You need a booking office licence for operating premises that take bookings for 4 or more taxis and/or private hire cars.
Conditions
You must have a licence for the premises where the bookings are taken. The licence can be in the name of an individual person, a partnership, limited partnership or limited company. You must also name the person responsible for the day-to-day management of the office.
Once you are licensed, you must keep records of:
- every booking made from your premises
- the registration number of the vehicle hired and the name of the driver for every booking
You must also make sure that the vehicles and drivers you use have the correct licences.
The council may add local conditions for granting or renewing licences.
How to apply
Get an application form from the local council for the area where your business operates. You will have to pay the local fee for a new licence or a renewal.
You must display a notice in or near your premises for 21 days from the date you make your application stating:
- that you’ve made an application for a licence
- the particulars specified in your application
- that any objections to your application must be made to the council, how they must be made and the deadline for doing so
You must then send a certificate to the council stating that you’ve advertised notice of your application.
A licence usually lasts for 3 years, after which you’ll need to renew it, following the same process.
Penalties
The police or local council can inspect your premises at any reasonable time. You must allow them in. You must also be able to produce any records that you should be keeping under the terms of your licence, otherwise you’ll be guilty of a criminal offence.