Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence
Hackney Carriage Vehicles are required to be licensed to ensure they are suitable for use by the public.
Hackney Carriage Vehicles sit on taxi ranks and can also be hailed in the street.
A Hackney Carriage Vehicle uses a taxi meter to calculate the correct fare, in accordance with the prescribed Table of Fares for Hackney carriage Vehicles (see Table of Fares). The driver can charge you what price is shown on the meter or under, but never a price over the one stated on the taxi meter at the end of your journey.
The Council operates a strict age restriction policy (see Age Restriction Policy) and, subject to certain exceptions, a vehicle will not be licensed if it is more than five years of age. However, once the vehicle is licensed it can remain licensed until it reaches no more than eight years of age.
A licence is issued for 12 months and vehicles over three years of age are required to undergo twice yearly mechanical tests (fee of £35 payable to Go Plant Fleet Services at the time of the test).
Before a licence can be issued you must book an appointment for a taxi test at:
Go Plant Fleet Services , Whitehaven Commercial Park, Moresby Parks, Whitehaven on telephone number: 01946 517600.
You should take with you the completed application form, vehicle registration document (V5)/Bill of Sale, valid MOT certificate (if applicable) and any other appropriate certificates relating to the vehicle that may be required.
Once the vehicle has passed the taxi test you must then call the Licensing Team, on 01946 598519, to make an appointment to submit your application form, pass certificate and all relevant documents including the payment. The fees are for a new hackney carriage vehicle £151, renewal of a hackney carriage vehicle £131 and for a transfer of a hackney carriage vehicle £166. Payment can be made by cheque, BACS or via a pay point. Please state how you wish to pay when you apply.
Appointment times are on Tuesday mornings only and you will not be seen without an appointment.
If the application is satisfactory, the licence will be issued together with a yellow licence plate which should be kept affixed to the rear bumper of your vehicle for the duration of the licence.
Hackney Carriage Vehicles are also required to display stripes along the complete bottom length of all the doors on both sides of the vehicle, which can be purchased from the Council.
If you need any further information please contact the Licensing Team on 01946 598519 or at licensing@copeland.gov.uk.
Policy on New Hackney Carriage Vehicles
IVA tests for vehicles that have been converted, modified or adapted since first registration
