00 approx
- If you fail the Knowledge Test there is a £10.00 re-sit
fee.
- Hackney Carriage vehicle licence = £122.00 (for six
months)
This fee includes the licence and plates for the vehicle plus
one MOT type inspection test on your vehicle. If it fails the test,
the garage may charge you direct for an additional re-test fee up
to £45.00.
Other miscellaneous fees may apply:
- Transfer of vehicle = £23.00
- Change of vehicle other than renewal = £30.00
- Replacement vehicle plate = £37.00
- Replacement drivers badge = £27.00
- Duplicate plate = £23.00
- Duplicate maintenance schedule = £29.00
Contact us