Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy

Buckinghamshire Council (‘The Council’) has responsibility for regulating the hackney carriage and private hire trades under the Town and Police Clauses Act 1847 and Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

This Policy sets out our approach to hackney carriage and private hire licensing to provide transparency and consistency for both those working in the industry, passengers, other road users and members of the public.

The primary and overriding consideration in relation to the licensing of hackney carriage and private hire vehicles is public safety. Public safety includes the safety of drivers, operators, vehicle proprietors and their staff as well as the users of hackney carriage and private hire vehicles and the wider public. The public must have confidence in the safety of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles as a form of transport and as a consequence the highest standards will be expected from all applicants and licence holders.

Hackney carriages are commonly called ‘taxis’, ‘black cabs’ and ‘cabs’. They may be hired immediately in the street or from a taxi rank. In this Policy they are generally referred to as ‘taxis’. Private hire vehicles are commonly called ‘minicabs’. They must always be booked in advance of the journey through a licensed private hire operator. In this policy they are referred to as ‘private hire vehicles’.

Taxi and private hire services are an important part of the transport network in Buckinghamshire. They are essential for passengers with disabilities and residents of rural communities. They also play an important social role in enhancing the public transport system and facilitating social inclusion.

Evidence supports the view that taxi and private hire services can be a high-risk environment for drivers, passengers, and the public. Drivers may be at risk of abuse or assault from passengers. Private hire operators and their call handlers may have contact with children or vulnerable people. They may receive information that could be exploited for criminal purposes. In some circumstances, taxis and private hire vehicles may present a danger to other road users.

This Policy is intended to enable the Council to provide a robust licensing regime which enables the taxis and private hire trades to provide the best possible service to the public with the overriding aim of maintaining and improving public safety.

The objectives of this policy are:

• The protection of the public.
• The maintenance and development of professional and respected hackney carriage and private hire trades.
• Enabling access to an efficient and effective local transport service.
• The protection of our local environment.

The Council aims to improve our environment and air quality by encouraging the use of low and ultra-low emission (such as electric, hybrid or liquefied petroleum gas [LPG]) taxi and private hire vehicles. Unless exceptional circumstances apply, we will not issue new vehicle licences to vehicles unless they comply with 6 emissions standards as a minimum. We also aim to only issue licences to ultra-low or zero emission vehicles for newly licensed vehicles from 2035.

We aim to improve access to wheelchair-accessible transport by maintaining a list of taxis and private hire vehicles with these facilities available on the Council’s website in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. All new taxis must be wheelchair accessible and “grandfather rights” (see definition) for older saloon style taxis vehicles will be phased out from 1st September 2026.

This is the first comprehensive review of the original Policy since it was adopted on 24th February 2021 and implemented from 1st September 2021 to ensure continued alignment with evolving national standards and expectations.

Since the Council first adopted its Policy in 2021, the Department for Transport has updated its Statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards and Taxi and private hire vehicle licensing best practice guidance for licensing authorities in England. At the same time, national attention on safeguarding and clear rules has increased, especially following reports like Baroness Casey’s National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, published in June 2025 and Government’s published response to the recommendations. These changes highlight the importance of strengthening governance, improving safeguarding, and setting out clearer standards within our Policy, whilst also recognising the need to address accessibility by ensuring that wheelchair-accessible vehicles and better access for all passengers remain key priorities.

We will keep this Policy under review at least every five years in line with the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Recommended Standards to ensure that it remains up to date. The Head of Regulatory Services may make minor amendments to this Policy, with the agreement of the Chairman of the Licensing (Public Protection) Committee and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services.

This Policy cannot predict every scenario or set of circumstances that may arise and sometimes it may be appropriate and necessary for us to depart from the Policy. If we do make an exception, we will give full reasons for doing so.

This Policy contains “bright lines” (see Definitions). This approach does not restrict the Council’s ability to make decisions, as every case will be looked at individually and with reference to this Policy.

Where this Policy differs from previous adopted policies, consideration will be given by the Council to licences that were granted or renewed before this Policy was implemented on 1st September 2026. There is no guarantee that any licence will be renewed and the Council will consider all new and renewal applications in the light of this Policy. The fact that a licence has been granted in the past will be taken into account and will be a relevant consideration, but there is no legitimate expectation that any hackney carriage or private hire licence will be renewed. This Policy will also be used to inform action that may be taken against any existing licence.

This Policy does not seek to undermine the right of any individual to make an application and to have that application considered fairly and on its individual merits.

In accordance with the Council’s constitution, decision making under this Policy is delegated to authorised Council officers, ensuring decisions are made efficiently and in line with established procedures.

Prior to the adoption of this updated Policy, a wide range of stakeholders were consulted, including local taxi and private hire operators, drivers, passengers with accessibility needs, disability advocacy groups, and representatives from relevant regulatory authorities. Feedback was also sought from members of the public and interested community organisations to ensure the Policy reflects diverse perspectives and local priorities. Full details of the consultation can be found in the reports presented to the Licensing (Public Protection) Committee, which are published on the Council’s website for public access.

The Council is keen to hear the views of persons who may be affected by this Policy and full consultation will take place before any significant changes are made.

The Policy and associated documentation are available for inspection on the Council’s website and hard copies are available at the Council Offices or by contacting us.

We process personal data to enable us to deliver the licensing service, for taxis and private hire. Our lawful basis is the performance of a task carried out in the public interest / exercise of official authority (public task) set out in law.

Processing enables us to administer applications, undertake enforcement activity and contact customers and users about the service. In the interests of protecting public funds, the Council reserves the right to use information submitted as part of an application, renewal, administration, or compliance/enforcement process for the prevention and detection of fraud and crime.

Data held by us may include:

• name
• address
• telephone number(s)
• email address(es)
• date of birth
• National Insurance number
• driving licence information
• proof of identity
• right to work status
• information about criminal record (including convictions, cautions and fixed penalties)
• whether a licence has ever been refused, suspended or revoked
• information about medical/health conditions
• a photo image
• training undertaken
• warnings/sanctions and related correspondence

This information is required so that applications can be processed and licences granted and to determine whether an applicant or driver is a fit and proper person. Some special category data (for example, health) is processed to meet our statutory obligations.

We collect information via application forms, official documents, correspondence and interviews/assessments, web chat services, My Account, complaints and intelligence reports. We also seek information from third parties where necessary (for example: the Disclosure and Barring Service (‘DBS’), other local authorities and police checks, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (‘DVLA’) checks, and training/test providers). Data is stored in My Account, the taxi licensing service management system(s), and other Council IT systems including email.

We may share information in connection with the prevention of crime, criminal or legal investigations or proceedings (including fraud and the National Fraud Initiative), regulatory functions and safeguarding. We may also share information to ensure the accuracy of data and to protect public funds with other agencies/organisations, local authority departments and/or government departments as allowed by law.

Bodies we may share with include (non‑exhaustive):

• Thames Valley Police and other police forces
• Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (‘DVSA’)
• DVLA
• Home Office
• Department for Transport
• Department for Work and Pensions
• His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (‘HMRC’)
• Department fir Food & Rural Affairs (‘DEFRA’)
• DBS
• AppCheck
• Chiltern Railways
• National Anti Fraud Network (‘NAFN’)
• other government/local authorities
• other Council service areas and Buckinghamshire Council services/providers working on our behalf
• licensed Buckinghamshire Council operators

Where necessary, access to information may occur from overseas countries/territories and will be in full compliance with data protection law. We keep information only as long as necessary to provide the service and in line with relevant legislation/guidance.

Under section 2 of the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022, licensing authorities must share safeguarding or road‑safety concerns with each other and record certain licensing decisions on the National Register of Taxi Licence Refusals, Revocations and Suspensions (‘NR3S’) database operated by NAFN. In accordance with these duties we will:

(i) report safeguarding/road‑safety concerns about drivers licensed by other authorities to the issuing authority;

(ii) record any refusal, suspension, revocation or non‑renewal (based wholly or partly on safeguarding or road‑safety concerns) on NR3S; and

(iii) search NR3S before granting or renewing any driver licence.

We publish public registers for taxi licensing (as required by statutory guidance), available on the Council’s website. Entries may include: licence holder; licence/plate/badge number; licence dates; licensed vehicle details (make/model); operator name; contact name and telephone number for wheelchair‑accessible vehicles.

We do not carry out automated decision‑making within this service.

For more detail on how we process personal data (including your data rights and how to exercise them), please see the Council’s Privacy Policy Notice and the Privacy and taxi licensing page.

Applicant

Person or business who has submitted an application for either a grant or renewal of a licence.

Application

A completed application (including application form and accompanying documents) made by a person (which may be an individual(s), partnership or company) for the grant or renewal of a licence.

Assistance Dog

Defined under the Equalities Act 2010, section 173:

• a dog which has been trained to guide a blind person;
• a dog which has been trained to assist a deaf person;
• a dog which has been trained by a prescribed charity to assist a disabled person who has a disability that consists of epilepsy or otherwise affects the person's mobility, manual dexterity, physical co-ordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects;
• a dog of a prescribed category which has been trained to assist a disabled person who has a disability (other than one falling within section 173(1)(c) of the Equalities Act 2010 of a prescribed kind;

Authorised Council Officer

A Council officer who is authorised by the Council to exercise powers and duties conferred by legislation.

Bright lines

Licensing authorities can set strict rules in their policies. For example, they might say, “We will never grant a licence to someone with a certain type of conviction.” This is called a 'bright line approach'—drawing a clear line that says “never.” However, even if the policy says “never,” it is still just a policy—not a law. This means the authority is not absolutely bound by it. The authority still has the legal power (discretion) to make exceptions if there is a good reason.

Certificate of Good Conduct

A certificate of good conduct is an official document from an overseas authority confirming a person’s criminal record status. It is particularly important for individuals who have lived abroad because a UK DBS check does not usually include convictions recorded in other countries, so the certificate helps fill any gaps in their criminal history.

Conditions

Conditions of licence imposed by the Council to a driver’s licence, an operator’s licence or a vehicle licence. Non-compliance of the licence conditions can lead to penalty points being imposed or action against the licence

Council

Buckinghamshire Council. In this policy document, the term "Council" may also be used to refer to the Council in its role as “Licensing Authority” or the Council’s “Licensing Service”, depending on the context.

Cross-border hiring

Cross‑border hiring is the lawful practice of a private hire vehicle (PHV) licensed by one authority undertaking bookings that start or finish in another area, provided the driver, vehicle and operator—the statutory “trinity of licences”—are all licensed by the same authority. This framework, sometimes described as a “right to roam,” allows operators to accept or subcontract bookings across boundaries, and courts have generally regarded such activity as permissible where the trinity is in place.

Date of First Registration

The date of first registration on the vehicle’s V5 log book issued by the DVLA.

DBS - Disclosure & Barring Service.

The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) is a government organisation responsible for processing criminal record checks in England and Wales, helping employers make safer recruitment decisions.

Evidence of a valid enhanced DBS check is required for individuals applying for a private hire or taxi driver licences. This check provides detailed information on an applicant’s criminal history, including spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and any information held by local police that is considered relevant to the role. Applicants for operator or vehicle licence are required to provide evidence of a basic DBS, unless they are an existing Buckinghamshire Council licensed taxi or private hire driver.

Declaration

When applying for a licence with Buckinghamshire Council, the declaration is a legally binding statement in which the named applicant confirms that all information provided in the application is accurate and complete. The applicant is required to personally sign the declaration, thereby accepting responsibility for the truthfulness of the submission and acknowledging potential legal consequences should any information be found false or misleading.

Driving licence

Driving licence issued by the DVLA. Drivers applying for a hackney carriage or private hire driver licence with the Council must have held a full GB DVLA driving for at least 12 months prior to applying.

DVLA

The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) is the government body that maintains driver and vehicle records in the UK. Its core tasks include issuing driving licences and managing vehicle registration and taxation.

DVSA

The DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) is the UK government agency responsible for making sure drivers and vehicles meet safety and environmental standards. Its core work includes conducting driving tests, regulating MOT testing, and carrying out roadside vehicle and driver compliance checks. (Replaced the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (‘VOSA’) in 2014).

Fare Card

A card which must legally be displayed in Taxis that are fitted with a taximeter which indicates the maximum authorised fare to be charged for distance travelled, waiting time and additional charges determined by the Council under section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and the licence plate number. This is issued by the Council.

Grandfather Rights

The term grandfather right refers to a policy or rule that allows existing holders of a licence or privilege to continue operating under previous rules, even after new regulations or standards have been introduced. This means that individuals or vehicles that were compliant with the former requirements are permitted to maintain their status, despite changes that would otherwise require new applicants to meet updated criteria. For example, under the first Buckinghamshire Council Policy “grandfather rights” allowed owners of saloon-style Hackney Carriage vehicles—who were licensed prior to the introduction of the Policy under different historical policy requirements to continue using these vehicles, even though the Council implemented a policy requiring all new Hackney Carriage vehicles to be wheelchair accessible.

Hackney Carriage Vehicle

A vehicle licensed under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 often referred to as a “taxi”, both terms are used within this Policy. The maximum number of passengers that it can be licensed to carry is 8.

Hirer

Any person or persons who from time-to-time hires or books the vehicle

Legislation

Acts of Parliament, Secondary legislation and decisions of the senior courts, Supreme Court, European Court of Justice and European Court of Human Rights.

Licensing Authority

The licensing function within Buckinghamshire Council, which includes responsibility for regulating the hackney carriage and private hire licensing regime.

Licensing (Public Protection) Committee

The Council’s Committee which has responsibility for taxi and private hire vehicle licensing matters as set out in the Council constitution. Its main role is to develop, review and adopt the Policy and set licence fees.

Licensed Driver

A driver licensed either under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to drive a Taxi or under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to drive a Private Hire vehicle. Dual licensed drivers are authorised to drive both types of vehicle.

Licensed Operator

A person, persons or company holding a licence to operate private hire vehicles issued pursuant to Section 55 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. A private hire operator's licence is required to enable a person to accept or invite bookings for private hire vehicles.

Licensee(s)

The person(s) or company/firm named in the licence, also often referred to as the ‘licence holder’.

Licence Plate

The plate that licensed vehicles must display showing the licence number, maximum number of persons to be carried, expiry date, vehicle registration number, and make and colour of vehicle.

Licensing Service

The service area within Buckinghamshire Council responsible for many of the Council’s licensing functions including taxi and private hire vehicle licensing matters.

Licensed Vehicle

Vehicle licensed under Town Police Clauses Act 1847 as a Hackney Carriage or licensed under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 as a private hire vehicle.

Operator

See licensed operator

Policy

This Policy document and all associated documents.

Private Hire Vehicle

A vehicle designed to carry less than 9 passengers licensed by Buckinghamshire Council under the section 48 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, which is not a hackney carriage or public service vehicle. See also section 80(1) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

Proprietor

Registered owner or part owner of a vehicle.

PSV

Public Service Vehicle. A motor vehicle which is adapted to carry more than eight passengers and is used for carrying passengers for hire or reward; or a vehicle not so adapted, is used for carrying passengers for hire or reward at separate fares in the course of a business of carrying passengers.

Statutory Standards

The Department of Transport Statutory Standards are national safeguarding rules issued under the Policing and Crime Act 2017. Licensing authorities must have regard to them, and they set out recommended measures designed to protect children, vulnerable adults, and the wider public by ensuring strong, consistent safety standards in taxi and private hire licensing.

Taximeter or meter

Device used for calculating the fare to be charged for the journey by measuring distance travelled plus any time waiting. This must be fitted in all hackney carriage vehicles and may be fitted in private hire vehicles.

WAV

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. A vehicle suitable for carrying wheelchair-bound passengers.