Every vehicle that is used as a taxi, whether a hackney carriage or private-hire vehicle, must have a licence.
The legal owner of the vehicle, as shown on the bill of sale, hire purchase or lease agreement, must be named as a proprietor on the licence.
Before you apply for a new licence, you should:
- read and understand our taxi licensing policy and handbook
- check the taxi vehicle requirements
- check our taxi licensing fees
Vehicle licences expire after 12 months. You must get your vehicle tested at our garage in Waterbeach before we issue a licence, and again after six months.
It is your responsibility to renew your licence before it expires.
If you are not currently a licensed driver with Cambridge City Council, you must register as a non-driver proprietor.
Application process
It is your responsibility to ensure your vehicle meets our requirements. If you have any questions, you can contact us before you apply.
We will issue your licence and plates when:
- you have completed all steps of the application process
- you have paid all associated fees
- we have assessed and approved your application
- we have received your valid certificate of compliance from the garage
Step 1: Book the first vehicle test
We need to know the date of your first test when you apply for a licence, so book it before you submit your application. You should submit your application five working days before your test, or sooner.
Contact the garage on 01223 458266 to book the test. Appointments are available from 6.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.
You will need to provide the vehicle’s registration number, make and model.
Step 2: Submit your application
In the portal, select the correct vehicle type (refer to taxi vehicle requirements). We will decline any incorrect applications and refund the fee, and you will need to submit a new application.
You will need information from the following documents to complete an online application. You will also need to upload these documents for your application to be deemed complete. Photos of documents or scans are acceptable if you cannot attach digital copies, if all the relevant information is clear. You will need:
- the date of your first vehicle test
- a completed joint proprietor consent form [PDF, 0.1MB], if applicable for any additional proprietors
- a copy of a valid insurance certificate for the appropriate use
- the vehicle’s V5 or new keeper’s slip
- the bill of sale
- the vehicle’s CCTV installation certificate
- proof of your identification
- a copy of the hire-purchase or finance agreement, if applicable
- the Vehicle Type Approval Certificate for converted wheelchair-accessible vehicles, if applicable. This can be either:
- European Community Whole Vehicle (M1) Type Approval
- M1 Low Volume Type Approval
- National Small Series Type Approval
- Individual Vehicle Approval
You need an account to use the portal – you must register if you do not have one. Read our licensing portal guidance to learn how to use the portal, and contact us if you have any problems using it.
Step 3: Attend the first vehicle test
Tests take place at our garage on the Dickerson Industrial Estate on Ely Road in Waterbeach.
When your vehicle passes the test, the garage will give you a certificate of compliance. They will send a copy to us. The certificate will be valid for six months minus one day, from the date of the test.
You must pay the test fee to the garage. You must book a second test to take place before the certificate expires.
If you do not attend the appointment, or cancel less than 24 hours before it is due to start, you might be charged the test fee.
Your vehicle must be clean inside and out. Dirty vehicles will not be examined and you will still have to pay the test fee.
Failed tests
If your vehicle fails the test, the garage will give you a failure sheet listing the non-compliant areas that you must address.
Book a retest to take place after the repairs. This must happen within 10 days of the initial test, or you will need to book a full test instead of a retest.
You must not use the vehicle without a valid certificate of compliance. If you fail a test, we will suspend your taxi vehicle licence and remove your licence plates until you have a valid certificate.
Step 4: Collect your vehicle licence
You must collect your licence in person. We will contact you to arrange an appointment. You must bring photo identification to the meeting.
This will happen within five working days of us receiving the certificate of compliance from the garage. It can take longer if your application did not include all the necessary documents.
At the meeting, you must return the vehicle plates from your previous licensed vehicle, if you have one.
We will arrange for your vehicle details to be added to the bus lane register, which also includes Mill Road restrictions. Note that taxis cannot use the bus gate on Station Road. Instead, turn left onto Tenison Road, then right onto Great Northern Road, then take the second exit to access the pickup and drop off point.
Displaying your licence plates
We will provide a kit to help you affix your licence plates securely to your vehicle.
If you drive a taxi (hackney carriage), you must affix them to the external rear of the vehicle. If you drive a private hire vehicle, you must affix them to the external front and rear of the vehicle.
In both cases, the plates should be easily visible.
Step 5: The second vehicle test
You must have your vehicle tested before your current certificate of compliance expires.
You should have booked your second test at the time of your first test. Contact the garage if you want to cancel or rearrange a test.
When your vehicle passes the test, the garage will give you a certificate of compliance. They will send a copy to us. The certificate will be valid until the expiry date on your vehicle licence.
If your vehicle fails the test, the process is the same as if you failed the first test.
