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Vehicle Licensing

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Vehicle Licensing

You can find the vehicle standards for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles in our Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. You will also find instructions on how to apply, and what documents you need to send with your application.

The policy can be downloaded here: Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing at Worcestershire Regulatory Services.

NOTE: Drivers of hackney carriages can take their own bookings and do not need a private hire operator licence.

Applying for a licence

Applications must be submitted alongside all required documents and the required fee.

Your application can be delivered to an officer during a licensing surgery - see more details on our Licensing Surgeries page.

The vehicle will be inspected by an officer before the issue of a licence to ensure that it complies with the licence conditions.

Download the application forms for vehicle licences:

The fees charged in relation to applying for a licence can be found on our Licensing Fees and Charges page.

Table of fares

Hackney Carriages fares are set by the Council and calculated by a taximeter fitted in the vehicle. Hackney Carriages must be fitted with a taximeter, but it is optional for Private Hire vehicles. The taximeter displays the maximum charge payable for a journey, but drivers are free to charge less than the fee calculated by the taximeter.

The table of fares MUST be displayed in a hackney carriage so that it is visible to passengers.

Hackney Carriage drivers can download a copy of the table of fares:

Table of fares for Hackney Carriages

Description	Tariff one	Tariff two	Tariff three
For the first 1210 metres or 4 minutes 8 seconds, or part thereof	£4.52	£5.76	£7.45
For each subsequent 200 metres or 40 seconds or part thereof (up to a distance of 1610 metres)	£0.23	£0.34	£0.45
For each subsequent 180 metres or 40 seconds or uncompleted part thereof (after a distance Of 1610 metres)	£0.23	£0.34	£0.45

Extra Charges

For each passenger in excess of 4 - £1.00

Where tie interior of the taxi is so soiled by any passenger or animal so as to necessitate the cleansing of the taxi before it used again for public hire - £75.00

Explanation of Tariffs Applicable

Tariff one

For hirings any day except as below

Tariff two

For hirings starting between:
(a) Midnight and 78m on any day
(b) All day on Sundays
(c) 6pm and midnight on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve
(d) All day on offical bank holidays except as below

Tariff three

For hirings started at any time on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day

Download a PDF of the Table of Fares below:

Hackney Carriage Tariff