Hackney Carriages (Taxis) and Private Hire Vehicles
The council has a duty to license vehicles, drivers and operators who want to work in the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire trade within the borough of Welwyn Hatfield
The various Acts covering Hackney Carriage, Private Hire and Private Hire operators are complex pieces of legislation. The information provided on this page is to assist existing members of the trade and help guide new members.
Contact the Hackney Carriage office on 01707 357982/3 if you need any further advice.
High standards
The primary purpose of the legislation regarding Hackney Carriage and Private Hire matters is to protect the public from using dangerous vehicles driven by unsuitable drivers.
The general standard of licensed vehicles and drivers in Welwyn Hatfield borough is high. This is mainly due to the good work done by the majority of drivers and operators within the trade. There are, however, some who do not meet the standards shown by the majority. Such unacceptable behaviour should not be tolerated by the trade and will not be tolerated by the Hackney Carriage office.
Guidance
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council is responsible for the licensing of: - Hackney Carriage Vehicles and Drivers
- Private Hire Vehicles and Drivers
- Private Hire Operators
The authority for doing so was adoption of Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, The Town Police Clauses Act 1847, and Section 171 of The Public Health Act 1875.
Vehicle Requirements
The Acts require that the Council must be satisfied that the vehicle is:
- suitable in type, size and design for use as a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire vehicle
- in a suitable mechanical condition
- safe and comfortable.
Private Hire Vehicle Requirements
Private Hire vehicles must not be of such design or appearance as to lead any person to believe that the vehicle is a Hackney Carriage. They must:
- display yellow oval signs, with the vehicle number and council logo on the rear passenger doors
- have a rear yellow licence plate on the exterior of the vehicle and an internal plate displayed in the bottom left of the windscreen
- they cannot be silver in colour.
Hackney Carriage Vehicle Requirements
Hackney Carriage vehicles must:
- be of all silver colour
- display green, round signs with the vehicle number and council logo on the rear passenger doors
- have a rear green or maroon licence plate on the exterior of the vehicle and an internal plate displayed in the bottom left of the windscreen.
Other Requirements
Any vehicle used as a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire vehicle must
- have in force a policy of insurance in relation to the use of that vehicle
- they must be driven by a licensed driver at all times
In addition to the statutory requirements, the borough council may attach to the grant of a licence such conditions as the council consider reasonably necessary. The conditions are found in the application packs below or supplied by the Hackney Carriage office. A copy of the revised terms and conditions was supplied to all drivers in August 2007.
In respect of the issue of driver’s licences, the Act of 1976 requires the council to be satisfied that each applicant is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence prior to its grant. Conditions relating to the grant/renewal of drivers licenses can be found in the application packs.
Application Packs
You can download the application packs required below as either pdf or word documents.
Driver Application Pack
driver pack pdf document or driver pack word document
Vehicle Application Pack
vehicle pack pdf document or vehicle word document
Operators Application Pack
operators pack pdf document or operators pack word document