We can issue a temporary licence for a replacement vehicle if a licensed taxi vehicle cannot be driven because it requires major repairs or has been written off.
The temporary licence is identified by a red vehicle plate. It is valid for a maximum of three months.
The temporary vehicle must be a like-for-like replacement – if the original vehicle is wheelchair-accessible, for example, the replacement must be too.
There is currently no expectation that a temporary vehicle must match the colour or livery of the original, but this will be the case at some point in the future.
Before you apply for a temporary licence, you should:
- read and understand our taxi licensing policy and handbook
- check the taxi vehicle requirements
- check our taxi licensing fees – we do not offer reduced fees for temporary vehicles, even if they are fully electric or have ultra-low emissions
Application process
The proprietors of the taxi company must submit this application – not the vehicle driver.
It is your responsibility to ensure the 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.
Door crests and fare charts
Door crests and fare charts for hackney carriage vehicles are available from the garage, for the appropriate fee.
Operating companies provide crests and charts for private hire vehicles.
Step 2: Submit your application
You will need information from the following documents to complete your 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 temporary vehicle application proprietor consent form [PDF, 0.1MB], which must be completed by each proprietor on the current licence
- a copy of a valid insurance certificate for the appropriate use
- the vehicle’s V5
- the vehicle’s CCTV installation certificate
- a rental or lease agreement in the name of each proprietor of the licence – not the driver
- 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
In the portal, select ‘hackney carriage or private hire temporary vehicle plate’. We will decline any incorrect applications and refund the fee, and you will need to submit a new application. We do not offer reduced fees for temporary vehicles.
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. 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
One of the proprietors of the vehicle must collect the licence in person. We will contact you to arrange an appointment. They must bring photo identification to the meeting and must also return the vehicle plates from the existing licensed vehicle.
This will happen within three 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.
We will arrange for the temporary 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 the licence plates
We will provide a kit to help you affix your licence plates securely to the 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: Surrender temporary vehicle
Depending on the incident, the extent of damage, or other relevant factors, we might request an inspection of the vehicle or photographs of the repairs. If this happens, the proprietor will be contacted to arrange the inspection.
We will confirm whether a further mechanical fitness test is required. If it is, you must submit the certificate of compliance to us as requested. We will only lift the vehicle licence suspension when this is done.
