Taxi licences

Important News

Hackney Carriage Vehicle/Driver and Private Hire Vehicle/Driver and Operators Fees 2012/13

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

To support local taxi businesses the council has decided to freeze all fees and charges at the same level as 2011/12 and remove some charges.  This confirms the council’s commitment to providing a high quality and cost effective taxi licensing service. Please see the proposed fees and charges for 2012/2013 on Downloads menu on the right.

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We licence two different types of taxis, Hackney Carriage Vehicles and Private Hire Vehicles. Although the public can use both vehicles, there is a difference in the way they are operated and licensed.

Hackney Carriages

• can be hired on the street or at taxi ranks.
• do not need to be pre-booked over the phone, although this is possible.
• display a roof sign that contains the word 'Taxi'.
• have a square WHITE licence plate with the South Oxfordshire District Council logo on the rear bumper of the vehicle with the details of the vehicle.
• public hire motor insurance is required before a licence is issued.

Private Hire Vehicles (sometimes referred to as 'mini cabs')

• MUST be pre-booked through a licensed Private Hire Operator before they can be used.
• are not permitted to have a roof sign.
• display a BLACK rectangular licence plate with the South Oxfordshire District Council logo on the rear bumper with full details of the vehicle.
• Private hire insurance motor insurance is required before a licence is issued.

In South Oxfordshire taxis are not required to use a meter and are therefore allowed to charge a flat rate.  However they must display a fare card and we would advise people to look at the fare card and check what method of charging will be used before they get into a taxi. 
 
If someone feels that they have been incorrectly charged they should note down the driver and company name, which is on display in the taxi; along with the taxi licence number, which can be found on the licence plate at the back of the car.  The licensing team will then investigate the situation further to find out if the correct fare has been charged.

Information for applicants

The council has introduced a new version of application forms from 1 August 2011. Applications must be made using these forms from 1 August 2011.

Go to the taxi forms page for more information and for application forms and guidance on how you can apply for a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle, driver or operator's licence, related services, together with their fees and charges.