Apply for a new Private Hire Operator licence

A Private Hire Operator Licence is issued to an individual or company that offers a service of pre-booking fares. The licence is issued for a maximum period of 5 years.

Please note this page is only a quick guide to assist your application. You must refer to the full terms and conditions in the application pack for full details and guidance on all the licensing criteria and conditions that must be met under ‘Fit and Proper’ person with this Authority.

Download the Private Hire Operator License application pack

Step 1 - Planning permission checks

As part of the process, you need to be able to demonstrate that the premises (Operator) address where you will be based has either planning permissions or confirmation that planning permissions are not required. 

For more information see How to apply for planning permission

Step 2 - Obtain certificates for courses

The Local Knowledge and Safeguarding test is provided by Oxford City Council and the fee is £84.00. This test can be booked and completed at any time and before submitting your full application to the Council. To book please call 01865 252565.

The Safeguarding and Disability Awareness course is provided by Oxfordshire County Council. For the fee and how to book see Safeguarding and disability awareness training courses at Oxfordshire County Council

Step 3 - Prepare all the necessary documents

Prepaing the necessary documents includes completing some forms and generate online codes. 

Documents you'll need to prepare and gather are:

• completed Private Hire Operator Application Form
• completed Business Partner Form (if applicable)
• completed HMRC Tax check code form for each business partner
• completed Right to Work share code form for each business partner (if applicable)
• Local Knowledge and Safeguarding Test pass letter
• Safeguarding and Disability Awareness course certificate
• Basic Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) certificate for each business partner (copy of front and back) - this must be dated no earlier than 28 calendar days before the date you submit the application to the Council
• Evidence of Right to Work in the UK for each business partner (usually a UK/Irish Passport if not completing a Right to Work share code form)

You'll find all forms and how to generate the share codes in our application pack.

Step 4 - Submit the application to the Council

To submit the application to the Council you need to send all documents by email to taxiapplications@oxford.gov.uk.

Please attach all certificates, forms and documents listed in step 2 to the email. You can spread the documents over few emails, as long as they are all sent one after the other.

You will receive an automated response that we have received your application. Once you have submitted your application via email we will assess it. If your application is not complete, we will email you back with the advice on what needs to be corrected or what you have missed. If your application is valid, we will move to the next step.

Step 5 - Make payment and book a Right to Work appointment

We will call you to book a Right to Work appointment and take payment.

We'll use a secure phone line.

You'll need to make payment using a debit or credit card.

Step 6 - Receive the paper licence

Once you have submitted the final documents, the final checks will take few days. Please be patient and wait until we contact you.

Once the licence is issued, we will email your paper licence (counterpart) document.

Related content

• Renew your Private Hire Operator licence