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Watford Borough Council
Licence - private hire operators'
A private hire operator's licence is required to enable a person to accept or invite bookings for private hire vehicles.
One person can be licensed and employ/sub-contract an unlimited number of licensed vehicles. However, a licensed private hire driver cannot accept any bookings unless he either holds or works for a licensed private hire operator. An operator may pass a booking to another licensed private hire vehicle operator provided that the operator is also licensed by Watford Borough Council.
Members of the public have initial contact with the operator and make the contract with them even if the operator does not provide the vehicle and/or the driver.
Before an operator’s licence is granted the applicant must satisfy the Council that the address from which they intend to operate is suitable and, where applicable, satisfy any conditions that maybe attached to the licence in order not to disturb the ambience of the area.
If you are a vehicle proprietor you may work for any existing operator. However, if you wish to apply for your own licence to operate from premises which will be used as a booking office, you need to obtain planning permission from the Council allowing use of the building.
A Certificate of Public Liability Insurance is required where the public have access to the premises i.e. waiting room etc. However, where no public access or waiting facilities are provided or if you wish to operate your own vehicle from home, this insurance is not necessary.
Once the application form has been completed, you need to bring or send following documentation to our offices:
- evidence of business registration with HM Revenue and Customs
- basic criminal record disclosure from Scotland
Applications will not be accepted without production of the above.
Once your application has been accepted and the fee has been paid, the Council will consult with the police and other organisations. We will arrange an appointment to inspect the proposed offices.
If the results of the consultations and inspection are satisfactory, a licence will be issued for five years.
An application form for a private hire operators licence can be downloaded from the 'related items' panel.
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