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.
CRB Enhanced Disclosure Forms
From 1 April 2009, our officers are required to conduct
more stringent checks on all Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Enhanced
Disclosure forms. All applicants must ensure that they complete the
CRB disclosure form correctly. Failure to do so will delay your
application, as officers will not submit any incorrect or
incomplete forms to the CRB.
Independent Safeguarding Authority- vetting and barring
scheme
The Vetting and Barring Scheme aims to
protect children and vulnerable adults by ensuring that people who
are judged to present a risk of harm are not allowed to work with
them. Anyone working closely with children or vulnerable adults,
either paid or unpaid, not part of a family or personal
arrangement, on a frequent, intensive or overnight basis, must
register with the ISA. Generally, 'frequent' means once a week or
more and 'intensive' means on four days or more in a single
month.
Driving a vehicle frequently or
intensively solely for the purpose of conveying children or
vulnerable adults and their carers is a regulated activity under
the Scheme. This includes taxi drivers used by schools and
care homes to transport children or vulnerable adults.
It is the driver's responsibility
to register with the ISA and can be done at the same time as a CRB
disclosure application is made.
This process is currently under
review by the Government - for further information visit the
Directgov
(external link) website.
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, Commercial,
Safety and Licensing Manager, on 01695 585246 or email paul.charlson@westlancs.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 = £59.64
- Group II medical from your family Doctor = £60.00 - £140.00
approx
- CRB check = £44.00
- DVLA check = £5.00
- Statutory declaration from your Solicitor = £5.00 approx
- If you fail the Knowledge Test there is a £12.50 re-sit
fee.
- Hackney Carriage vehicle licence = £276.14 (for 12
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 = £26.50
- Change of vehicle other than renewal = £34.24
- Replacement vehicle plate = £41.97
- Replacement drivers badge = £30.92
- Duplicate licence = £26.50
- Duplicate maintenance schedule = £33.14
Contact us
Use the
Licensing Enquiry Form
Tel: 01695 577177
Email: licensing.enquiries@westlancs.gov.uk