Licence

Private Hire Operator’s Licence

Summary

Any driver of a Private Hire vehicle must operate through a licensed Private Hire Operator.  If you want to run a business as a Private Hire Operator in Bath and North East Somerset you need to obtain a licence from the Council.

Fee

New

• £65 - Application Fee to be charged at time of application (non refundable)
• £70 - Maintenance Fee to be charged prior to issue

Renewal

• £38 - Application Fee to be charged at time of application
• £70 - Maintenance Fee to be charged prior to issue

Payment to be made by card when forms submitted.

Application Form

Applications must be made on forms provided by the Council.  The following will be required on application: 

• Application Form
• Evidence of planning consent, or a letter from the Council’s Development Control team that the premises are authorised for such use.

Electronic application forms are currently being developed.  Please contact Licensing Services if you would like us to send you an application pack.

Eligibility Criteria

A B&NES Private Hire Operator must:

• be a fit and proper person;
• operate from premises located within the district of Bath and North East Somerset; and
• ensure they have any necessary planning permission required for the premises from which they wish to operate.  If this is not produced on the first application, the issue of the licence will be delayed until the application has been referred to the Council’s Planning Services.  The relevant permission must be submitted to Licensing Services in writing.

Application
Process

When you are ready to proceed with your application, please telephone us on 01225 477689 to arrange an appointment to have your application checked by a Licensing Officer.  Postal applications are not accepted.

At least 28 days’ notice must be given to the Council to process the application.  Business must not commence before the licence has been issued.

Objections

Contentious or objected to applications will be referred to the Council’s Licensing Sub Committee for determination.

Right of Appeal 

If you wish to appeal a Council decision to: 

• refuse to grant an application; or
• attach any condition to the licence

you can appeal to Bath Magistrates’ Court within 21 days of being notified of the decision.

A decision of the Magistrates’ Court can be appealed to the Crown Court.

Conditions 

It is a matter for each individual to ensure that they are familiar with all the relevant legislation including the conditions of licence.

• B&NES Drivers and Operators Licensing Conditions and Byelaws
• B&NES Drivers, Vehicles and Operators Licensing Policy

Validity/Renewals

The period of licence will normally be five years, but the Council reserves the right to issue licences for s shorter period should an application be received during the term of a five year period.  The current licence expiry date is 31 October 2016.

Any application to renew a licence received after the current one has expired will be treated as a new application.  If a higher fee is in force for new applications than for renewals, then that higher fee shall be payable.

Guidance 

Please contact Licensing Services for further guidance.

Relevant Legislation

Part II Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

Customer Complaints 

If you wish to make a complaint about an operator, please provide the following information: 

• Name and address of operator
• Time and date of incident
• Other details of incident
• Your name and contact details

Complaints must be in writing or email and marked "For the attention of the Taxi Licensing Enforcement Officer".

Further Information 

Planning Services can be contacted by phone on 01225 394041 or email  Council_Connect@bathnes.gov.uk.  Information is also available on their webpage at http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/planning-and-building-control.  

For further information and guidance please phone Licensing Services on 01225 477689 or email licensing@bathnes.gov.uk.

Additional Contact Details

National Fraud Initiative

This authority is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form within this authority for the prevention and detection of fraud.  It may also share this information with other bodies administering or in receipt of public funds solely for these purposes.  For further information see the Council website and look for the National Fraud Initiative under the A-Z or contact the Information and Governance Team, Guildhall, High St, Bath BA1 5AW email

information_governance@bathnes.gov.uk.