Step 1 – Read the new vehicle guidance

Private Hire Vehicle 

These can be driven by holders of a private hire driver licence or a dual hackney and private hire driver licence. The driver must work through a licensed private hire operator and can only take bookings pre-booked through the operator. The operator, vehicle and driver licence must be issued by the same authority. You will need to provide the name of the operator you will be working for in your application; the operator must be licensed by Stroud District Council.

Hackney Carriage Vehicle

These can only be driven by holders of a dual hackney and private hire driver licence. The driver can take immediate hires from taxi ranks within Stroud district or the vehicle can be pre-booked through the driver. The driver and vehicle licence must be issued by the same authority. There is no requirement for an operator licence. 

Uber

Do not apply to Stroud District Council if your intention is to work for Uber. If you want to work for Uber, you must apply to a Council where Uber hold an Operator Licence. Uber do not hold an Operator Licence with Stroud District Council. Neighbouring Councils where Uber do have an Operator licence are Gloucester City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council and Cheltenham Borough Council.

Stroud District Council Policies

You can see all our taxi and private hire policies here.

Please look in particular at our vehicle policy document.

Duration of licence 

The licence will be for one-year.

Vehicle Criteria 

The vehicle must be no more 7 years old from the date of first registration on first licensing. Once licenced there is no age or emission limit when renewing the licence.

Wheelchair accessible vehicles are exempt from the above age policy but must be Euro 6 compliant.  Electric Vehicles and Plug in hybrids are exempt from the age policy.

The vehicle must be of a design that will comfortably seat the required number of passengers. We will not normally licence vehicles that are high off the ground and difficult to access the rear seat such as some SUVs.  Please contact the licensing team if you want more advice on vehicle type.

Vehicle registration document

You will need to provide a registration document that is in your name or business name. If you do not yet have the registration document because you have just bought the vehicle, we can accept a bill of sale, an invoice or a credit agreement.

Insurance

You will need to provide a current insurance certificate or cover note. For taxis the insurance certificate will state taxi, hackney carriage or public hire. For private hire vehicles insurance will state private hire.

MOT

The vehicle must have a current MOT unless it is less than 1 year old from date of registration. 

Council Vehicle Test inspection 

All vehicles (including those less than 1 year old)  must be inspected at one of our authorised garages. You will pay the fee for the test direct to the garage.  See list of authorised garages 

Meter and roof sign

All hackney carriages must have meter installed which is set to Stroud District approved rates. They also must have a roof sign that lights up when the vehicle is available for hire.   For private hire vehicles you can have a meter fitted if you wish but if you do you must put up a notice on the meter saying this is a private hire vehicle that must be pre-booked. Private hire vehicles are not permitted a roof sign. See list of approved meter fitters

Photos of the vehicle

You must upload or email photos of the vehicle showing the outside and inside.  We may also wish to inspect the vehicle ourselves. If this is the case, an appointment will be arranged for you to bring the vehicle to the Council Offices

CCTV

If you want to install CCTV that records inside the vehicle you will need to have signage in the vehicle that states that CCTV is in operation.  It is your responsibility to keep all data on your CCTV system secure. You will be the 'data controller' and you must register with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) and provide us evidence of your registration.  You are only permitted to record visually. Continuous audio recording is only permitting if you are working on a school contract through Gloucestershire County Council.  For other work audio recording can only be switched on using a panic switch if the driver feels at risk.

Basic DBS Certificate

Not more than one month old - this will not be required if you hold or are also applying for a hackney carriage or private hire driver licence with Stroud District Council as we will have already checked your criminal record through that licence