Private hire operators are businesses or individuals who are licensed to invite and accept bookings for journeys to be carried out by private hire drivers using private hire vehicles (up to a maximum of 8 passengers). Before any person can operate they must first hold a licence granted by the relevant Licensing Authority. Wirral Council is the Licensing Authority for businesses and individuals operating from Wirral.
Licences will only be granted where the applicant is deemed to be fit and proper, which is established by a number of requirements that must be met. Details of application requirements, as well as the conditions attached to private hire operator licences which must be adhered to can be found in the Statement of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy below.
Fee
A list of fees is included in the policy document below.
Statement of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy
Wirral Council has a policy which is intended to advise and assist applicants and licence holders on the law relating to the operation of hackney carriages (taxis) and private hire vehicles and to the administrative procedures involved in applying for and renewing licences.
The overall policy contains lots of information including the criteria for licensing private hire vehicles, private hire vehicle conditions, and a list of fees and charges.
Read the Statement of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy
Apply
A face-to-face appointment must be made to submit an application for a private hire operator licence. To make an appointment applicants should send an email to taxilicensing@wirral.gov.uk and provide their full name and contact telephone number.
Applicants for the grant of a private hire operator licence must bring the following to the appointment:
- a completed application form
- UK Passport or full UK birth certificate
- Basic DBS Certificate (for each individual applicant or director of business)
- drivers list
- sample of booking records
- sample of door signs
- sample of complaints management system
- licence fee
Please email taxilicensing@wirral.gov.uk if you require further information.