Information about Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Licences
If you want to make a complaint or send us a compliment about one of our Taxis or Private Hire vehicles or drivers please visit our Comments, Compliment or Complaints page.
Taxis or hackney carriages and private hire vehicles are licensed to ensure that they are suitable and safe for the carriage of the public.
The legislation covering the two is quite different. In brief, a taxi can stand on a rank, be flagged down in the street, or can be booked through one of the many licensed operators. A private hire vehicle can accept pre-booked calls only, cannot rank and cannot be flagged down. If a private hire driver does either of the latter two, you may find that not only do they commit an offence, but their insurance may be also be invalid.
Applicants must undergo a number of checks including a Medical, Driving and Knowledge Tests and a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check before they apply for a licence to drive either a private hire or hackney carriage vehicle. Applicants have to complete the DBS application form in person and this form can only be obtained from Public Protection Services, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness.
Licensed vehicles must be of a certain standard. All vehicles must be tested prior to licensing and once licensed be tested at least twice a year at one of the Council's approved testing stations. They must be clean, comfortable and carry safety equipment such as a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
The proprietor of a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle is required to report an accident to the licensing authority within 72 hours. Accidents must still be reported whether the vehicle was carrying passengers at the time or not. Accident Report Forms are available here: Word Version. or PDF Version.
To apply for a taxi or private hire licence click here for application forms
Links to Hackney Carriage Tariff Fares (upto 4 seated vehicle)
Hackney Carriage Tariff Fares (5-8 seated vehicle)
Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Policy
The Council recognises both the needs of residents and the public at large to have access to safe, convenient and effective taxi services and the importance of this provision to the taxi trade and local economy. This document sets out the policy that the Council will apply when making decisions about new applications and licences currently in force. The policy sets out the normal requirements and standards that must be met. In exercising its discretion in carrying out its regulatory function, the Council will have regard to this policy document.
Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Policy is available here. The policy also implements the Department for Transports Statutory Guidance.
Licence Conditions
Data Protection and Information Sharing for further information please click here.
EU Services Directive
Barrow Borough Council is part of a Europe-wide scheme which aims to break down barriers to cross border trade in services between countries in the EU.
The EU Services Directive has been brought in to make it easier for service providers, particularly small and medium sized enterprises, to offer their services to customers in all EU countries, whether establishing elsewhere in the EU or providing services remotely from the UK.
