Taxi & Minicab Licences

All Hackney Carriage and Private Hire taxis require a licence to operate.

We issue licences to those wishing to operate a Taxi or Private Hire service within the district. This regulates and ensures standards of safety and service for passengers.

Application Process

Driver

In order to apply for a driver licence you must be over 21 years old, have held a full DVLA drivers licence for a minimum period of 12 months, be a "Fit & Proper" person and be physically and mentally fit.

You will be issued with the following to complete and return:

A Criminal Records Bureau disclosure form - all applicants are subject to this and any offences disclosed (including motoring offences, Cautions, Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABAs)) may be taken into consideration when deciding upon an application. The cost of the check is £44 and non-refundable.
A DVLA mandate to release full details of your driving history. The cost of this is £5 and is non-refundable.
A Lewes District Council Drivers Licence Application Form. The cost of the initial licence is £145.

Following this, should you wish to continue with the application, you must make an appointment to complete the Criminal Records Bureau check and attend at the licensing office supplying the following documents:

Current Passport (if held)
Full DVLA Drivers Licence (if photo licence both card and paper section are required)
Birth Certificate (original copy)
Document or card with details of National Insurance number
Utility Bill, Bank Statement or other correspondence to verify current address

Once the Criminal Records Bureau check has been completed you will be required to present your application form with two references and a medical undertaken by your own family doctor (cost approximately £70 - £150 dependant upon your surgery’s charges).

You will also be required to sit and pass a Knowledge Test of Lewes District Council area, cost £40, and you will need to pass a driving test which is run by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), current cost is £76.34.

Hackney Carriage Vehicles

A vehicle waiting on a rank for hire or picking passengers from the street needs a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence.

In order to obtain a licence you will be required to provide certain information and ready the vehicle in advance:

Pass garage inspection
Supply Public Hire Insurance
Supply a valid MOT Certificate (for vehicles over 1 year old)
Supply and fit a calendar controlled taximeter set to the Lewes District Council fare tariff
Supply and fit a roof sign
Supply and fit a fire extinguisher and first aid kit
The cost of a Hackney Carriage Vehicle licence is £180. The vehicle plate is an additional £30

Private Hire Vehicle

A vehicle that is pre-booked by telephone or at a Private Hire Office needs a Private Hire Licence.

In order to obtain a licence you will be required to provide certain information and ready the vehicle in advance:

Pass garage inspection
Supply Private Hire Insurance
Supply a valid MOT Certificate (for vehicles over 3 years old)
Supply and fit a fire extinguisher and first aid kit

The cost of a Private Hire Vehicle licence is £180. The vehicle plate is an additional £30

Private Hire Operators Licence

Before you can operate a Private Hire vehicle you will require a Private Hire Operator’s Licence the cost of this is £75 for two vehicles and then £25 for each subsequent vehicle.

Vehicle specifications

A vehicle presented for its first licensing shall not be more than 5 years old from date of first registration. Vehicles more than 10 years old will not be re-licensed.

It must be fitted with a minimum of four side doors and have an engine capacity not less than 1290cc. It must be designed to permit the specified number of passengers to be carried in comfort and safety and have adequate luggage space.

Vehicles may be of saloon, estate, hatchback or MPV type but estate vehicles must be fitted with a grill or parcel shelf.

Left-hand-drive vehicles will not be licensed.

Signs & Meters

Once approved, vehicles are required to display a sign on the roof of the vehicle that meets our specifications. We provide guidance on the size and design.

Vehicles must also use an approved meter to record fares. This must be displayed in a prominent position. Lewes District Council after consultation with the trade set maximum fare tariffs.